Apparently it’s time for my annual partnership post… I wrote about coalition partnerships in 2011 and about partnerships in youth ministry in 2012.
Forming partnerships are an important and essential part of any youth work. There are going to be things you can’t or won’t do for your youth. There are services you can’t provide, venues you can’t afford and opportunities you will miss.
You need others in your area, and they need you. If nothing else, most funders are looking for local partnerships now as part of their expectation for grants. (Come on, at the very least you’ll probably want to keep your money! Right?!)
Who’s Number 1?
But here’s the thing… real partnerships aren’t built on just looking out for #1.
They’re built through mutual communication and support; it can’t just be a one-sided endeavor. There’s nothing worse than a partnership where one person or organization feels like they’re doing all the work.
Tips
Here are four tips on how to make sure you’re not the ‘bad’ partner in a working relationship:
- Meetings – Set partner meetings, attend them, be on time and come prepared. Here are some tips for a productive meeting.
- Communicate – Keep the lines of communication open through emails, phone calls and regular meetings. The meeting shouldn’t always be about what you need the other person to do for you, but how you can support them as well.
- Timing – Be timely in your requests. Any good partner is willing to step in when you’re in a pinch, but make it the exception and not the rule.
- Share – Spread the love or, at the very least, the ideas, grant opportunities and training you know about and great venues / activities that other youth workers might want to join.
Steps
Maybe you’re reading the previous posts and this one and realizing you don’t have any partnerships in your local area. If that’s the case, here are five steps to starting a partnership:
- Research – Research local organizations and / or coalitions doing similar work to yours or work that you think might be complimentary. Start with your local social services, Rotary Club, civic leagues, youth pastors or YMCAs.
- Contact – Pick up the phone and set up meetings to find out more about the services being offered – people are usually really excited to talk about their own work. Remember: you’re on a fact finding mission, so just listen – you’ll get a chance to share what you do as well.
- Offer – Prepare for partner working by making sure you have a bit of time and, if possible, money to put into partnerships. It doesn’t have to be a lot – even going to the dollar store and buying thank you cards to send after an event to partners is a great way to put some energy into other local organizations and will be greatly appreciated. Or maybe bring the snacks to the partner meeting twice a year.
- Network – I know it’s not everyone’s favorite thing, but getting your name out there – especially as a good partner – is a great way to attract other good partners. If this is something you’re really uncomfortable with, maybe get a volunteer, young person or board member to do it.
- Don’t be a doormat – You don’t have to set up a partnership with everyone. When you get a reputation as a good partner, you’ll get people coming to you who are only looking out for #1. You’ll know them because they’ll do the opposite of all the tips above. Be kind and professional, but know when you’re doing all the work in a partnership and be ready to say ‘no’ sometimes. You want your youth work to have a solid reputation, so don’t partner with those who have a dodgy rep.
Question: What are you looking for in youth work partnerships? How do you know if you’re in a good partnership or not? Why are partnerships important to you? Let us know in the comments below.
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One thing that’s difficult for many youth work organizations and faith-based organizations is the formation of partnerships (sometimes also called coalitions).