The model below is an example of defining the roles of three key governance bodies within a collective impact initiative. It is just one model for governance; the critical takeaway is that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and agreed upon across the broad range of functions within a collaborative process: having a distinct position within the collaborative helps partners understand their piece of the larger puzzle while creating the space for creativity and innovation. Accountability provides structure while freeing groups to broaden and deepen their work within their roles. The second table is blank and can be used as a template for creating your own set of roles and goals. Core Team Role Steering Committee Role Backbone Role Who (4-8 mid to senior level managers who understand the systems level issues ) (20-24 strategic leaders – often at the “C” level - who can make commitments for their orgs) (staff to the initiative, supporting both groups and all other work of the initiative) Strategic Direction Operationalizes the strategic direction – figuring out what it will really take Sets the strategic direction and explore what is within/ outside the scope of the agenda Implements the strategic direction based on guidance from Core Team Policy Priorities Operationalizes policy priorities – figuring out what it will really take Explores policy priorities and selects priorities (voting by those who can participate) Supports members to act on policy priorities, including working with contractors Connections Between Work Groups/ Sprints Includes representatives of each Work Group/Sprint, addresses overlaps/ opportunities to leverage across work groups Learns about progress in each Work Group/Sprint and brainstorms opportunities to leverage Staffs all Work Groups and sprints, maintains documentation of the work, surfaces specific needs for coordination across groups Oversight of Project Budget/Work Plan Develops overall annual work plans and budget Reviews and approves budget decisions quarterly Approve overall and annual work plans through a consensus-building process Tracks budget information and provides to Core Team Makes operational decisions about use of resources Fundraising Vets funding opportunities and develops a plan for broad engagement in making decisions about the funding Use the members’ collective experience, connections, and other resources to promote CI initiative for fundraising Identifies funding opps, vets their alignment with strategic direction, and brings to Core Team Alignment with Other Efforts Explores alignment at the operational level Explores alignment at the strategic level Actively identifies other efforts and participates in activities to build alignment
Agenda Setting Sets the Steering Committee agenda Informs Core Team agenda Informs Steering Committee agenda Communicates the Steering Committee Agenda, sets and communicates the Core Team Agenda Oversight of Backbone Organization Provide guidance and input to Backbone Organization. Leadership provides guidance and oversight to staff working in the Backbone Mutually Reinforcing Activities Identify specific opportunities for Steering Committee and Work Groups to support mutually reinforcing activities Advocate for alignment with CI initiative within member’s organization Support member efforts to implement mutually reinforcing activities Level of Commitment Monthly meetings and weekly email interaction Bi-monthly or quarterly meetings Daily responsiveness to the needs Communication Communicate about progress of CI initiative to potential funders and across Work Groups Communicate about progress of CI initiative with their organizations and key stakeholders Maintain communication materials/channels to make it easy for all stakeholders to disseminate information Conflict Resolution Resolves project conflicts and reconciles differences of opinion and approach Resolves any conflicts and disputes that cannot be resolved in the Core Team Support conflict resolution processes, but does not make any decisions Deliverables Formal acceptance of most project deliverables Formal acceptance of major project deliverables Prepares project deliverables