Issue 63
September 20, 2007

NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by NEW. It covers resources available at NEW in Ann Arbor as well as items of interest to the nonprofit community in southeastern Michigan. NEWSNOTES is proud to celebrate its sixth year of publication, with delivery to over 1000 subscribers every month! We welcome your feedback and suggestions.

NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its Community Partners:

IN THIS ISSUE

LEAD STORY

Four Keys to Collaboration Success

by Carol Lukas*

As a consultant I'm often asked, “Why do some collaborations succeed and others fail?” As you can imagine, there are many factors involved However, having consulted with more than 50 collaborations in the past 10 years, I've identified four keys that—while not a guarantee to success—are essential to a well-functioning collaboration. Those keys are:

1. Clarify the purpose
2. Let form follow function
3. Involve the right people
4. Get it in writing

Key #1: Clarify the Purpose

Imagine a colleague calls and says, “Our organizations can have greater impact if we collaborate on this project.” “Great, let's meet,” is the response. After three meetings, our colleague is talking about the mission for the collaboration and what we want to achieve together in the next year. You're thinking, “Year? All I ever planned to give this was half-a-dozen meetings at the most.”

Many people think that any time they're working together, they're collaborating. They also assume that everyone has a similar notion of what collaboration means. Actually, there are many ways to work together, with varying levels of intensity in the relationship between partners. Knowing what you want to accomplish will determine whether you need to cooperate, or coordinate, or collaborate.

(From Collaboration Handbook, by Michael Winer and Karen Ray. Published by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.)

Cooperation	Coordination	Collaboration
lower intensity higher intensity
Shorter-term, informal relationships Shared information only Separate goals, resources, and structures	Longer-term effort around a project or task Some planning and division of roles Some shared resources, rewards, and risk	More durable and pervasive relationships New structure with commitment to common goals All partners contribute resources and share rewards and leadership

True collaboration requires a commitment to shared goals, a jointly developed structure and shared responsibility, mutual authority and accountability for success, and sharing of resources, risks, and rewards. Here's a definition.

Collaboration is a mutually beneficial and well-defined relationship entered into by two or more organizations to achieve common goals.

However you decide to work together, it's important that everyone understands and agrees to the purpose of the collaboration, the degree of commitment required, and the expectations of partners involved in the effort.

Key #2: Let Form Follow Function

Just as there are different ways of working together, there are also different types of collaborations. Simpler is better. Choose the simplest form necessary to achieve your goal. Because time spent on the collaboration is an addition to your regular workload, simple forms save you time. Significant increases in efficiency, reach, and impact on mission can be gained with each type of collaborative. But, the difficulty, time required, and potential impact on the people you serve increases as you move up the level of intensity.

Here are the three main types of collaboration and their levels of intensity:

Degree of Intensity High Low	Administration	Development/Advocacy	Service Delivery
	Centralized purchasing, benefits programs Shared staff (proposal writer, bookkeeper) Co-location Asset management Board/staff development	New funding streams Packaged funding requests Advocacy on policy issues e.g., welfare reform, community violence Media/marketing campaigns Community forum	Region-wide service delivery system Niche specialties shared through contracts New program development Coordinated intake & referral Staff exchanges
Difficulty, Time, Impact Low   High

Key #3: Involve the Right People

If your goal is better referrals between organizations that have the same customer base but different services, a few program staff meetings and cross training for two or three months may be enough to improve access to a wider range of services for constituents. However, if the goal is to change your county's mental health services, having only program staff involved in a few meetings won't cut it. If you're aiming for broad organizational or system changes, top leadership of each organization needs to be at the table and engaged in the collaboration's work. Success in achieving your collaboration's goals may require representatives from other sectors or your constituents (e.g., elected officials, city government, school board, or business sector).

When choosing partners consider these questions:

• Do you share the same goals?
• Do they have the required capabilities and resources?
• Do they have credibility in the community?
• Do you have a trusting relationship?

As a rule, work with as few people as necessary to get the job done. The more people involved, the greater the number of communications; the greater the intensity; and the greater the difficulty of learning about each other, balancing power, and coordinating your work.

Key #4: Get It in Writing

The most common reason for a collaboration meltdown is disagreements and uncertainty about operating norms. This is why it's so important to create a collaboration charter.
A charter, also known as an operating agreement or memorandum of understanding, lays out the rules that govern the collaboration. The charter should include the collaboration's mission and purpose; values and assumptions; vision, time lines and milestones; members and membership policies; roles and contributions, policies (competition, conflicts of interest, financial relationships); and norms (participation, decision-making, communication, conflict, meetings). It's especially important to decide what the agreements are for leadership and decision-making.

