Guide to a Written Partnership Agreement

Putting things in writing is a good way to make sure that the partnership will stay on track. There may be changes in management or key personnel in both your organisations. The written agreement is a valuable tool in expressing the roles and expectations of both parties. This may be as simple as a letter or be a more formal contract or MOU.

The kinds of issues that will be covered in an agreement will be:

• Description of the aims, objectives and activities of your organisation
• The purpose of the partnership
• The criteria which will flag its success
• The timeframe for the partnership and reporting strategies
• The benefits accruing to each of the partners from the relationship
• What resources, cash and /or in-kind that each partner will be contributing
• The roles and responsibilities of each partner
• Protocols to be observed in contacting each party
• Wording of joint publicity
• How changes could be made in the relationship
• Behaviour that would lead to termination of the partnership
• Conflict resolution strategy
• How the partnership will be evaluated

Partnerships may involve naming rights and there will be a particular way in which this needs to be expressed in media releases and other publications. Make sure that this is clearly recorded in the agreement and kept before the staff involved in marketing and administration. Keep your partner on your mailing list, list of invitees to functions and send them any material that comes across your desk that may be of interest to them to keep the communication lines open. Take every opportunity to celebrate achievement.