Build a Common Purpose To accomplish the purpose statement the group will need to set short- and long-term goals. These goals should include general strategies (e.g., increase support of watershed protection). Goals for more specific activities will also be needed (e.g., series of newspaper articles, tree planting, etc.). An important way to build a partnership is to develop a clear sense of your purpose through a statement. Partners should develop a concise purpose statement that defines general goals and responsibilities. A carefully worded statement will serve as a yardstick for decision making, for measuring progress and will provide motivation for high quality. Make sure all partners are comfortable with the statement. Steps to creating an effective purpose statement include: Ask for ideas from all partners Discuss the ideas and draft a statement Revise draft based on discussion Write a final statement Solicit statements of commitment from all partners Incorporate other local groups' goals where these can help build support. This process may not be easy and will take time. Remember, it's important to keep the statement general enough to encourage widespread support, but specific enough to identify goals and measure progress.

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Building a Successful Partnership

Building a successful partnership takes skill, time and patience. Here are some specific strategies that will help your watershed group's chances of succeeding:

• Identify and involve the "right" people
• Select leadership from within
• Build a common purpose
• Establish attainable goals
• Make best use of talents
• Encourage communication and participation
• Set up a flexible organization
• Know your capacities, skills and financial resources
• Cultivate trust

Why Partnerships Succeed
Partnerships are successful for a number of reasons. Your challenge is to determine what motivates people and make sure these motivations are met. Key reasons partnerships succeed include:

• Members enjoy working with others
• Partnership provides opportunities to meet new challenges
• Potential for professional and personal growth
• Sense of accomplishment
• External factors motivate involvement (e.g., public expectations, organizational mandate, job description)
• Members see a chance to address new challenges or expand their skills
• Members want to demonstrate broader abilities to their "home" organizations
• Community interest and support for the group runs high

Additionally, informal social interaction can provide the glue that holds a partnership together. Encourage these types of interactions and build on the motivations.

Why Partnerships Fail
Most people agree with the notion of partnership, at least in principle. However, partnerships may be unsuccessful for a variety of reasons, including:

• Past failures
• Lack of commitment
• Worry about lost independence
• Lack of credit for own contributions
• Personality conflicts
• Power struggles or turf battles
• Partners that do not agree on realistic roles and responsibilities
• Differences in cultural and personal values
• Community interest and support for the group is low, or very controversial
• Rigid attitudes about the problems or possible solutions
• Misunderstandings and incomplete communication