Community priorities are reflected by the purpose of the effort, and representatives of community-based organizations identify strategic public, private, and nonprofit organizations with which to work. Community-based efforts can be designed to empower communities while addressing specific needs, like affordable housing, if they begin in the community and are guided by community members who will share power with the organizations. To continue efforts after the collaborative effort ends, it is essential that resources, including funding, be community controlled. Betterment and empowerment collaborative processes are not mutually exclusive in practice. These pure models should be seen as guides to collaboration, and as a way to understand some general characteristics of multisector collaboration.
Smooth transitions are important.
When organizations replace their representatives, they should provide as much advance notice as possible and fully prepare their new representatives for the responsibilities they will undertake. Time constraints on members, who tend to add on their collaborative commitments without giving up other responsibilities, can be a major barrier to the collaborative process. This should be remembered when planning collaborative action. Organizations participating in collaborative efforts should operate with collaborative and supportive policies within their own organizations, and individual members should practice participatory, democratic processes. Communication within participating organizations is as important as communication among participating organizations.