Engaging in elections can be a significant undertaking. Partnering with other organizations can amplify your impact, share the workload, and demonstrate a broad base of support for your issues.
Why Work with Partners?
- Shared Goals: Many organizations have overlapping interests, such as promoting walkability, public transit, environmental sustainability, or public health.
- Bigger Audience: Tapping into a partner's network can bring more people to your events and more eyes to your content.
- More Resources: Pooling resources, both financial and human, can allow you to host more ambitious events or create higher-quality materials.
- Stronger Voice: Presenting a united front to candidates shows that your issues are a priority for a diverse group of constituents.
Identifying Potential Partners
Think about groups whose missions align with yours:
- Environmental organizations
- Public health associations
- Neighborhood associations
- Walkability and transit advocacy groups
- Community development corporations
How to Collaborate
- Co-host Events: Share the planning, costs, and execution of events like a candidate forum or a community ride.
- Share Questionnaires: Develop a joint questionnaire or share the responses from your own.
- Joint Statements: Issue joint press releases or statements on issues of shared importance.
- Cross-Promotion: Promote each other's events and materials to your respective audiences. See Promoting Your Election Events for more ideas.
Setting Expectations
To ensure a smooth partnership, it's helpful to establish clear roles and responsibilities from the outset. A simple Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) can outline who is responsible for what, how costs will be shared, and how decisions will be made. For more on building and maintaining these relationships, see the guide on /outreach/partnerships.