How can you work better with other community organizing groups?

2 Communicate openly and respectfully

Communication is key to any successful relationship, and it is especially important when working with other community organizing groups. Establish regular and consistent channels of communication, such as meetings, calls, emails, or newsletters. Be transparent and honest about your expectations, needs, and challenges. Listen actively and empathetically to the other group's perspectives, concerns, and feedback. Avoid assumptions, judgments, or criticisms that could damage trust and rapport. Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of both groups.

3 Coordinate and cooperate

Working with other groups means that you have to coordinate your actions and cooperate on common goals. This can involve planning, delegating, monitoring, and evaluating your joint activities. It can also mean compromising, negotiating, and resolving conflicts when they arise. To facilitate coordination and cooperation, you need to have clear roles and responsibilities, agreed-upon timelines and budgets, and shared decision-making processes. You also need to have a mutual understanding of the scope, purpose, and outcomes of your partnership.

4 Learn and grow

One of the benefits of working with other community organizing groups is that you can learn from each other's experiences, skills, and insights. You can also grow as a group and as individuals by challenging yourselves, expanding your horizons, and discovering new possibilities. To foster a learning and growth mindset, you need to be open-minded, curious, and humble. You need to ask questions, seek feedback, and reflect on your actions and results. You also need to appreciate the diversity and richness that each group adds to your collective efforts.

5 Nurture the relationship

Working with other groups is not only a practical and strategic choice, but also a relational and emotional one. You are not just collaborating with organizations, but with people who have their own passions, personalities, and stories. To nurture the relationship, you need to show respect, appreciation, and care for each other. You need to build trust, friendship, and solidarity. You also need to have fun, enjoy the process, and celebrate the successes. By doing so, you can create a lasting and meaningful bond that transcends your partnership.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?