Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Conference
November 3, 2005
FRAMING: CRAFTING MESSAGES THAT BUILD SUPPORT
“Single, Successful Agency Seeks Same”
Linda Hoskins
[email protected]
Emil W. Angelica
[email protected]
www.ccgpartnership.com
612-926-0122
Agenda






Introductions
Fieldguide on Alliances
The “Alliance Continuum”
When smaller is better
The process
A “fast forward” alliance
Based on…
Forming Alliances:
Working Together to Achieve Mutual Goals
Authors: Linda Hoskins and Emil Angelica
Published by
Fieldstone Alliance, Inc.
Exercise: What are you
bringing to the table?
Individually …
• Pick three things you brought with you today…in your
wallet, pocket, purse …
– Two that represent what your organization has to offer in
an alliance
– One that represents something you bring to the table
With your small group…
• Talk about the items you chose and their meanings
• Then, consider the connections and strengths among you
as a group and how you might complement each other
Define Alliance
An alliance is a relationship between
partners that is strategically formed to
• accomplish goals
• benefit the community
• strengthen the partners
The Alliance Continuum
Lower
Intensity
Higher
Intensity
Cooperation
Coordination
Collaboration
The “Intensity” of Alliances
Cooperation
Coordination
Collaboration
shorter-term,
informal
relationships
longer-term effort
around a project or
task
more durable and
pervasive
relationships
shared information
only
some planning and
division of roles
new structure with
commitment to
common goals
separate goals,
resources and
structures
some shared
resources, rewards
and risk
all partners
contribute resources
and share rewards
& leadership
Concerns in Collaborations
Expensive
Slow to start-up
Loss of control
Damage to reputation
Loss of opportunity
The “Intensity” of Alliances
Cooperation
Coordination
Collaboration
shorter-term,
informal
relationships
longer-term effort
around a project or
task
more durable and
pervasive
relationships
shared information
only
some planning and
division of roles
new structure with
commitment to
common goals
separate goals,
resources and
structures
some shared
resources, rewards
and risk
all partners
contribute resources
and share rewards
& leadership
Benefits of Lower Intensity






Increased control and resources
Lower risk and fewer resources required
Can test out relationship building
Not “on top of” job responsibilities
Can do more of them at one time
Quick to start up
Exercise: Alliances you have
known
• Identify some alliances in which your
organization has engaged
• Using the Alliance Chart (page 2), plot
them and consider if they were the
right level to accomplish the desired
outcome
Alliance Process Flow
Idea Generation
Individually
Framing and Formalizing
With Partners
Implementation
With Partners
Steps in Forming An Alliance
Step 1
Clarify the
Purpose
Step 2
Identify and
Recruit Partners
Step 5
Implement
and Manage
Step 3
Frame the
Alliance
Step 4
Formalize the
Structure & Plan
Range of Roles in Alliances
Convener
Facilitator
Fiscal Agent
Funder
Initiator
Project Manager
Break Time
Please return in 11
minutes!!
Step 1. Clarify the purpose
Begin by answering the following
questions (page 4):
1. If we only had ______, we could
________.
2. What do we have to offer a partner?
3. What role will we play?
Step 2. Identify and recruit
partners (page 5)
 Who might be interested in the
concept?
 Who needs what we can offer?
 Who has the skills, capabilities, or
assets we need?
 Who should we work with for political
or resources reasons?
Step 3. Frame the Alliance
Begin the conversation with partners in
these areas: (Worksheet 1: page 6)
 History of the idea and possible
mission or purpose
 Two or three key outcomes
 First steps or strategies
 Resources
 Possible show stoppers
Step 4. Formalize the Structure
Formalize the structure with:
 Timeframe
 Decision making
 Communications
 Stakeholders
 Draft budget
Step 5. Implement and Manage




Develop a work plan
Schedule regular partner meetings
Evaluate outcomes periodically
Listen to and act on community
input
 Celebrate successes!
Check-in and Adjourn
? What are the 1-2 major learnings
that you are taking away from this
session?
? How are you going to apply your
ideas?
? Suggestions for our next training?
Forming Alliances
Working Together to Achieve Mutual Goals
Single, Successful Agency Seeks Same
Linda Hoskins
[email protected]
Emil W. Angelica
[email protected]
www.ccgpartnership.com
612-926-0122