Cooperative, Collaborative Relationships

The REMC Association of Michigan has a long history of developing and nurturing cooperative, collaborative relationships that have a mutual benefit for the Association, its respective partners and schools throughout the state. Consistent with its mission “to provide a forum for interaction and…equitable access to quality services” long-standing, productive arrangements have been formalized with vendors of products and services, universities, Intermediate and Local School Districts. These cooperative arrangements have a single purpose: to add value to services offered by Regional Educational Media Centers to their constituent public and non-public schools.

The REMC Association of Michigan will consider entering into formal and/or informal collaborative activities with other organizations or agencies after it has considered and
answered these eight questions:

1. How does the collaboration enhance and/or add value to REMCAM programs and projects that are offered to Michigan schools?

2. How does the collaboration impact costs, increase the stability and/or strengthen REMCAM programs or projects?

3. How does the collaboration increase visibility, credibility, influence, and/or raise awareness about REMCAM? How does the collaborative help position REMCAM for future leadership roles?

4. How does the collaboration benefit the education process?

5. Will the collaboration in any way “do harm” to existing REMC customers?

If yes, explain.

6. Does the collaboration in any way impede the ability of existing REMCAM programs or projects to deliver their services to individual REMCs? If yes, explain.

7. How does the collaborative philosophically align with REMCAM values, beliefs, and goals?

What is the probable duration of the collaborative? (long-term, short-term, etc.)

Examples of Levels of Cooperation

Professional Liaisons:
a. endorsement of conferences, projects, etc.
b. identifying common purposes
c. reports at meetings
d. listserv sharing/information giving

Informal:
a. joint sponsorship of conferences, projects, etc.
b. board meeting liaisons
c. one-time project co-sponsorship
d. one-time money support
e. conference fee concessions

Formal:
a. long term project co-sponsorship
b. contractual issues
c. shared responsibilities for performance
d. on-going fiscal or personnel support

Implementation:
The individual(s) charged with investigating the collaborative activity will consider and answer the eight questions. A formal written report, which includes answers to the eight questions, and a recommended course of action will be presented at a REMC Association of Michigan meeting. The report and recommendation will be discussed by the Association as a whole prior to the Association determining whether to enter into either formal or informal collaborative activities. The Association will indicate their decision by a vote of the Association members in a formal meeting where there is a quorum present.