48 OPPORTUNITY ZONE MAGAZINE | VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1
culminating meeting can yield the development of an action plan . Synthesizing the work of the preceding discussions , a dialogue around an action plan will confirm alignment on mission , vision , goals , strategies , priority activities , and governance structure .
To sustain engagement and momentum , making the process engaging is key . In addition to facilitating a robust dialogue and fostering ownership of the process by the participants , including informal opportunities for group networking will help to build long-term relationships .
OPERATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION
Once an action plan is approved , the work begins by implementing the organizational structure , executing agreements regarding roles and responsibilities , and putting systems in place for work streams and ongoing communication regarding the coordination of work . A transition phase may be needed to get the plan up and running , particularly if the effort includes hiring of a director or other new member , or seeking funding support for elements of plan implementation .
An organizational framework should be designed to support continued engagement and ongoing collaboration . Based on experience , recommended strategies can be divided into three categories : 1 ) roles , responsibilities , and oversight ; 2 ) engagement and coordination of work ; and 3 ) ongoing communications and accountability .
ROLES , RESPONSIBILITIES , AND OVERSIGHT
Formalizing the collaboration through Memorandums of Understanding ( MOUs ) or other agreements is important to ensure everyone is on the same page . An MOU can acknowledge support for the collaboration ’ s mission , vision and core goals ; clarify the roles and responsibilities of member organizations ; and outline additional provisions specific to the group . For example , some groups may benefit from information sharing or confidentiality agreements , or a process for avoidance of conflict , depending on the group ’ s role .
Building and maintaining trust that the partnership is working on behalf of all of its members is key . If the collaborative effort is not structured as a stand-alone organization with its own board of directors , then it is recommended to establish a multi-partner leadership committee to meet regularly to oversee implementation of the strategic vision and progress of the effort . An Oversight Committee
Building and maintaining trust that the partnership is working on behalf of all of its members is key .
can provide a sounding board and high-level strategic guidance to the director , without micro-managing efforts so that they move forward efficiently . The Oversight Committee also serves as an ad-hoc hiring and performance evaluation committee for the director to ensure that multiple member voices guide the work , rather than only the host organization .
ENGAGEMENT AND COORDINATION OF WORK
The action plan should be operationalized to create pathways for member engagement , input , and coordination , while respecting that all members have time constraints from their “ day job .” The collaboration should establish a regular meeting schedule , and either organize into sub-committees or topical working groups based on member interest or expertise . It can have quarterly meetings of the full group , with working groups that meet on specific issues and report out at full meetings . Full collaboration meetings are an opportunity to report on progress toward shared goals , discuss successes and challenges , and engage in cross-member dialogue about questions related to effective marketing or deployment of the OZ tool .
ONGOING COMMUNICATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Communication is essential to managing the partnership . Establishing a regular communication schedule outside of quarterly meetings keeps members updated on work streams , events , or emerging opportunities , including those for collaboration . Part of that communication should include regular reporting on progress toward shared goals , without burying members in too much information .
OPPORTUNITYZONE . COM