Collaboration and Networking to increase resources:
Community members often have creative ideas to service their population. As a member of the community they have a keen understanding of that population’s need. Collaboration is essential in the case of an individual or a new start community based organization (without a 501 c3 status) wanting to provide a program or service. The best strategy in this case would be for them to find an existing 501c3 status organization that is already servicing the population they wish to serve and working with them. Often, individual and organizations (non-profit and profit) utilize an existing 501c3 as their fiscal agent. As the fiscal agent, the organization will use their 501c3 status to gain eligibility to apply for grants and charge an administrative fee (5 – 15%, depending on what is allowable).
Formal collaboration, such as this, requires a memorandum of understanding (memorandum of agreement) between all parties. Although there are two primary collaborators in this case some collaborative efforts consist of multiple parties. All parties need to be listed in the understanding/agreement with their responsibilities (programmatic and fiscal) detailed in the document. Once an understanding/agreement is drafted and suitable, all parties’ statutory agent must sign and make the document effective. The document serves as a legal document, proof of collaboration to the potential funder, and as a reference document for all collaborative partners.
“IRON SHARPENS IRON”
by - Tina Turner-Myers,
Grant Writing, Program Development, Networking, and Community Mobilization Consulting
e mail: ttmconsult@aol.com – www.ttmcommunitysolutions.com
Proverbs 27:17, states “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Collaboration and networking is the key to success. Sometimes, human nature tells us to work in isolation so that we can have all the glory, but the Bible tells us to work collaboratively. Through collaboration and networking, I believe that God gets the glory when His people come together and share their talents toward one goal. When we work together (like the body), we are much stronger and have reinforcements when one part is temporarily weak.
It is my belief that we are all made for greatness and to uplift one another. It is also my belief that self esteem is what allows a person to believe that they have something worthy to give in a collaborative effort and/or a conversation. As a business/community leader, you can find different opportunities to build your self worth and the self worth of your business partners through networking. Expose yourself and associates to new and different ideas, people, and places. Visit another state and network with like businesses. Research your industry and benchmark your product/service against other like businesses in another state (or several states). Locally, you can join business organizations that are established especially for networking. Please be advised that networking goes beyond passing out a business card. Once you have contacted someone that you want to network with it is important to build a relationship with that person. Building a relationship involves paying attention to their needs as well as your goals. You do have a goal, right? When you are networking with others they need to know what your business goals are and the specifics of your business (if you are in sales they need to know what you sell, the benefits of the product, and who you are targeting as your audience).
While working with community based businesses, churches, and businesses, I have found that agencies and businesses often isolate themselves from one another. Instead of sharing ideas and resources they conceal those ideas as if they are fearful that someone will develop a better opportunity or product based on that idea. This is “poverty thinking” at its highest form – not sharing in fear that you will be left empty handed. Having a mindset of lack or “poverty thinking” can destroy a business, a family, and a relationship. Poverty in this instance relates to more than just money, but all resources. Someone with a mindset of lack may think that there is not enough time, money, and/or customers. They go through life not wanting to share what they have because they believe what they have will be all that they will ever have. On the opposite end, a person that has a mindset of abundance understands that when two people have two separate ideas and they come together and share those ideas, they will both walk away with one more idea.
As a community, we are to stand together and by choice we can fall together if we are not careful. There is enough to share! God promises to provide for His people daily.