PA-CCI 2: Community Partnerships
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The agency partners with a diverse group of community
stakeholders to carry out the initiative and improve the community.
The agency helps the initiative to identify and reach out to a diverse group of community stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
Interpretation: Stakeholders should represent many segments of the community, and should include organizations, institutions, and residents. Relevant organizations and institutions can include, but are not limited to: civic associations; tenant associations; neighborhood centers; parks and recreation services; schools and colleges; faith-based institutions and associations; health and social services agencies; libraries; cultural institutions; youth development or out-of-school time programs; for-profit businesses; public officials and policymakers; funders; and the media. Residents should reflect the diversity of the community, and should include individuals of diverse lifestyles, cultural/ethnic backgrounds, races, religions, genders, socio-economic status, skills, interests, and ages, including youth and elders.
It is also important to note that stakeholder identification and outreach should not be a one-time event that occurs only at the start of the initiative. In contrast, even if an initiative begins with only a small group of stakeholders, new partners may be identified and involved on an ongoing basis, throughout the course of the initiative. For example, residents and organizations involved in the earliest stages of the initiative may in turn help to identify and reach out to additional community stakeholders. Further, since it is inevitable that some partners will eventually end their participation in the initiative, ongoing recruitment can help to sustain overall levels of participation.
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Research Note: Some literature suggests that engaging a diverse array of community stakeholders helps to promote the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of an initiative. Involving a diverse group of agencies and individuals brings a wider range of talents, resources, and connections, and can help to legitimize the initiative and its work. |
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Community stakeholders have opportunities to be involved in all aspects of the initiative.
Interpretation: As referenced in PA-CCI 4, 5, 6, and 7, community partners should be involved in all aspects of the initiative, from outreach, to the community assessment, to strategic planning and decision-making, to implementing specific improvement projects. In the event that a key stakeholder chooses to not participate, the agency must demonstrate efforts to encourage participation and show that the stakeholder was not intentionally excluded.
Note: It is also important to ensure that the agency’s advisory group reflects and represents the interests and demographics of the community, as noted in PA-AM 5.
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Research Note: Literature emphasizes that the knowledge and perspective brought by community stakeholders are crucial to developing a successful initiative. Further, involving community stakeholders in a meaningful way is also essential to building stakeholders’ capacity. The importance of capacity building is addressed further in PA-CCI 3, as well as throughout this Service Standard as a whole. |
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NA The agency only provides technical assistance to community change initiatives.
The agency facilitates a collaborative working arrangement by:
- bringing community stakeholders together as peers and equals;
- ensuring that no stakeholder, including the agency itself, dominates the initiative;
- demonstrating tolerance, understanding, and respect for both stakeholders and the community as a whole;
- facilitating the development of trust and respect among community stakeholders;
- following fair and clearly-understood procedures for decision-making and dispute resolution; and
- addressing and managing any conflicts that arise.
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Research Note: Literature indicates that it is not unusual for conflicts to occur during the course of an initiative. For example, there may be disputes or conflicts related to competing goals, resource allocation, lack of trust, varying perceptions about roles, different values, different needs, differing skills and interests, and differing language and culture. |
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NA The agency only provides technical assistance to community change initiatives.
The agency facilitates ongoing stakeholder involvement by:
- providing timely notification of meetings;
- documenting all important decisions in writing;
- developing mechanisms for communicating with community stakeholders about the initiative and its activities;
- regularly reporting to the community on the initiative’s progress; and
- developing mechanisms for community stakeholders to provide regular feedback about the initiative and the agency’s role in the initiative.
Interpretation: Initiatives may use a variety of strategies and techniques to facilitate communication with stakeholders. Examples include, but are not limited to: community meetings and public forums; newsletters; news releases; resident information brokers and organizing coordinators; neighborhood networks; house parties; festivals; parades; and other special events.
NA The agency only provides technical assistance to community change initiatives.
