How Does a HDP Collaborative Form? (Part 5)
First it's the need to to address a complex issue or seize an opportunity, then a coordinator is identified, the search for funding begins, relationships among the coordinator and partners develop, evolve and strengthen and a facilitator is contracted. With all these components in place, the collaborative comes together as meetings convene.
When HDP collaborative meetings convene, participants contribute diverse experiences, active listening skills, willingness to navigate agreements and disagreements, inquisitive mindsets, patience, and empathy while also contributing scientific insights, additional funding sources, valuable connections and respect for the HDP collaborative process. As Bob Sallinger, Urban Conservation Director with Willamette Riverkeepers and longtime participant of the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative has shared: " . . . we can disagree and still continue moving forward. Sometimes people with collaboration focus simply on what you agree upon. But really the true test of collaboration is whether you're able to disagree and still move forward. Are you able to continue to see value in those collaborative efforts that, even though you disagree, you still see that value in continuing to work together that you're willing to transcend those disagreements? It doesn't mean you ignore them, it means that you keep talking."
This perseverance in HDP collaboration is grounded in trust in the process, leading to powerful consensus decisions. How each of the six HDP collaboratives reaches their decisions is shaped by the unique culture and participants of each collaborative.
*In July, we talk about how collaborative partners talk with each other about the complex issues and opportunities in front of them that leads to the ability to find consensus solutions.