Getting the Results You're After

Collaboration is a powerful way to accomplish what no single organization can. It's also a complex way to work. Following these four keys will increase the likelihood of your success—and of ultimately getting the results you're after. So take heart and remember—struggle precedes growth!

*Carol Lukas is President, Fieldstone Alliance. This is a shortened version of her original online article which also includes "20 Factors Influencing Collaboration Success."

Additional Resources:

• Listen to the Nonprofit Buzz on Thursday, September 27, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., for a solid conversation on collaboration. The show is streamed live on MetroChick internet radio from Detroit. Just enter http://www.metrochickradio.com in your web browser and turn on your speakers!
• How to Nimble-ize a Collaboration from the Tools You Can Use e-newsletter from Fieldstone Alliance. This is adapted from the book by Karen Ray who will be a guest on the Nonprofit Buzz September 27.
• Use ResourceConnect to find service providers, websites and books on the topic “Collaboration and Community Building.”

FEATURED ITEMS

NEW's Detroit Office Is Ready For You

Nonprofits in Detroit will now have convenient access to the experts at NEW! Starting in October, NEW'S Detroit office will be open for visits every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit us to:

• Get advice on issues facing your nonprofit
• Learn more about the valuable and affordable services provided through NEW's programs
• Do some FREE donor prospect research through The Foundation Directory Online, a database of over 88,000 funders and a half million grant records.

NEW's Detroit office is located at Hannan House (4750 Woodward Ave, Suite 308, Detroit, MI 48201). Appointments are recommended. Contact Ann Gladwin (313-887-7788).

NEW and Nonprofit Finance Fund Co-Host Free Reception

Tuesday, October 9, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
NEW Center, Ann Arbor

Thanks to the generous support of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, NEW and the Nonprofit Finance Fund are pleased to host a FREE learning and networking reception for nonprofits on Tuesday, October 9 from 2 p.m – 4 p.m. at the NEW Center in Ann Arbor.

This reception will offer a chance to mingle with your fellow nonprofits and get to know the NEW and NFF staff and services. It will feature a 45 minute presentation by Dione Alexander of NFF titled "Bridging the Gap - Five Principles to Build Nonprofit Wealth". Space is limited, so please RSVP to detroit@nffusa.org (313-965-9145 x12). See you there!

Fall Trainings at the NEW Center

Don't miss these valuable workshops being offered at the NEW Center in Ann Arbor this fall:

• Serving on a Nonprofit Board, presented by NEW's BoardConnect^® program, October 16, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.. Learn more...
• Branding Your Way to Sustainability, presented by the Michigan Nonprofit Association on October 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. Learn more...
• Nonprofit Organizations and Volunteer Liability: Protecting Your Organization and Its Volunteers, presented by the Michigan Nonprofit Association, October 24, 9 a.m. to noon. Learn more...
• The Getting Started Workshop Series: How to Form 501(C)(3)Public Charity in Michigan (a three part series), presented by the Michigan Nonprofit Association, October 30, November 6, and November 13, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.. Learn more...
• Building Your Board, presented by NEW's BoardConnect^® program, November 8, 9 a.m. to noon. Learn more...
• Starting Off Right: Board Member Orientation, presented by NEW's BoardConnect^® program, November 15, 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.. Learn more...
• Leading Your Board Beyond the Basics, presented by NEW's BoardConnect^® program, December 13, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.. Learn more...

Additional BoardConnect^® Trainings

BoardConnect^® will also offer these workshops in Southeast Michigan in the near future:

• Serving on a Nonprofit Board, Wednesday, September 26, 2007; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Tech Town, Detroit. Learn more...
• Rejuvenating Your Board, Monday, October 1, 2007, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. The Guidance Center for Excellence, 13111 Allen Rd., Southgate. Learn more...
• Building Your Board, October 24, 9 a.m. - noon, New Detroit
  3011 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit. Learn more...

Other Notable Trainings

• Grant Resources Face to Face, a Two-day Workshop for Nonprofit Organizations
  Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. 7 Mile Rd., Detroit,
  
  • Grant Writing Face to Face: Thursday, October 4, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Choose from fifteen workshops on effective grant writing. Learn strategies to write stronger requests.
    
  • Funding Face to Face: Friday, October 5, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. – an opportunity to receive grant seeking advice from a variety of funders who make grants in southeastern Michigan. Learn more...
    
