Partnering resources (incl. MoU)
Partnering and networking with other organisations is important for the success and sustainability of many community information and communications projects, and for building social capital and community capacity. This page links to useful partnering resources.
Partnering resources in the UK
- The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Hub is a group of voluntary sector organisations who have come together to plan and deliver a co-ordinated framework of ICT guidance, good practice, advice and support for voluntary and community organisations, accessible at a local level. They are an interesting example of partnership in action: http://www.ictconsortium.org.uk/partnership.htm
- The Compact is the agreement between government and the voluntary and community sector in England to improve their relationship for mutual advantage and work better together for the communities they serve.
http://www.thecompact.org.uk/
- Ourpartnership.org.uk promotes best practice for individuals and organisations working in partnerships between the voluntary and public sectors. They offer a free newsletter, discussion boards, news, features and guidance.
http://www.ourpartnership.org.uk
The Partnership Handbook, Human Resources Development Canada
Strong, viable partnerships don’t just happen. They need to be understood, properly developed and well maintained. The objectives of this book are to help people learn more about what partnerships are and to offer suggestions about how to be effective in them. It provides tools and tips to enhance partnerships, and outlines what is needed to move forward together.
A Facilitator's Guide is also available which can be used to facilitate discussion among people interested in forming partnerships or among members of existing partnerships. The Guide contains a series of exercises plus a role play.
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/sid/cia/partnership/handbook.shtml
A Six-Step Development Framework to Build Successful Alliances, Coalitions and Partnerships,
Joan M. Roberts MA (added 25/10/2005)
This short paper on the "Online Community Organizing and Development" website was written by a development consultant combining her experience in politics and grass roots organizations with research into a simple framework for building "trans-organizational systems" - the kind of multi-organizational systems everyone was calling alliances, coalitions and partnerships.
http://comm-org.wisc.edu/papers2005/roberts.htm
Putting Pen to Paper (added 18/10/06)
This document has been produced in co-operation with Waitakere City Council and focuses specifically on the development of partnership agreements. While the focus is on interagency working between central and local government many of the principles will apply more widely.
http://www.localcentral.govt.nz/COPwebsite.nsf/Files/PentoPaper/$file/Pen%20to%20Paper.pdf
Local Partnerships and Governance: Strengthening Communities through Local Partnerships, University of Auckland, Waitakere and Christchurch City Councils
Strengthening Communities through Local Partnerships is a research project that aims to examine and document the overall range, scope and effectiveness of local partnerships, with particular reference to New Zealand. This in turn will underpin opportunities to strengthen local partnerships in New Zealand.
This site has many New Zealand research papers looking at various aspects of partnering.
http://www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/lpg/index.cfm
Simple agreement template (Added 9/11/05)
You can download and adapt this 'Memorandum of Understanding' template for your partnerships. This "MoU" is a simple agreement to document understandings and responsibilities. Such documents are very valuable for capturing the essence of a partnership and mode of working.
This format has been used to document several agreements; it is intended to document intent, not to be a legal document.
Click on the image to download:
See Downloading Documents if you need help.
Endearing Myths, Enduring Truths: Enabling Partnership Between Business, Civil Society And The Public Sector, Knowledge Resource Group, Business Partners for Development, 2001
Business Partners for Development (BPD) was established to study, support, and promote strategic examples of partnerships involving business, civil society and government working together in and for communities around the world.
Their publication includes a useful table of "Endearing Myths, Enduring Truths" about what work in partnerships.
Online at http://www.bpdweb.com/myth_prev1.htm or
See Downloading Documents if you need help.
Partnering Programme, Fujitsu New Zealand
Fujitsu have developed a methodology for business partnering. Their business focused 'Partnering Program' aims to turn good intentions into reality and provides a framework to ensure business objectives are achieved in a cooperative and effective way. The program addresses the elements that are common in any successful relationship.
Introductory information is available at:
http://www.fujitsu.com/nz/about/partnering/