LEAD PARTNER GUIDE

The Lead Partner is the primary liaison between the Investee, SVP Partners, and SVP staff.

ALead Partner has four primary responsibilities:

  1. Establish and maintain a good working relationship with the Investee Executive Director and Investee Board

Develop a relationship based on trust and mutual respect. A consistent relationship is critical to the success of a SVP’s partnership with Investees. Here are some tips:

a)Learn about the organization, its programs, staff, budget – read marketing materials and website

b)Develop a relationship with the board and understand the dynamic of the relationship between the executive director and the board

c)Establish a consistent routine: when and where will you meet, duration of meeting, and agree on an agenda. As time goes by, more informal meetings will naturally occur

d)Invite feedback from the Investee on all aspects of the relationship

e)Be sensitive to differences. It takes time and patience to learn to work together: working styles and cultures are different; coping with the funder-Investee power dynamic can be a challenge; decision-making methods are different; and, time management can be an issue for both parties. The nonprofit world operates in a different way from for profit business

f)Understand that the SVP relationship is one of many that the Investee must maintain. It will not always be the first priority

g)Attend Investee events to get to know staff and volunteers

  1. Help (or get help) to develop an Investee’s business plan and identify SVP resources available to support implementation.

The business plan should follow the ‘project/business plan table of contents template’, available on SVP Connect Opportunities Committeeweb page.

a)The Business Plan should describe :

  • Use of funds (ensure consistency with SVP grant)
  • Intended capacity building goals for SVP-sponsored project/program
  • Measureable outcomes for a successful project

b)Project implementation: help Investees develop a three-year vision for working with SVP (including SVP volunteers) and ensure successful launch, implementation and completion of project.

  1. Ensure volunteer opportunities are communicated to SVP staff and Partners

Volunteer efforts are a fundamental component of all SVP/Investee relationships. The LP plays a key role to ensure that SVP volunteers are recruited, supported, appropriately placed in a volunteer assignment, enjoy a sense of connection to other SVP volunteers, and understands that all volunteer contributions are meant to benefit the Investee.

a)Description of volunteer opportunities: identify opportunities, define scope, and then prioritize volunteers needed by investee

b)Submit volunteer request form for posting to SVP’s website

c)Volunteer orientation: work with Investee to ensure connection to appropriate SVP volunteersand then ensure required orientation of new volunteers

d)Investee use of volunteer time: LP to ensure volunteer time is strategic, timely, well-defined and supported by Investee

e)LP role in volunteer management: maintain connection to SVP staff regarding volunteer needs and placements

  1. Monitor, evaluate and report on project implementation.

It is very important to ensure ongoing communication with the Investee executive director to understand how project implementation is proceeding and any issues that may arise where they may need help.

a)Maintain regular contact with ED to discuss project progress and any additional needs or volunteer opportunities that have been identified at any stage

b)Flag concerns/problems at an early stage before they impact goals or deadlines

c)Identify any additional resources and support as necessary to get back on track if goals and targets are in danger of being missed/not met

d)Prepare one page quarterly reportsand participate in Lead Partner Project Execution meetings

e)Ensure annual re-funding presentation and report ready in timely fashion

f)Share the successes, learnings, and network from the individual Investee so all our Investees can benefit from the hard-won progress that each group has achieved

Remember afew helpful tips

  1. Take time to get to know your Investee and other volunteers
  2. People come first. Projects come second
  3. Establish regular meetings and communication
  4. Don’t promise what you can’t deliver
  5. Support the Investee’s implementation of their strategic vision, not your own
  6. Refer to the Investee’s business plan as the roadmap and refer to it regularly
  7. Engage with SVP Staff for assistance, guidance and resources
  8. Know that you are making a difference