Developing and sustaining effective community partnerships requires institutions to engage in four vital steps: (1) identify needs; (2) identify partners; (3) develop partners; and (4) sustain partnership. Though it sounds simple, developing and sustaining effective partnerships is far from it. Campus LGBTQ Resource Center professionals have the unique opportunity to develop both internal and external partnerships that center the experiences of those most marginalized on their campus. Many times, as campus LGBTQ resource center professionals we are stretched extremely thin on our campuses; as a result, our partnerships are not developed in a sustainable way.
Through an interactive workshop that utilizes a social justice lens to center those on the margins, the facilitator will utilize small group discussion, accessible activities, and large group reflections to provide the participants with the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to develop effective and long-lasting community partnerships. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a tangible blueprint that is customized to the needs of their institution and that provides action steps to creating relationships with other centers, organizations, and communities that are created through the utilization of a social justice lens.
Participants should expect to discuss current partnerships, institutional needs, intersectionality, and marginalized identities on campus, as well as tangible skills such as communicating to partners, organizational systems, and advocating for needs.
This workshop is customizable and can be adapted for various audiences based on need.
