How can you ensure all partners align with community outreach goals?

1 Identify common goals

Before you reach out to any potential partner, you need to have a clear idea of what your community outreach goals are and how they align with your mission and values. Then, you need to research and identify partners that share similar goals and have complementary strengths and resources. For example, if your goal is to increase literacy among low-income children, you might partner with a local library, a school district, a bookstore, and a literacy nonprofit. By finding partners that have common goals, you can create a mutually beneficial relationship that serves the community and enhances your reputation.

2 Communicate effectively

Communication is key for any partnership, especially when it involves community outreach. You need to communicate your expectations, roles, responsibilities, timelines, budgets, and feedback mechanisms with your partners clearly and regularly. You also need to listen to their input, concerns, and suggestions, and be open to compromise and adaptation. Communication can take various forms, such as emails, phone calls, meetings, reports, newsletters, and social media. You should use the most appropriate and accessible channels for your partners and your audience, and avoid jargon, acronyms, and assumptions.

3 Build trust and respect

Trust and respect are essential for any partnership, especially when it involves community outreach. You need to show your partners that you value their contribution, expertise, and perspective, and that you are committed to working together for the common good. You can build trust and respect by being transparent, honest, accountable, and supportive. You can also show appreciation and recognition for your partners' work, such as by sending thank-you notes, highlighting their achievements, and inviting them to events. Trust and respect can also be fostered by creating opportunities for social interaction and relationship building, such as by hosting informal gatherings, icebreakers, and team-building activities.

4 Evaluate and improve

Evaluation and improvement are crucial for any partnership, especially when it involves community outreach. You need to measure and monitor the outcomes and impact of your partnership activities, and use the data and feedback to assess what works and what needs improvement. You should also involve your partners in the evaluation process, and solicit their opinions and suggestions on how to enhance the partnership and the community outreach. Evaluation and improvement can be done through various methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, and analytics. You should also celebrate and share your successes and challenges with your partners and your audience, and acknowledge the lessons learned and the areas for growth.

5 Nurture and sustain

Nurturing and sustaining are vital for any partnership, especially when it involves community outreach. You need to maintain regular contact and communication with your partners, and keep them informed and engaged with your partnership and your community outreach. You should also look for ways to expand and deepen your partnership, such as by exploring new opportunities, challenges, and goals, and by inviting new partners that can add value and diversity to your partnership and your community outreach. Nurturing and sustaining can also be done by renewing and revising your partnership agreements, and by ensuring that your partnership is aligned with your mission, values, and vision.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?