Colaborando JuntosColaborando Juntos

December 15, 2005December 15, 2005

Tanya Gonzalez, City of Richmond Tanya Gonzalez, City of Richmond Hispanic Liaison OfficeHispanic Liaison Office

What is Colaborando Juntos?What is Colaborando Juntos?

Statement of Purpose: Colaborando Juntos is an Statement of Purpose: Colaborando Juntos is an innovative network of government, nonprofit, innovative network of government, nonprofit, faith, private and community volunteers who work faith, private and community volunteers who work with and for the Latino/Hispanic community and with and for the Latino/Hispanic community and its well beingits well being.. CJ increases public awareness of CJ increases public awareness of critical issues by encouraging partnerships and critical issues by encouraging partnerships and leveraging resources. CJ serves the Central leveraging resources. CJ serves the Central Virginia region. “Colaborando Juntos”…it means Virginia region. “Colaborando Juntos”…it means working together.working together.

How did CJ come about?How did CJ come about?

Initially the Multicultural Outreach Initially the Multicultural Outreach Coordinator of the Red Cross saw need for Coordinator of the Red Cross saw need for service providers to network and share service providers to network and share informationinformation

11stst informal meeting occurred on 1/21/04 informal meeting occurred on 1/21/04

acción

Colaborando Juntos-Working Together

1/21/04 5/7/04 10/8/04 10/25/05

Red Cross Hispanic Initiative•share information

•input re: focal areas•explore collaboration

Workshops:•legal issues

•ESL resources•Hispanic culture

•special interest groups

Case Studies•Tropical Storm Gaston

•Immigration•Access to health care

El Camino Hacia el Futuro:Purpose/Statement Group

Leadership Metro RichmondCommunication Strategy

Ideas en Acción•Formalizing Leadership

•Organizational Development

11/16/05

Use of Community ResourcesUse of Community Resources

Leadership Metro Richmond, who undertakes Leadership Metro Richmond, who undertakes community projects on a yearly basis, was asked community projects on a yearly basis, was asked to research best practices for CJ as well as to to research best practices for CJ as well as to recommend a structure as we move forward.recommend a structure as we move forward.

During the months that LMR was working, a CJ During the months that LMR was working, a CJ subcommittee worked in tandem to develop CJ’s subcommittee worked in tandem to develop CJ’s statement of purpose, principles and goals.statement of purpose, principles and goals.

Connect Richmond, an initiative of the University Connect Richmond, an initiative of the University of Richmond, has also created a CJ community list of Richmond, has also created a CJ community list serve facilitate effective communication.serve facilitate effective communication.

CJ PrinciplesCJ Principles

CJ facilitates acculturation, where CJ facilitates acculturation, where Latino/Hispanic and U.S. cultures learn from Latino/Hispanic and U.S. cultures learn from each other, exchange ideas and enrich their each other, exchange ideas and enrich their mutual understanding.mutual understanding.

CJ cultivates strong Latino/Hispanic voices and CJ cultivates strong Latino/Hispanic voices and avenues for those voices to be heard.avenues for those voices to be heard.

CJ is a catalyst for systematic change through CJ is a catalyst for systematic change through action oriented solutions.action oriented solutions.

CJ 2-3 Year GoalsCJ 2-3 Year Goals

Build effective communication among CJ Build effective communication among CJ participants (e.g. list serve, website, etc.) and the participants (e.g. list serve, website, etc.) and the community at large.community at large.

Increase partnerships between CJ participants and Increase partnerships between CJ participants and Latino/Hispanic community members.Latino/Hispanic community members.

Establish linkages and dialogue with other diverse Establish linkages and dialogue with other diverse groups.groups.

Seed new initiatives which foster change.Seed new initiatives which foster change.