  
  
• Financial Fitness: Training for the Professional
  Wednesday, October 10, 8 a.m. - noon,
  Morris Lawrence Bldg, Washtenaw Community College
  
  Anyone who serves the public and wants to develop financial literacy for clients is encouraged to attend this free seminar, sponsored by Washtenaw County Professional Development. Register by contacting Linda Wicks (734-222-6565). Learn more...

Catch the Nonprofit Buzz

Thursday September 27 at 9 a.m,
www.metrochickradio.com

The second show of the Nonprofit Buzz on Metrochick radio will air online at http://www.metrochickradio.com on Thursday September 27 at 9 a.m, with the theme of collaboration. Diana Kern, Director of Board Programs at NEW is the host of this exciting new program airing the last Thursday of each month. Guests for this show include Karen Ray, author of The Nimble Collaboration; a staff member from CityConnect Detroit and a representative from the Family Support Network. Gather your colleagues 'round the computer Thursday morning. We'd love to get feedback on the show and ideas for future broadcasts. Next month's theme will be marketing.

Announcing The Board Room - Information for Board Effectiveness

BoardConnect^®, a program NEW, is pleased to introduce the The Board Room — a collection of templates, forms, and samples to use in conducting nonprofit board business. For just $25 per year, you will have access to more than 40 documents that can be downloaded and adapted for your organization’s use, in the following areas:

• Assessment and Strategic Planning
• Board Recruitment
• Board Orientation
• Management and Oversight
• Responsibilities, Accountability and Ethics

When you subscribe to The Board Room, you will receive a user name and password that can be shared among your staff and board members. This streamlined, practical set of tools, updated regularly, align with BoardConnect^® trainings and current best practices within the nonprofit sector.

For more information, contact Dallas Moore (734-998-0160 x206).

NEW Co-Sponsors MNA Reception to Welcome Kyle Caldwell

Tuesday, September 25, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Washtenaw United Way, 2305 Platt Rd., Ann Arbor

NEW, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, and the Washtenaw United Way are pleased to co-sponsor a community reception to welcome Kyle Caldwell as the new President and CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association. The reception is on Tuesday, September 25 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the Washtenaw United Way. Please RSVP as soon as possible to Lisa Sommer (517-492-2412). Business attire is suggested. Visit MNA's website for more information.

Meeting for Ann Arbor Fundraisers

Thursday, September 27, 3:00 p.m.
NEW Center, 1100 N Main St., Ann Arbor

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is exploring the idea of offering a unique opportunity to Washtenaw County area fundraisers. It's called a "Network" and would offer the full benefits of AFP membership in the Greater Detroit Chapter while providing local programming and networking for Ann Arbor area fundraisers. There will be a meeting for those interested in taking advantage of this new "Network" membership status on Thursday, September 27, 3:00 p.m. at the NEW Center in Ann Arbor.

If a Network for the Ann Arbor area were to be formed under the aegis of the Greater Detroit Chapter, and if you were to become a member of AFP, you could take advantage of all the training events, networking possibilities, and all other benefits membership while also having local Ann Arbor functions.

The purpose of the meeting is twofold: 1) assess your interest and gather your opinions about what you'd like to see happen and what you need from a professional association, and 2) lay out the details of the "Network" membership option so you can see just how this would work.

First-time members will be offered half-price dues of just $125! No need to RSVP or register for the meeting. Questions? Contact John Fike (734-484-2166).

Need Help with Accounting?

Graduate students of accounting at Eastern Michigan University are available to provide free help to nonprofit organizations during the current term. A three-student team might set up an accounting system and chart of accounts, prepare your 990 form, or develop a strategic financial plan. Each student will provide about 20-25 hours of service between now and December.

Please contact Professor Howard Bunsis (734-487-1070) for more information.

Reminders

• Crain's Detroit Best Managed Nonprofit Contest; applications due September 24
• Public Policy Forum: Importance of Education, October 8.
• Nonprofit Day, Wednesday, September 26. Registration deadline was September 19. Speaker Andy Dillon, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and other legislative leaders are scheduled to attend this one-day conference focusing on issues impacting the Michigan nonprofit sector.

REGULAR FEATURES

Tools You Can Use is a free email newsletter from Fieldstone Alliance which arrives about every 3 weeks. Each issue features a free management tool or idea to help you and your nonprofit be more effective. The sample provided online is “Dealing Effectively with Nonprofit Board Conflicts.” Past issues on a wide array of topics can be found under free tools.

Nonprofit Bulletin Board

Visit NEW's Nonprofit Bulletin Board to post and view notices about free resources, fundraising opportunities, and other items relevant to the Southeast Michigan nonprofit community.

Events Calendar

Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau calendar of events. E-mail Nick Miller to request a password to submit an event.