It is nice to talk about the theory of collaboration, but what
is it really like and what really goes on?
What are the largest actually accomplished benefits from
collaborations?
GMI - We worked with SIL to make the language mapping
project. Our "visionary" projects would not have happened if we
had not been collaborating, & some projects that we did alone
did not work out. For the 20:21 Library training in India, we
used people from other organizations to develop curriculum & to
train people for this CD. The cooperative spirit is increasing,
& we just need to use it.
SIL - The language mapping project with GMI is a great
example of collaboration. SHARE fellowship is another example of
benefits received from collaboration. Personal relationships are
what bring about successful collaboration.
Paraclete - There are people around the world who are doing,
even on a small scale, what you are/need to do who can help you.
Use them!
What are the largest obstacles to overcome in order to
collaborate?
GMI - various goals and expectations within the different
organizations; you need to find a middle ground on your goals.
When you collaborate, you are really there as an individual & it
is difficult to truly represent the resources, etc. of your
organizations. Cultural barriers are also significant,
especially in North-South collaboration. Early on in a
collaboration you need to talk about certain issues (e.g. what
is the flow of money going to be?) There needs to be a level of
honesty on these types of issues.
SIL - unrealistic expectations -- we do not sit down & count
the money before building the tower. Another barrier is
territorialism, that our organization should be center stage.
This is inherent in humanity; we are sinful beings.
Paraclete - Branching off the sin issue, we sometimes like
to leave things in the dark that are difficult to talk about:
money, pressures we are under as an organization, etc. These
hide in the background, only to come out in undesirable manners
after a while.
What are effective strategies in dealing with these obstacles?
SIL - opposite of the sin question! Collaboration stands or
falls on the type of relationship that can be built. If there is
no trust, there cannot be collaboration. It is better for people
not to promise what they cannot do. The real problem is that we
do not know how to network because we do not know how to
practice the Body of Christ--love, standing behind each other,
being real. Collaboration is practising the body of Christ.
Structure can help make things work better, but it is not the
basis of collaboration.
GMI - true servanthood. We must die to self & be willing to
be in the background & not take the credit for everything.
Organizations may not need long or formal agreements, but there
needs to be something in writing (i.e. "pre-nuptial agreement").
As well, we need to lower our expectations. Do not worry about
the other person; just make sure you keep your part of the deal.
Paraclete - prayer is essential. In the trust relationship,
there is a public arena & a private arena. In the public arena,
there is freedom to who the "who" is; however, the "what" (what
we share with the public) is controlled. In the private arena,
"who" is a part of the group is controlled by the trust group;
however, "what" is share with those in the group is free. This
is public group & private group parallels to a marriage
relationship.
Where are we in terms of collaborating (on a scale 1-10)
GMI - 5.5. At the beginning, it was very difficult to get
networking going. However, we have made some tremendous
progress. The talk to action ratio is still too high. I wish we
were talking less & doing more. We may have good feelings, but
when the rubber meets the road, we are not doing much.
SIL - 6.0. However, we did not start at 0, but rather we
started from negative zero. Thus, I am greatly encouraged not
only at the amount of practical change that has occurred but
also at the change in culture--it is acceptable & even expected.
Paraclete - There a lot more areas to collaborate on, but in
terms of the first few steps, we are in at 6 or 7. We are
beginning to accomplish collaboration, even though it may hurt
at times. This is a very strong positive.
What is the best project or resource to look at to learn to
collaborate?
GMI - There is great collaboration between GMI & Southern
Baptist Convention. In 20:21 Library, we had more information
than we had people or time to put on the CD, which is a
tremendous example of people sharing information &
collaborating. As well, the mapping project with SIL is a great
project of collaboration.
SIL - We have learned more about collaboration from pagans
than from Christians. In Guyana, people are thinking community,
not individuality. When someone did something wrong, their first
thought was reconciliation not judgement. Our culture does not
teach us to collaborate but to be an individual. We need to go
to the Word of God rather than to our culture to find a model
for collaboration.