LMR RecommendationsLMR Recommendations

Compared Richmond with other cities in US – Charlotte/Raleigh-Compared Richmond with other cities in US – Charlotte/Raleigh-Durham, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Durham, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Miami, Maryland, DC areaMiami, Maryland, DC area

Homeward and Success by Six as a model Homeward and Success by Six as a model Recommendation – CJ meet with Susan Crump from United Way, Recommendation – CJ meet with Susan Crump from United Way,

Reggie Gordon from Homeward, Cathy Brown from United Way, Reggie Gordon from Homeward, Cathy Brown from United Way, and Barbara Koto from Success by Sixand Barbara Koto from Success by Six

Senior Navigator Website as a model for communicationSenior Navigator Website as a model for communication Findings from survey done among Hispanic community leadersFindings from survey done among Hispanic community leaders

“…“…there is fragmented (yet, in some circles, solid) leadership there is fragmented (yet, in some circles, solid) leadership within the community. There is also a fragmented focus on within the community. There is also a fragmented focus on service provision. CJ’s primary focus moving [forward] will need service provision. CJ’s primary focus moving [forward] will need to be to clearly identify the leadership, the role of CJ and the key to be to clearly identify the leadership, the role of CJ and the key areas of focus.”areas of focus.”

LMR Recommendations, cont.LMR Recommendations, cont.

Proposed Structure:Proposed Structure: Issues Based with four issues based themes: Education, Business, Issues Based with four issues based themes: Education, Business,

Legal/Workforce, Family Support, at the center are the Core Legal/Workforce, Family Support, at the center are the Core Stewards (8-12 people).Stewards (8-12 people).

Core Stewards will identify two co chairs to lead the Issue Action Core Stewards will identify two co chairs to lead the Issue Action teamsteams

First team: Education of People and OrganizationsFirst team: Education of People and Organizations Second team: Remove Legal and Workforce ObstaclesSecond team: Remove Legal and Workforce Obstacles Third team: Improve Quality of Life Through Family SupportThird team: Improve Quality of Life Through Family Support Fourth team: Inclusive, Innovative Business GrowthFourth team: Inclusive, Innovative Business Growth Develop, integrate, and implement through action teamsDevelop, integrate, and implement through action teams Ongoing communications, and communicate progressOngoing communications, and communicate progress Maximize leadership learningMaximize leadership learning

Steps after LMR RecommendationsSteps after LMR Recommendations

Organizational Development Subcommittee Organizational Development Subcommittee was formed.was formed.

OD Subcommittee’s task was to review, OD Subcommittee’s task was to review, analyze, and make recommendations on the analyze, and make recommendations on the LMR report that was presented in May LMR report that was presented in May 2005.2005.

Findings were reported on at recent 11/05 Findings were reported on at recent 11/05 meeting.meeting.

LMR Recommendation: Study Existing Collaborative OrganizationsLMR Recommendation: Study Existing Collaborative Organizations

As part of its work, the OD Subcommittee held As part of its work, the OD Subcommittee held several panel presentations from the following several panel presentations from the following collaborative organizations to learn about their collaborative organizations to learn about their experiences, structure, functions, best practices experiences, structure, functions, best practices and challenges.and challenges. HomewardHomeward Virginia Organizing ProjectVirginia Organizing Project Youth MattersYouth Matters Senior ConnectionsSenior Connections

Homeward: Lessons LearnedHomeward: Lessons Learned

Reggie Gordon, previous Executive DirectorReggie Gordon, previous Executive Director A systems integrator organization for issues of A systems integrator organization for issues of

homelessness, created in 1998 after a homelessness, created in 1998 after a recommendation by a Task Force that saw the recommendation by a Task Force that saw the need for collaboration and a streamlining of need for collaboration and a streamlining of services.services.

Homeward’s first tasks were 1) to establish a Homeward’s first tasks were 1) to establish a common goal and 2) create a common pool of common goal and 2) create a common pool of data. data.

Homeward: Lessons Learned, cont.Homeward: Lessons Learned, cont.

Homeward then focused on an acquaintance Homeward then focused on an acquaintance initiative that sought to: 1) to facilitate initiative that sought to: 1) to facilitate collaboration between groups, and 2) to streamline collaboration between groups, and 2) to streamline duplicate services.duplicate services.

The organization was then able to distill an action The organization was then able to distill an action plan for its work, which has included a centralized plan for its work, which has included a centralized access process, data collection, and applying for access process, data collection, and applying for grants through partnerships.grants through partnerships.

