It’s All About Partnerships … Partner!
I’m enjoying a little Texas humor here with the use of the term “partner.” But in all seriousness, partners and partnerships have their value in our industry and our association. According to Daniel Webster’s dictionary, the definition of partnership is “the state of being a partner for participation; the relationship of parties; joint interest of associates in an association.” When two or more parties take part in some common activity or objective, this creates a partnership. When those persons or groups decide to create a partnership, they are engaging in a common business enterprise in which they are sharing its profits and risks. Each is an agent for the other in the endeavor, and both exercise a share in liability for the outcome of the common venture.
Partnerships Make Choices Easier
In these times of tough economic decisions, partnerships are more enticing to consider. For example, an event such as an annual conference could present a partnership consideration. Groups often take for granted that they have had successful conferences in past years. So why would this year or next year present a different result? The reality is that many attendees need to attend your conference for reasons such as specialized technical training, professional development hours to maintain certification and registrations, or to make business contacts by networking. Do they really need to go to your conference? Individuals now have to evaluate how to spend their money on education and conferences and choose one conference that will provide the best “bang for the buck.” If there are two competing conferences out there, which one will be chosen? Questions being considered by the folks in your regional area include: Which conference is the least expensive, and which requires the least amount of travel?
Explore The Possibilities
A recent example of this very situation surfaced in the region of the South Central Chapter of IECA (SCIECA). In the summer of 2009, the opportunity presented itself for SC-IECA to approach the USEPA Region 6 to propose a long-term partnership by recommending a merger of the USEPA Region 6 MS4 conference and the SCIECA annual conference. The mutual partnership was formalized on October 28, 2009 at the USEPA Region 6 office in Dallas, Texas.
The SCIECA will provide financial/contractual management and assist in marketing and in coordination of stormwater and erosion/sediment control education. Several factors influencing the formation of this partnership included the current economic conditions; elimination of conference competition (both conferences had many parallel education opportunities); opportunity for SCIECA members to save conference and travel money by attending only one conference; networking opportunities for SCIECA member attendees to meet with their regional regulatory contacts and government agencies; and relief for the MS4 Conference hosting cities from contracts and financial obligations they are not authorized to perform.
Partnerships can be good alternatives with the right conditions. Evaluate your current objectives and look at all of your available options. Consider what is best for you, your organization and all stakeholders involved. If a partnership looks and feels right to pursue, then make it happen. Success can be achieved by working with others with your common cause, so go out and explore the possibilities of partnership…partner!
