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February 15, 2003
The Power of Partnerships (cont'd)
Vigilance Pays
Despite the rise in partnerships over the past decade, the sluggish economy of the last couple of years means schools are finding it increasingly difficult to locate partners. Many companies are short-staffed, and employees are working harder to make up for layoffs. "It's not a good time right now," Harrison Lyseth's Montello says. However, a good coordinator or principal keeps tabs on the local business news and watches for when the economy picks up or a company is reported to be doing well. "We keep our ears open," she added.
Vigilance has its rewards. The Portland Partnership continues to bring in $4 or $5 in donations and volunteer labor for every dollar it spends on staff, Montello says. Last year, Harrison Lyseth booked 18,000 hours of volunteer time, which experts estimate is worth about $270,000.
The Bottom Line
When all is said and done, the key motivator behind a partnership has to be giving. Says Creative Artists' Woodard, "We wanted to create a really different internal environment where giving back was part of the culture. In the end that probably helps us as a business. People who work here say this makes them feel happy and fulfilled."
Montello concurs. Businesses can help the school expand its mission beyond passing state assessment tests. "We couldn't hire someone to run a credit union," she says. "We couldn't hire mentors, or social workers, for all of those children. We couldn't do half the things we do without their support. We're trying to create a sense of community here at our school, and that's where our business partners come in."
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