Collaboration DC
A network of practitioners working to build civic capacity and solve community problems in the Nation's Capital
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Community Development

Large-scale real estate development and revitalization activity is taking place across the city, including in many residential neighborhoods. We are working to bring new, collaborative approaches to the way residents, community organizations, government and business are addressing the impact of change on neighborhoods. We think this is critical if the vision of an inclusive city, embraced by DC citizens and leaders alike, is to be realized.

 

Demonstrating the Power of Collaboration in Community Development
Collaboration DC worked over a period of two and a half years (2005-2007) with residents, community leaders, and neighbourhood organizations in Near Southeast-Southwest DC, the site of large scale development. The pressing issue was whether a mixed income community can be preserved and, just as important, the lives of residents, and particularly the low wealth population, improved as a positive impact of new investment. One pressing need was to build bridges and collaborative relationships within the community and overcome historic division, distrust and separation.
 
Through workshops, roundtables and regular community facilitation, Collaboration DC catalyzed formation of the Near SE-SW Community Benefits Coordinating Committee and supported its new role as a unifying, proactive actor on behalf of residents. The CBCC now works with other key actors, including important community-based organizations and elected officials, to gain concrete benefits from developers and development projects. An anticipated achievement is a new workforce development center in the neighborhood.

 

Resource List on Negotiating Community Benefits (read more)

 

Education

Improving public education is a top concern of DC residents and leaders. Collaboration DC provided expert consultation and facilitation to community engagement on public school improvement. We are prepared to support the continued effort to involve the entire city in creating the school system that DC’s children need.

 

Supporting Major School Reform
This began in 2004 and 2005 with crucial support and assistance to the District of Columbia Education Compact , a public-private school reform initiative in which parents, students, residents, and city leaders from all sectors together developed ideas on how to bring excellent student achievement and learning to all children in the city.Their work was incorporated into the strategic plan of the new superintendent of schools.

 

Several staff and facilitators then worked on the community forums that yielded the DCPS Master Education Plan in 2005 and 2006

 

Staff, facilitators, and notetakers from Collaboration DC were critical elements in successive rounds of community forums on the revision of the DCPS Facilities Master Plan in 2006.

 

In Summer 2007, Collaboration DC provided key facilitation support to a series of Mayor's Education Town Halls in each Ward during the transition of DCPS to mayoral control and the introduction of the new school chancellor to the community.

Developing Skills in Collaboration

For most people and organizations, collaboration is not a standard way of operating. We bring training in negotiation, facilitation, and conflict resolution into existing programs for professional, youth and leadership development. We also incorporate knowledge and skill building into our preparation of community, government, and private sector representatives for consensus-building initiatives that we facilitate.

 

Building“Collaborative Capacity”
  Developing a "Collaboration Curriculum" covering key skills and techniques as the basis of training.

  Convening DC Practitioner Roundtables on projects and issues (e.g. see this report).

  Organizing a forum in 2006 that examined innovative local civic engagement efforts in DC. 
  Providing training in negotiation and conflict resolution for local nonprofits and training programs such as the DC Neighborhood College. 
  Training community and youth facilitators and note takers for community forums.

  Prepared a guide to "Holding a Community Roundtable" (read more)