MOU Development[1]

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a tool for establishing and maintaining partnerships, especially when those partnerships include data sharing or the sharing of other resources. An MOU clarifies expectations between partners, which can lead to smoother communication and working relationships over the course of a program. This sheet walks you through the components of an MOU and also provides a template for completing an MOU.

An MOU should be established between only two agencies/partners at a time. You can establish as many MOUs as you think necessary for your program.

Key Components of an MOU

  1. Name of the program or initiative:

Click here to enter text.

  1. Brief description of the program or initiative:

Click here to enter text.

  1. Which two agencies are included in the MOU?:
  2. Click here to enter text.
  3. Click here to enter text.
  4. What is the main goal of the MOU? This should be broad and can appear in a bulleted list or descriptive text:

Click here to enter text.

  1. What will each agency do or share? This includes who (according to role, not specific person) will be in charge of the item, how it will be carried out, how frequently it will be provided and any considerations for confidential or special issues.
  2. [Agency a. from question 3.] Click here to enter text.

What agency will do/share / Person responsible (role, not individual) / Frequency of action / Confidentiality and other considerations
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
  1. [Agency b. from question 3.] Click here to enter text.

What agency will do/share / Person responsible (role, not individual) / Frequency of action / Confidentiality and other considerations
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text. / Click here to enter text.
  1. List the date and frequency by which the MOU will expire or be reexamined for potential renewal.

Click here to enter text.

  1. How will the agencies connect around implementation of the MOU and how will any disagreements be resolved?

Click here to enter text.

  1. What are the start and end dates of the MOU?
  2. Click here to enter a date. b. Click here to enter a date.

SAMPLE TEMPLATE (Information bolded and in italics is designed to help the user understand completion of the MOU and should be removed from the final document.)

Memorandum of Understanding between

[Agency A and Agency B]

PURPOSE

This Memorandum of Understanding establishes the guidelines for collaboration between [Agency a from question 3] and [Agency b from question 3]. The purpose of this MOU is to define the roles, relationships and obligations of both parties regarding [program name from question 1].

INTRODUCTION

[Description of the program or initiative from Question 2]

ROLES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

A. Joint Responsibility: [Agency a from question 3] and [Agency b from question 3] hereby mutually agree to work together to:

a. [main goal of the memorandum from question 4, either as a list or descriptive text]

B. Individual Partner Responsibility: [Agency a from question 3] agrees to provide:

[Specific items, responsible parties, frequency and considerations Agency a. is providing to the partnership from question 5 a.]

C. Individual Partner Responsibility ____ [Agency b from question 3] agrees to provide:

[Specific items, responsible parties, frequency and considerations Agency b. is providing to the partnership from question 5 b.]

MEETINGS AND REPORTING

To accomplish these objectives, partners will meet/confer at least [question 6] for the purposes of reviewing and ensure that each entity is in compliance with this Memorandum of Understanding.

Should the Memorandum of Understanding need to be reviewed outside the regular review process as delineated above, or should the parties need to resolve a disagreement, the partners will [question 7].

DURATION

Upon signatures of the authorized individual[s] of the organizations, this Memorandum will commence on [question 8 a ] and shall remain in effect until [question 8 b].

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENTS

A. This memorandum can be amended or verified through agreement by all partners and evidenced in writing and signed by the authorized individual[s] for each partner. A ____ (time frame of days, such as 30 or 60 days) notice is required for signed amendment to be in effect.

B. This memorandum may be terminated by either entity by notification in writing. A ____ (time frame for notice) notice is needed.

AUTHORIZIED SIGNATURES

Signed,

Authorized Person for [Agency a]
Signature / Print Name / Date
Title
Authorized Person for [Agency b]
Signature / Print Name / Date
Title

[1] This worksheet was adapted from Tips for Creating a Memorandum of Understanding with 4‐H Youth

Development/Cooperative Extension