Stimulating collaboration and setting the ground rules

Abstract

A meeting model, prepared for a Virginia's Commission for National Service conference, was aimed at stimulating collaboration among the various parties who were developing a Unified State Plan. Project TASC shared this effective practice, which illustrates that as multiple organizations work together toward a common goal, there are some fundamental ground rules to consider.

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Issue

Bringing diverse people and interests around the table to meet a common goal is a challenge faced by many across the service network.

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Action

In order to bring organizations together to work toward a common goal and make the collaboration successful:

• Articulate a shared vision — all parties know what they want to achieve .
• Secure effective leadership — individuals who can keep the collaborative project on track while letting all share in discussions and planning.
• Appreciate cultural differences — consideration and understanding of various points of view and approaches to the goal.
• Hold individuals and the group accountable — who is responsible for what efforts ?
• Set agreed upon timeframes — collaborations can flounder when there is "all talk and no action."

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Context

A collaboration can be defined as a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship, which involves people from different agencies or sectors of the community joining together to achieve a common goal. Usually, that goal could not be achieved as efficiently (or at all) by any individual organization.

Virginia's Commission for National and Community Service (Virginia Commission), in partnership with the federal Corporation for National and Community Service Virginia State Office, the Virginia Department of Education and other appropriate organizations in the state, develops a three-year plan for service in Virginia.

The Unified State Plan (USP) describes the broad vision for promoting national service and volunteering and for building a solid infrastructure of high quality programs and support services in the Commonwealth.The plan utilizes a model of communication, cooperation, coordination, and collaboration. The end goal is that all parties work more closely under the framework of supporting and assisting each other by matching up assets with needs.

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Outcome

The result of an effective collaboration is a highly-shared endeavor in which members eventually commit themselves as much to the common goal as to the interests of their own organizations.

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Posted On

February 17, 2000

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