The Collective Impact Core is often called “The Core” for short. We include representatives from a Backbone Organization, Workgroups, and people impacted by our work.

How We Work Together

Shared Understandings (2023 Version)

Membership Agreement (2023 Version)

Conflict Resolution Process (2023 Version)

Who We Are

Backbone Organization

A Backbone Organization provides ongoing support to a collective impact effort. Staff from the Backbone Organization fill four roles in the Collective Impact Core:
  1. Facilitator – The facilitator leads meetings. They also make sure activities align with the vision and provide support as needed.
  2. Listener – The listener helps identify unspoken values or sticking points that influence the group.
  3. Connector – The connector attends all Workgroup meetings and shares relevant information between them.
  4. Backbone Representative – The backbone representative ensures the group has what it needs to succeed. This includes space, staff time, favorable policies, and/or financial resources.
Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority is the current Backbone Organization for the Core.

The Backbone Organization could change if:

  • The current organization is no longer interested in filling the role.
  • The current organization is not meeting the expectations of the group.
  • Another organization is better positioned to meet the expectations of the group.

Any member of the Collective Impact Core can propose this change at any time. Members would discuss and decide on the proposal using formal consensus.

Workgroups

Workgroups are the heartbeat of collective impact. They take action and bring the goals to life. Workgroup Representatives are the bridge between the Collective Impact Core and the Workgroup Members. They make sure the Core and the common agenda are relevant to their Workgroup. They also help coordinate aligned activities. The current Workgroups are:

Cradle to Career
Lenawee Essential Needs Council
Lenawee Financial Stability Coalition
Lenawee Health Network
OneLenawee

These Workgroups could change if:
  • There’s a change in the common agenda.
  • A current Workgroup is no longer interested in having a relationship with the Core.
  • A current Workgroup is not meeting the expectations of the group.
  • A new group wants to create a relationship with the Core.
Any member of the Collective Impact Core can propose to add a new Workgroup at any time. Members would discuss and decide on the proposal using formal consensus.

Any member of the Collective Impact Core can propose to end a current Workgroup relationship at any time. The relationship between the Core and the Workgroup may end, even if the group itself continues to meet.

Once a member proposes to end a Workgroup relationship, we’ll follow the process below. We’ll move to the next step only as needed:

  1. The Workgroup Representatives will meet with the Backbone Representatives to explore what support the Workgroup needs. This support may help continue the relationship or end it well.
  2. All Collective Impact Core Members will meet to explore what support the Workgroup needs. This support may help continue the relationship or end it well.
  3. The impacted Workgroup Members will agree to end their relationship with the Core using a consensus approach.
  4. The Workgroup Representatives will meet with the other Collective Impact Core Members and present their decision to end the relationship.
  5. Collective Impact Core Members will discuss how to fill any gaps left by the Workgroup.

People Impacted

Every action has an impact. That’s the whole point of taking an action! Before we decide to act, we must consider and involve the people the action will impact. Their input is necessary to keep the Core relevant, intentional, and effective. The specific people might change based on the action we are discussing. Ideally, the People Impacted are already Workgroup Representatives. If not, all Collective Impact Core Members must seek out and consider their input.

Announcements

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