Effective organization management relies on collaboration between organization members as well as other student organizations on campus. Collaboration can also be between an organization and a campus office or department. Below is information on what collaboration is and tips on how to collaborate within your organization.
Reasons to Collaborate:
- Can make the event more meaningful for everyone involved
- Expands funding sources
- More creative minds
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
- More planning resources
- Networking and outreach opportunities
- Larger event turnout
- Improve image and credibility
- Enhance the sphere of impact
- Increase visibility
- Save on costs
How to Collaborate:
- Connect with people and with a purpose: Alliances are successful when key individuals connect personally and emotionally with a common social or cultural purpose and each other.
- Clarify your purpose: Jointly prepare a written purpose statement. Vagueness and ambiguity will cloud the vision and may lead to confusion or conflict.
- Ensure congruence of mission, strategy and values: Engage to identify alignment between mission, strategy and values. The closer the alignment, the greater potential for gains from collaboration.
- Create value: Jointly and explicitly outline the benefits expected from each party.
- Open & transparent communication between partners:
- Communication should be open, frank, and constructive.
- Respect and trust are imperative.
- Treat each other as equal partners.
- Embrace continual learning: Collaboration is dynamic. View the partnership as a learning opportunity and cultivate the discovery ethic that supports continual learning.
- Commit to partnership: “Over committing and under delivering can destroy partner credibility and neglect can lead quickly to partner disengagement.” (James E. Austin)