Enhancing the Effectiveness of Sustainability Partnerships Summary of a Workshop (2009) / Chapter Skim
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III Partnership Organization and Governance--Summary, Panel Discussion
III Partnership Organization and Governance--Summary, Panel Discussion
Pages 15-20
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From page 15... ...
Nonetheless, as partnerships have proliferated and matured, lessons on organization and governance have emerged and could be applied to both nascent and existing partnerships which continue to evolve. This panel discussion, moderated by Robert Stephens, international chair of the Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Performance, focused on several themes: evolution of organizational frameworks, formal versus informal structures, major organizational challenges, accountability, and adaptive management.
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From page 16... ...
They reached agreement that some sort of body was needed that could quickly support activities that could advance the field of green chemistry; consequently, they established a non-profit with a governing board. However, maintaining permanent staff and leadership for the new organization proved challenging, and led GCI to seek a partnership with the American Chemical Society (ACS)
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From page 17... ...
A participant questioned whether board members ought to be recruited based on their passion for the topic, or for their influence within an organization or a broader community. Panelists remarked that, although it is generally easier to attract board members who are already passionate about the issue and can thus help establish a vision for the partnership, as the partnership matures and demonstrates some success, it is not difficult to identify board members who bring passion as well as influence.
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From page 18... ...
Though this allowed GCI to support permanent staff members and have a physical space, it also required a series of negotiations with ACS as to how it could stay flexible and independent while still depending on direct funding from ACS. For MIM, although rotating the secretariat to Tanzania was a necessary step towards giving African malaria researchers a voice, it also created a new challenge with regard to funding.
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From page 19... ...
While a partnership to certify a sustainable product might be deemed successful according to its internal accountability standards -- satisfying shareholders and expanding the market for a sustainable good, for example -- it might also be reinforcing trade imbalances if certain countries have an easier time meeting these voluntary standards. Monitoring this may be outside a particular partnership's capability, but it could be useful to keep in mind as the partnership develops accountability metrics.
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From page 20... ...
Global Water Challenge, which has a high-level goal of universal access to clean water and sanitation, sets annuals goals as well, then reflects on its pursuit of those and determines whether or not the objectives it has set are moving it towards the goal.
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