Skip to main content

Building Collaborative Relationships to Solve Community Challenges

This class will examine the importance of valuing, building, and nurturing key relationships for Georgia’s cities with counties, school systems, public health agencies, healthcare systems, and relevant not-for-profit organizations. Municipalities are increasingly playing the role of convener of partners for thorny community problems. Beyond the technical aspects that support collaborative relationships, optimal efforts require key community leadership competencies in order to effectively develop and maintain the relationships. Building community-based collaborative relationships is more intentional than regional relationships. The legal requirements that mandate, encourage, or limit some of these relationships will be explained and the differences identified. The various instruments and vehicles that offer or require opportunities for cooperation will be outlined and the importance of building collaborative relationships will be fully explored. The class will also present an overview of best practices for leadership relationships and steps leading to good community partner relations, as well as barriers to good relations. Resources that are available to improve these relationships will also be presented.