If you are looking to expand your youth leadership training or increase attendance while using limited resources, then partnerships are a great way to go.
If your program has a lot in common with other organizations - such as you are working with a limited budget, staff, or supplies - you may benefit from participating in a partnership with a complementary organization.
Partnerships Add Strength and Resources to Your Program
A partnership is where a program such as at a school or community center combines resources with another entity in order to help meet each others' needs. Partnerships can bring great benefits such as:
additional resourcesstrengthmore credibility
A great reason for taking part in a partnership would be if you would like to increase youth participation numbers, for example, but have maximized your internal resources. This means that you may not be able to hire more staff, buy more supplies, or get the use of a larger building. In this situation, it may seem like your program cannot expand or reach more youth.
However, by using a partnership, you can combine efforts with another program or organization (such as another school or youth organization) that does have these resources, and be successful in increasing your participation numbers.
Three keys to building successful partnerships:
Create them with organizations that have a common purpose. In this way, you know that your interests are aligned and it is easier to have the same mission.
Form them with reputable organizations in order to build goodwill in your community and build the reputation of your own program.
Provide at least equal value to your partnering organization. This way, you ensure that you are holding up to your part, and are benefiting them as well.
Here is an effective way to go about seeking and creating a partnership:
Research potential partner organizations on the web, through networking, associations, etc.
Contact one of them and ask to speak with the director or coordinator
Introduce yourself, and give a description of your organization's mission and programs
Tell the director or coordinator what you like about his or her organization, ask about their programs, and ask to discuss the possibility of a partnership
Emphasize what your organization can bring to the potential partnership, and give the person a clear vision or idea of what the program would be like (you should prepare a vision of the program or activity before contacting him or her)
If the director or coordinator is receptive to the idea, and a partnership seems beneficial to both parties, set up a meeting.
Thank the director or coordinator and send him or her an appreciative e-mail and confirmation of the meeting. (Include a link to your website, if you have one, and any additional relevant information)
This outline should help you on your path to finding and creating a successful partnership.
It is important to see your partner as an equal, and not just use its resources for your own benefit. You need to make sure that you bring equal resources and benefits into the partnership in order to ensure its success.
You also need to cover any potential problems at the outset, to prevent difficulties and a possible separation later on.
Creating Partnerships is Not Difficult
You should not be afraid to seek and create partnerships. They are not as difficult to create as they may seem, and they can bring your youth leadership program added strength, a better reputation, more resources, and a higher level of participation.
What's more, they can also help you to become more connected in the community. Partnerships can be very beneficial, and are a great solution for teen leadership programs working with limited resources!
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