Building Community Partnerships Engage, Connect, Create Conference Anthony Lupi 26 April 2006

2 POSITIVE OUTCOMES CREATING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Working with companies to build: Outstanding corporate social responsibility and corporate citizenship programs Mutually beneficial business community partnerships Strategic community involvement Triple bottom line reporting

3 Some of the companies we work with:

4 Our Agenda: What is a community partnership? How relevant are partnerships for schools? What can they deliver? How do we build successful partnerships? Some resources…..

5 Community partnerships? Business + Community organisation(s) Working to achieve a three-way-win Good for the community Good for the business Good for the employees All parties agree on what is to be achieved, and the steps needed to do that. =

6 Some examples Sydney Secondary College + Lend Lease Ultimo Primary School + Mitchell’s James Meehan High + Minter Ellison

7 Are they relevant to schools? You are part of the community! You have much to offer! Great potential to partner with business to extend learning and educational outcomes Three way partnerships are seen as highly desirable

8 Some education partnership deliverables Employability – helping students understand work choices and be better equipped to apply for and secure jobs Basic skills – improving reading & numeracy skills Mentoring – using direct relationships between students and others to extend learning

9 Steps in building a partnership Be clear on what you want to achieve Decide on what activities are important Work out who is responsible for what 3 way easier than 2 way Do your homework Become an extrovert Plan and execute with style and grace Communicate & celebrate

10 Resources People you already know Local community organisations Build on existing relationships Examples from other places – ask them how they did it!

11 Tips and Traps (1) Start small & build relationships before partnerships Be determined – and be prepared to put in the time Good communication is the key!!! In-kind resources much easier than cash! Mutuality is vital – what can you give your partners?

12 Tips and Traps (2) Decide if you really want to be part of the community Put someone in charge and build a team Make sure it is properly resourced Let your school community know that partnerships are important Learn from your successes and mistakes Use the resources from this conference

13 Workshop Resources Developing Partnerships – schools & business – A Process Guide Developing Partnerships: an on-line resource list