I
NTRODUCTION
1
HIS IS A STORY ABOUTa group of modern-day American explorers.They have not done the ordinary bit as explorers,such as combingthe moon to find some new mineral,or discovering a new species,or planting aflag on some distant mountain peak.Rather,they have gone to the depths ofour communities,right where they live,exploring what it means for people tocollaborate in seeking to address their common challenges.
Planned Serendipity,
prepared by The Harwood Group for the PewPartnership,unveils some familiar horizons,albeit through the eyes of thesemodern-day explorers—citizens,collaboration leaders,elected officials,business people,local funders,and others.The Harwood Group interviewedsixty-five people in nine communities participating in the Pew Partnership andcaptured their way of looking at the world.These pages provide us with a lensto see collaborations in a new way.The Harwood Group interviewed these Pew Partners about why theircollaborations started and how they took off;about the opportunities theycould see,and the obstacles they would face;about their frustrations and theirvictories.Through careful probing and reflection,The Harwood Groupuncovered and pieced together what these individuals came to value in termsof what really makes collaborations work.Emerging from these conversationsare eight key factors,whose essence conveys the importance of having acertain mindset,of holding a certain perspective that in turn shapes and moldsa collaboration.Indeed,The Harwood Group has learned that the secrets tocollaborating lie beneath the all-too-familiar,which we hear so much aboutwhen talking about collaborations:a focus on process,procedures,recruitingmembers,time lines,evaluations,communications.
Planned Serendipity
provides us with a new escort through well-traveledbyways.It is a companion in collaboration rather than a collection of how-totips.It captures the voices of community explorers who bear witness to thepower of ideas,the possibility of change,and the uncharted territory in ourmidst.
“Sustainable community building is not about fireworks,but hard work. The Pew Partners have proven results for their hard work,innovation, and trust in the collective power of citizens to meet the challenges of this century and the next.”
Suzanne Morse
Executive Director,Pew Partnership
CONTENTS
6
Currency of Ideas
12
Measuring Success
18
Dimensions of Diversity
24
Strong Leadership
30
Working Norms
36
Value of Outsiders
42
Community Relationship
48
Community Time
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