What is a Collaboration?

Community-based collaboration refers to the process by which citizens, agencies, organizations, and businesses make formal work together to share information and resources in order to accomplish a shared vision.

Elements of Collaboration

Key components of the collaborations are sharing both information and resources as well as having a shared vision. In times of increasing demands and limited resources it is almost impossible to accomplish tasks or goals by only relying on one's own resources. Therefore collaboration offers possibilities for maximizing what they can accomplish.

The Goal of Collaboration

The goal of collaboration is to bring individuals and members of communities, agencies, and organizations together in an atmosphere of support to systematically solve existing and emerging problems that could not easily be solved by one group alone. Collaboration provides shared decisions and opportunities to examine efficient ways to address common issues, and reduce duplication of cost and effort.

Advantages of Collaboration

Collaboration has been found to have immediate and long-term effects as well as direct and indirect effects (Iowa State University Extension, 1992). In other words, while some of the benefits may not be seen right away, it is possible that there will be some benefits that appear later. Some of the potential benefits from collaboration include:

  • Effective and efficient program delivery
  • Improved Professional Development
  • Improved communication (which leads to more consistent and reliable information to clients, an increased use of programs, more public support, better understanding of policy and legislative issues, better direction given to clients, and improved evaluation of programs)
  • Elimination of duplication
  • Increased use of programs
  • Improved public image
  • Better need assessment
  • Consistency of information; and
  • Increased availability of resources (new staff, new knowledge, new equipment and facilities, and new services).

Challenges to Collaboration

  • Participants or groups may not be receptive to new ideas or to sharing resources
  • Decision-Making Processes- the need to determine how decisions will be made such as consensus, majority rule, or some other method
  • Limited Resources-groups may feel restricted within their collaboration because of limited funding and the inability to obtain new resources
  • Dropping Out-group members may feel compelled to resign from the collaboration if conflict over policy occurs
  • Reduced Participation- group members or organizations that are going through a crisis may reduce collaborative involvement
  • Broad Representation--Groups should work to gain an appropriate cross-section of partners within the community that are interested in the issue
  • Communication-groups should maintain open and frequent communication so that all individuals and organizations feel included
  • Solid Leadership--Groups that engage a facilitator or maintain strong leadership have a greater likelihood of success

Characteristics of Successful Collaborations

  • Partners have clearly and specifically defined outcomes and benchmarks
  • Partners are committed to improving one or more conditions within the community for the long run
  • Partners are willing to define their commitment and specific role
  • Partners are willing to ask for information, resources, skills, and authority
  • Partners support each other and acknowledge (give credit to) citizens and systems outside the group that support and help the collaboration
  • Partners are open to and accepting of change and adjustment.
  • Partners acknowledge, understand, and share in risk taking
  • Partners do not come to the table with preconceived notions of the "right way to solve a problem"
  • Partners monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the collaboration

Principles for Successful Collaboration

  • Start with unifying purpose - The purpose may need to be broad enough to bring in enough people with energy, imagination, commitment, resources, and creativity, to generate success. Sometimes the purpose may also be very specific and narrow when the energy, imagination, commitment, and creativity, are sufficient. Start with two or three or a small group of people who have passion for the purpose.
  • Create and maintain community visioning - Create short and concise Mission and Vision Statements, and possibly a strategic plan. Be willing to update and change as the need arises.
  • Set goals and objectives - Goals are where you want to go. Objectives are how you are going to get there. Goals should be specific, measurable, observable and achievable.
  • Leadership -Someone needs to be responsible for facilitating, moderating, and managing the meeting and discussion. Strive to promote inclusive and shared leadership.
  • Coordination - Organize - Strive to increase communication among collaboration partners. Hold regular, consistent mutually beneficial, constructive, profitable, informative, and brief meetings. Disseminate information to everyone in the collaboration. Maintain strong and consistent communication with stakeholders outside of the coalition/collaboration.
  • Consider logistical needs - Consider parking, transportation, acoustics, and childcare, when required. Access and comfort should also be considered. Accommodate needs of individuals with disabilities. Be sure there are adequate restrooms, water.
  • Encourage Shared Ownership - create and encourage participation of everyone in the collaborations. Motivate and give credits for success. Promote and value diversity of views, promote democratic process of resolving conflict.
  • Celebrate Success - Recognize, acknowledge and rewards success.
  • Consider Robert's Rules of Order - Underlying these rules are three fundamental principles:

            - Everyone needs to be treated with dignity and respect

            - Everyone needs to be heard

            - All of the information need to clear to everyone

 Sources:

1. Dawn Ramsburg (1997). http://npin.org/

2. Iowa State University Extension. (1992). How to build coalitions.

3. How to Build Community Collaboration

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