Shelly Griswold, Senior Community Development Specialist from Fehr Graham presents to the Rural Community Pavilion on building community partnerships. Griswold provides solid steps to overcome territorialism, lack of focus, and mistrust to capitalize on complementary resources and skills, effectively and efficiently complete projects, and satisfy funders to better serve your community.

1. Building and Sustaining
Community Partnerships

2.  To better serve your community / agency /
clients / residents / stakeholders
 To maximize limited resources
 To capitalize on complementary resources
and skills
 To more effectively and efficiently complete
projects
 To satisfy funders
Why Build Community
Partnerships?

3. Barriers to Community
Partnerships
 Turf Issues
 Build trusting,
respectful
relationships
 Clearly delineate
roles
 Ensure mutual
benefit
 Keep focus on
benefitting those you
serve

4. Barriers to Community
Partnerships
 Bad Blood
 Past experiences,
challenging
relationships
 Clear the air
 Set clear
expectations
 Who can be a
moderating
influence?

5. Barriers to Community
Partnerships
 Equality and Equity
 “Professional” and
“non-professional”
partners
 Recognize and respect
diverse contributions
 Clear, equitable
decision-making
process
 Honor those who are
impacted the most
 Offer information and
education

6. The WHO of Community
Partnerships
 Who belongs at the
table?
 Experience
 Leadership
 Knowledge
 Diversity
 Stakeholders
 Connections
“If you don’t have a
seat at the table,
you’re probably
on the menu.”
- Elizabeth Warren

7. The WHY and HOW of
Community Partnerships
 WHY? Your vision
 Your dream for the
future
 Clear and inspiring
 HOW? Your mission
 What are you going
to do?
 How are you going to
do it?
 Align with vision

8. The WHAT of Community
Partnerships
 What PROBLEM are
you trying to solve?
 What RESULTS do you
aim to achieve?
 What RESOURCES and
RELATIONSHIPS will
you need?
 WHOM are you
serving?
 What is your ACTION
PLAN?

9. Sustaining Community
Partnerships
 Always remember those
whom you serve
 Be inclusive
 Be intentional
 Communicate well and
often
 Focus on building trust
and respect
 Celebrate success
 Respect diverse
contributions

10. Example 1: Brownfields
Partnerships
 Local, state, federal
government
 Health department
 Economic development
agencies
 Residents and business owners
 Convention & Visitors Bureau
 Downtown Development
 Environmental Groups
 Education providers
 Financial institutions

11. Example 2: Youth Recreation
 Children and teens
 Residents
 Park district
 Boys & girls club
 YMCA
 Schools and educators
 Local, state, federal
government

12. Example 3: Housing Rehab
 Residents and homeowners
 Contractors
 Housing agencies
 Apprentice programs
 Building training programs
 Community college
 Financial institutions
 Grantors
 Local government

13. Your Examples