VA Organizing Project: Lessons LearnedVA Organizing Project: Lessons Learned

Cathy Woodson, Richmond OrganizerCathy Woodson, Richmond Organizer VOP is a state-wide, not-for-profit grassroots VOP is a state-wide, not-for-profit grassroots

organization that identifies issues and solves them organization that identifies issues and solves them through community organizing strategies. Their through community organizing strategies. Their goal is to move people from complaints to action.goal is to move people from complaints to action.

VOP works by preparing the community members VOP works by preparing the community members to take responsibility for their own leadership. In to take responsibility for their own leadership. In this way, VOP shifts the power base with coalition this way, VOP shifts the power base with coalition building, thus educating people to be local leaders building, thus educating people to be local leaders so that they can educate their own elected leaders. so that they can educate their own elected leaders.

Youth Matters: Lessons LearnedYouth Matters: Lessons Learned

Joan Marable, Deputy DirectorJoan Marable, Deputy Director Youth Matters is an initiative that promotes the need for Youth Matters is an initiative that promotes the need for

quality early childhood development.quality early childhood development. YM is housed in the Greater Richmond Chamber of YM is housed in the Greater Richmond Chamber of

Commerce, which allows for neutral ground to facilitate Commerce, which allows for neutral ground to facilitate collaboration.collaboration.

YM works to bring people and organizations together, YM works to bring people and organizations together, collect data, reduce duplication of services. YM also collect data, reduce duplication of services. YM also provides meeting space and support in going after funding.provides meeting space and support in going after funding.

YM will often pilot projects then spin them off into the YM will often pilot projects then spin them off into the community.community.

Senior Connections: Lessons LearnedSenior Connections: Lessons Learned

Thelma Watson, Executive DirectorThelma Watson, Executive Director Network of 25 aging organizations, created in Network of 25 aging organizations, created in

1973 that coordinates services for seniors1973 that coordinates services for seniors Currently working on a Services Integration Currently working on a Services Integration

Project through Senior Navigator website where Project through Senior Navigator website where organizations will have a shared database for organizations will have a shared database for clients and referralsclients and referrals

Role of Senior Connections once program is Role of Senior Connections once program is implemented will be to provide oversight, implemented will be to provide oversight, coordination, and facilitation to secure fundingcoordination, and facilitation to secure funding

LMR’s Suggested StructureLMR’s Suggested Structure

Business Leaders Governmen

t

Other Non-Profits

The Larger Colaborando Juntos

Network (50-100 people)

Core CJ Committee(8-12 people)

LMR Recommendation: Issue-Based Structure With Four Action TeamsLMR Recommendation: Issue-Based Structure With Four Action Teams

Education

Legal/ Workforc

e

Family Support

Business

Servant Leadershi

p

Defining Four Action TeamsDefining Four Action Teams

Team 1: Education of People & Team 1: Education of People & OrganizationsOrganizations

Team 2: Remove Legal & Workforce Team 2: Remove Legal & Workforce ObstaclesObstacles

Team 3: Improve Quality of Life Through Team 3: Improve Quality of Life Through Family SupportFamily Support

Team 4: Inclusive, Innovative Business Team 4: Inclusive, Innovative Business GrowthGrowth

Forming Core CommitteeForming Core Committee

After reviewing the LMR report, the OD After reviewing the LMR report, the OD subcommittee of CJ decided to implemented the subcommittee of CJ decided to implemented the structure as recommended.structure as recommended.

The subcommittee and Susan Wilkes worked The subcommittee and Susan Wilkes worked together to identify specific roles for each leader together to identify specific roles for each leader on the core committee.on the core committee.

An internet survey soliciting volunteers for An internet survey soliciting volunteers for leadership roles was sent out to the full email list, leadership roles was sent out to the full email list, and the committee was pleasantly surprised to see and the committee was pleasantly surprised to see a large number of people respond.a large number of people respond.

Forming Core Committee (continued)Forming Core Committee (continued)

Given the high interest level, the OD subcommittee Given the high interest level, the OD subcommittee rethought the original plan of simply slotting interested rethought the original plan of simply slotting interested people into positions.people into positions.

After considering several alternatives, the committee After considering several alternatives, the committee decided the fairest course of action was to hold elections at decided the fairest course of action was to hold elections at the Nov. meeting.the Nov. meeting.

