BuildingBridgesTACon tractWorkshopFinalDr aft

Building Bridges: Strategies for Networking and Collaboration : 

Building Bridges: Strategies for Networking and Collaboration BC Farnham & Jami Snyder Technical Assistance Institute Baltimore, Maryland 2006

Collaboration and the DD Act: 

Collaboration and the DD Act Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act) encourages and supports meaningful partnerships and collaborative relationships among State Councils Protection & Advocacy Systems Centers of Excellence Developmental Disabilities network collaboration occurs when activities among the three agencies are coordinated to achieve a goal

Collaboration and the DD Act: 

Collaboration and the DD Act DD Act also encourages interagency collaboration and coordination as well as coordination with related councils, committees and programs Interagency Coordinating Council State Rehabilitation Council Statewide Independent Living Council Parent Training and Information Centers Other interested groups

Who LEADS the process of Networking and Collaboration?: 

Who LEADS the process of Networking and Collaboration? YOU DO!!! Councils are in a unique position of providing leadership to the coordination of services for individuals with developmental disabilities within a State or Territory

The Process of Building Bridges With Others…: 

The Process of Building Bridges With Others… Can cause some people to look for a match! What causes networking and collaboration to be difficult for Councils?

Building Bridges Is NOT Always Easy: 

Building Bridges Is NOT Always Easy What helps Councils build bridges effectively?

Councils need to develop a PLAN specifically related to Building Bridges…: 

Councils need to develop a PLAN specifically related to Building Bridges… .

Effective Planning Requires the Right TOOLS…: 

Effective Planning Requires the Right TOOLS… People who are committed to networking and collaboration Resources to support the PROCESS of planning A group willing to trust and value the PLANNING PROCESS A method of planning

The SWOT Analysis…: 

The SWOT Analysis… SWOT Analysis is a tool used for understanding an organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats Method is used by successful organizations in the private and public sector Framework enables groups to focus and achieve OUTCOMES and RESULTS related to complex processes and/or tasks

Why Use The SWOT?: 

Why Use The SWOT? SWOT Analysis tool can be used in identifying an organization's Strengths (S) Weaknesses (W) Opportunities (O) Threats (T) Outcome from a SWOT Analysis enables organizations to focus on strengths, minimize weaknesses, address threats, and take the greatest possible advantage of opportunities available Ideal for exploring internal and external factors related to networking and collaboration

How to Use It…: 

How to Use It… While the SWOT Analysis is typically conducted in a group session, it can also be undertaken in other forums (including electronically) SWOT enables leaders/ facilitators to gather information and maximize internal resources related to problem solving

Strengths…: 

Strengths… Questions to ask and answer: What do we do exceptionally well? What advantages do we have? What valuable assets and resources do we have? What do Council members, consumers and community members identify as our strengths? What makes people want to network and collaborate with us? Who are our existing relationships with?

Tips…: 

Tips… Be realistic...and honest! Think in terms of what you have that other organizations don't have. How do people with developmental disabilities and families who are NOT Council members view your organization? Look beyond internal staff and Council member perspectives. Consider how your grantees, political figures, policy-makers and community members view your organization.

Weaknesses…: 

Weaknesses… Questions to ask and answer: What could we do better related to networking and collaboration? What are we criticized for or receive complaints about? Where are we internally vulnerable? What would improve our Council’s ability to network and collaborate?

Tips…: 

Tips… Don't tiptoe around weaknesses, but be constructive and positive in putting them on the table. Do research -- so you know what outsiders think...about your members, staff and organization! Networking and collaboration centers on RELATIONSHIPS. People don’t support organizations, they support PEOPLE.

Opportunities…: 

Opportunities… Questions to ask and answer: What opportunities do we know about, but have not been able to address related to networking and collaborations? Are there emerging trends on which we can capitalize? Do we have a RELATIONSHIP with someone that can support us in developing a new RELATIONSHIP we need?

Tips…: 

Tips… Look at changes in the community landscape represented by the organization: Technological changes, Government policy, Socioeconomic, and, Demographic changes. Be open-minded. Key opportunities may come from unlikely and seemingly unrelated sources. Consider how you can exploit your strengths or address your weaknesses to generate additional opportunities related to networking and collaboration.

Threats…: 

Threats… Questions to ask and answer: Are any of our weaknesses likely to make us ineffective with regard to networking and collaboration? What external roadblocks exist that block our progress? Are other organizations/ agencies doing anything different? Is there significant change coming externally? (i.e. new political figures, resignation/retirement of key supporters) Is technology dramatically changing the way we network and collaborate? Are economic conditions causing roadblocks for us related to networking and collaboration?

Tips…: 

Tips… Have an open and expansive perspective. Remember, relationships are key to networking and collaboration. This process is about the core activities: recruitment, retention and recognition of SUPPORTERS and PARTNERS. An environmental scan is critical.

Using the Information You Generate…: 

Using the Information You Generate… SWOT Analysis will provide you INFORMATION that should be used to generate a WORKING PLAN, specifically related to networking and collaboration Identify three things Needs Goals Objectives Write it DOWN… Evaluate Progress… Celebrate Success!

Open Mic! Questions, Comments, ETC…: 

Open Mic! Questions, Comments, ETC…