How to Build Enduring Partnerships for Volunteer Efforts

Finding partners for club-based volunteer efforts can be a daunting undertaking. Asking the following questions will help determine the opportunities for partnership building, and aid in strategizing about how to proceed with a project.

Assessment: Who am I and what do I offer?

A little soul-searching is the first part of the partnership development process. You need to determine your group's strengths and weaknesses, your goals and your capacity to realize those goals. Your strengths may enable you to help other entities reach their goals. Your weaknesses serve as a list of characteristics to seek in potential partners. Utilizing the strengths, capabilities or resources of others is an efficient way to reach your goals and vice versa.

Collaboration: Are we a good fit?

Get out there and start talking about potential volunteer projects in your community. Set meetings with potential partners and figure out what makes them tick. What are they struggling with, and what direction would they like to go in the future? Share information about your club, your strengths, and find out where the potential to lend a hand exists.

Commitment: We can make this work, right?

Assuming you have developed a potential partnership, it's time to plan a joint project. Set down in writing who will bring what to the table, the schedule you're aiming for, and a plan for future projects. The goal is to maximize the power of the partnership. Be honest, open and trusting - it's the foundation for moving forward. Make every effort to over-deliver on the services you've pledged.

Action: Getting down to business

It's time to make things happen. Be flexible - problems will arise and the strength of the partnership will be tested. Communication during and after the process will make the next step more successful and the partnership will gain strength.

The Partnership Document: A Prenuptial Agreement

Many partnerships depend on documents such as a Memoranda of Understanding or Agreement (MOU or MOA) to direct the responsibilities of each participating party. While sometimes formal on the surface, these ground rules provide clarity on the nature of the relationship, and a record for the future. They are often key to a lasting partnership. Tips to developing these documents include:

K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple, Stupid):

Create a document that is easy to understand for all parties involved. If you need more than one or two pages to outline the partnership, the terms of the partnership might need to be revisited.

Use the 4 W's:

Make sure the document covers the Who (partners), Why (purpose), What (responsibilities of each partner), and When (duration of the agreement).

Divorce Statement:

Include a clause that allows any party to formally opt out of the agreement if other parties' responsibilities are not being met. This will keep the partnership professional rather than personal or emotional, and if broken still provides a template for a new partnership in the future.