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Partnerships

Aviators and plane

Aviators study a route in 1923.

Tools: Memorandum of Agreement, By-laws, RFPs, Business plan, etc.

Case studies

Why partnerships?

Effective partnerships are crucial to heritage-based community development. You can’t go it alone.  With partners, you can achieve much more.

Remember:


Steps to forming partnerships

1. Identify groups and organizations who could be involved.

You may have begun this process of prospering your community with a few like-minded people. Now is the time to expand outward, involving many more partners.

These can or should include people involved in:

City/county government
Business/chamber of commerce
Preservation
History and archaeology
Arts and culture
Education
Environmental issues
Economic development
Housing/real estate
Social and civic issues
Tourism
And more…

Identify as many potential partners as you can.  Then think about their strengths.  Evaluate their ability to invest time or resources, their collaborative abilities, their constituents, concern for the community, strengths, leadership ability, symbolic or actual power, relationships with key leaders or resources, etc.

2. Build relationships with these potential partners.

Make sure you understand the partner’s goals and needs and how the partnership can help meet these goals.

    • Network through the chamber of commerce, community meetings, committees, associations, etc.
    • Form contacts and relationships socially. Invite potential partners to lunch, for instance.
    • Discuss opportunities and possible collaborations.
    • Make sure any formal presentations are “dynamite”: well-prepared and strong.
    • Follow up to keep the process moving.
    3. Meet together, and jointly explore:
    • The purpose and goals of partnership.
    • The benefits for each partner.
    • Expectations and responsibilities.
    • Possible problems that could arise.
4. Identify the person or organization to take the lead

5. Formalize agreements

It is often very helpful to draft and sign a written agreement that describes the goals, roles, and responsibilities of the partnership. (For an example, see sample Memoranda of Agreement.) For examples of marketing partnerships, go here.

6. Follow up

Establish a process of regular follow-up and communication to solidify plans and move them forward.

Tools

Memorandum of Agreement/Partnership Agreement
Incorporation and By-laws
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Friends of Baron Woolen Mills Business Plan
Working with Local Officials

Case Studies

Handmade in America
Heritage Highway 89
Four Corners Heritage Council
Utah Mining Heritage Alliance