Those who had expressed interest in a leadership role were Those who had expressed interest in a leadership role were asked to confirm their desire to serve and to provide a brief asked to confirm their desire to serve and to provide a brief description of themselves.description of themselves.

Subsequently, elections were held and the core committee Subsequently, elections were held and the core committee was named. Other CJ members selected their Action was named. Other CJ members selected their Action Team of choiceTeam of choice

Positions of Core CommitteePositions of Core Committee

ChairpersonChairperson – Provides coordination across the different committees – Provides coordination across the different committees and activities. Calls and chairs bi-monthly meetings of the Core and activities. Calls and chairs bi-monthly meetings of the Core Committee. Committee.

Assistant ChairAssistant Chair – Supports the President by taking on special projects – Supports the President by taking on special projects when asked and filling the role of President when the President is not when asked and filling the role of President when the President is not available. Serves as a President “in training” for the following year.available. Serves as a President “in training” for the following year.

Ad Hoc Core Committee MemberAd Hoc Core Committee Member – Serves as at-large representative – Serves as at-large representative for CJ. May be asked to take on special projects or serve on a for CJ. May be asked to take on special projects or serve on a committee.committee.

Bi-Annual Event ChairBi-Annual Event Chair – Chairs the committee to plan the program for – Chairs the committee to plan the program for and implement a fall and a spring full CJ meeting. With the and implement a fall and a spring full CJ meeting. With the committee, arranges for facility, meals, program and communications.committee, arranges for facility, meals, program and communications.

Positions of Core Committee, cont.Positions of Core Committee, cont.

Communications Coordinator Communications Coordinator - Serves as liaison to website designer. - Serves as liaison to website designer. Works to maintain email lists, website, and other forms of Works to maintain email lists, website, and other forms of communication.communication.

Fundraising CoordinatorFundraising Coordinator – Works with Chairperson on seeking – Works with Chairperson on seeking funding for the organization. Works with Event’s Chair and funding for the organization. Works with Event’s Chair and Communications Coordinator to fully integrate activities.Communications Coordinator to fully integrate activities.

New Immigrant AdvocateNew Immigrant Advocate – Works to ensure representation of – Works to ensure representation of immigrants on the various teams and programs. Leads the formation immigrants on the various teams and programs. Leads the formation of advisory committee for CJ to be made up of new immigrants. of advisory committee for CJ to be made up of new immigrants.

Team Leaders (4 positions)Team Leaders (4 positions) – Chairs a committee in one of 4 areas: – Chairs a committee in one of 4 areas: education, business, family support, and legal/workforce. Works with education, business, family support, and legal/workforce. Works with committee to refine purpose for the team and to formulate goals. committee to refine purpose for the team and to formulate goals. Coordinates collaborative efforts in implementing goals. Coordinates collaborative efforts in implementing goals.

ChallengesChallenges

Resources – Time & FundingResources – Time & Funding Since all members have their own job Since all members have their own job

responsibilities, finding extra time to work on responsibilities, finding extra time to work on CJ is a challengeCJ is a challenge

Funding for our outside facilitator has also been Funding for our outside facilitator has also been a challenge. We are hoping that new a challenge. We are hoping that new fundraising coordinator will be able to submit fundraising coordinator will be able to submit grant proposals.grant proposals.

Where is CJ going from here?Where is CJ going from here?

Newly established Core Committee will Newly established Core Committee will plan to meet in 1/06 and act on information plan to meet in 1/06 and act on information gathered by Org. Dev. Subcommittee, as gathered by Org. Dev. Subcommittee, as well as further action items well as further action items

Action Teams will plan to meet shortly after Action Teams will plan to meet shortly after that, possibly 2/06that, possibly 2/06

Questions?Questions?

Tanya Gonzalez, ManagerTanya Gonzalez, Manager

City of RichmondCity of Richmond

Hispanic Liaison OfficeHispanic Liaison Office

Tel. 646-0250Tel. 646-0250

Fax 646-8872Fax 646-8872

5739 Hull Street Road, Suite 165739 Hull Street Road, Suite 16

Richmond, VA 23224Richmond, VA 23224

gonzaltm@ci.richmond.va.usgonzaltm@ci.richmond.va.us