The Partnership Handbook
Summary
Strong, viable partnerships don't just happen. They need to be understood, properly developed and well maintained. Skills, knowledge and experience are required when we bring people together to form useful and productive partnerships. Many of us do not feel confident in each and every aspect of partnering or, if we do, we may not be able to share our knowledge effectively with others. The Partnership Handbook (DOC, PDF) has been developed by the Labour Market Learning and Development Unit at Human Resources Development Canada to help people learn more about what community-based partnerships are and to offer suggestions about how to be effective in them. It provides tools and tips to enhance partnerships, and outlines what is needed to move forward together.
Section I of the Handbook defines what a partnership is and what it is not. Section II identifies the conditions that support partnerships and provides examples of assessment tools. Section III outlines the partnership process and how to apply it. Section IV explores the knowledge, attitudes and skills required to undertake a partnership. Section V examines common issues and concerns as well as providing some possible solutions. Section VI describes the characteristics of a variety of partnership approaches.
Throughout, there are sections labeled "Lessons from Experience" and "Points to Ponder". The former provides quick points about various aspects of each section, while the latter offers questions based on the information that has been provided in each section. The questions, which are designed to help generate thoughts about what has been read and how it might apply to your own situation, can also be used to initiate discussion.
A Facilitator's Guide (DOC, PDF) is also available which can be used to facilitate discussion among people interested in forming partnerships or among members of existing partnerships who want to see where they are at and where they might be going. The Guide contains a series of exercises plus a role play.
The key elements of the Partnership Handbook will be useful not only for community partnerships but for any collaborative venture in which you may be involved. It can be used as desired, one section at a time or as a complete training handbook going from cover to cover. Used on your own or with your partnership group, it can serve as a point of reference or as a training tool.
The two documents are available for download in Word 6 format which will make it possible for facilitators to go into the Facilitator's Guide and revise handouts, or into the Handbook itself to develop additional handouts tailored to the specific needs of their participants.
To order:
Mail:
Canadian Government Publishing
Communication Canada, Ottawa, ON,
K1A 0S9
Telephone:
(613) 941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943 (Canada & US)
General ordering by fax:
Local (613) 954-5779 or 1-800-565-7757 (Canada & US)
Hearing Impaired Line:
1-800-465-7735
Web site:
http://publications.gc.ca 
The Partnership Handbook
(DOC document, 117 pages, size 211 K)
(PDF document, 81 pages, size 144 K)
Please note the following copyright restrictions regarding The Partnership Handbook:
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Human Resources Development.
Permission is granted to copy electronically and print for internal use only.
As this document was developed by Flo Frank and Anne Smith, on behalf of Human Resources Development, these authors must be credited whenever the information is used.
No part of this information may be reproduced, modified, or redistributed in any form or by any means, for any purposes other than those noted above (including sales), without the prior written permission of Human Resources Development. Contact the National Site Manager.
The Facilitator's Guide
(DOC document, 72 pages, size 112 K)
(PDF document, 121 pages, size 193 K)
Please note the following copyright restrictions regarding The Facilitators Guide:
© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Human Resources Development.
Permission is granted to copy electronically and print for internal use only.
As this document was developed by Ken King, Flo Frank and Anne Smith, on behalf of Human Resources Development, these authors must be credited whenever the information is used.
No part of this information may be reproduced, modified, or redistributed in any form or by any means, for any purposes other than those noted above (including sales), without the prior written permission of Human Resources Development. Contact the National Site Manager.
