It’s an adage as old as politics itself. A thread is weak. But twist several threads into a rope and it’s strong. Such is the power of alliances and teamwork. Join Resource Media for a "Building Strategic Alliances" training that describes the practical, systematic steps and case studies you need to know to help you reach new partners and spokespeople. Our presentation will be full of the best advice from conservation leaders around the country with a proven track record of success.

1. Building Strategic Alliances
July 2010

2. Have a Question? Need Help?

3. About Resource Media
• Communica9ons Strategy
• Media Outreach Campaigns
• Digital Media Strategy and Outreach
• Environmental and Health Policy
Focus

4. San Francisco SeaFle Boulder Kalispell Sacramento
30 Staff
9 Offices
Bozeman Portland Salt Lake City Anchorage

5. "Those planet-tonguers over at
Greenpeace are building a
replica of Noah's Ark to raise
awareness about global
warming. For a bunch of
environmentalists, they're sure
cutting down a lot of trees. I
celebrate Earth Day because
it's America's planet."
Stephen Colbert

6. Forty years after the first Earth Day……

7. There is broad public support for conservation.

8. Inspiring people to take action requires trust

9. “Our issues are not environmental issues,
they’re community issues. When the
community owns it, you win.”
--Tracy Stone-Manning

10. In the past, the
environment was
talked about by
regular people who
lived near the land
and cared about its
well-being.

11. Now….paid professional environmentalists are
doing the talking

12. Why build strategic alliances?

13. Diverse partnerships can help you weather
political changes

14. Public Support = Political Capital
Mobilizing a broad face and voice for conservation gives our
issues credibility and clout

15. Build political power and momentum
With the right partners, you can do more than just win a single
campaign: you can advance an entire policy agenda

16. How To: The nuts and bolts of building
strategic alliances

17. Lay the groundwork: Align resources
• Build the the capacity
• Invest in outreach
• Create a culture of bridge building

18. Think it through
• Assess your needs
• Choose allies carefully
• Build relationships to last

19. Build the relationship
• Find common ground
• Break the ice
• Listen first
• Agree on terms
• Commit to long term

20. Make it work
• Start early and small
• Give before you get
• Offer to do the groundwork
• Share the spotlight or stay behind
the scenes

21. Right-size expectations
• Be patient
• Develop messages together
• Support their work (partnerships are a two-way street)

22. Set boundaries and respect theirs
• Tune in, don’t cave in
• Find common ground
• Agree on goals and milestones
• Get clear on roles and
responsibilities

23. Work together to tell your story
Tell the story
• Leverage partners’ reach and influence
• Choose spokespeople based on audience values
• Share the work and the credit

24. • Take advantage of existing networks
• Go for low-hanging fruit
• Move outward in concentric circles
Use partners strategically

25. Use a variety of communications tools
• Radio and newspaper interviews
• Op-eds and letters to the editor
• Editorial board visits
• Action alerts and newsletters
• Direct outreach to policymakers

26. Harness the power
of social
networking tools
like Facebook and
Twitter
• Raise awareness
• Share updates
• Engage supporters
• Build a community

27. Listen in to gauge public opinion
• Track #hashtags or keywords
• Join existing communities
• Find and engage opinion leaders

28. Case Studies
Saving the Valle Vidal
Bristol Bay/Pebble Mine
SF Physicians
for Social Responsibility

29. Saving the
Valle Vidal
Protecting New
Mexico’s “Land of
Enchantment”

30. The Campaign
• Formed the Coalition for Valle Vidal
• Defined a clear goal: “No drilling, leasing, period”
• Invested in public outreach and education
• Created a Core Values Statement

31. Keys to Success
• Broad local support
• Clear goal that came from the community
• Diverse spokespeople
• Investment in outreach

32. Take Aways
• Focus on grassroots
• Build it together
• Leverage shared values

33. Empowering People in Bristol Bay
The fight to save “America’s fish basket”

34. The • Public Education & Organizing
• Legislation
Bristol
• Litigation
Bay • Corporate Responsibility
Strategy

35. Big win:
Tiffany’s of London signs “No Dirty Gold” pledge

36. Take-Aways
• Let the locals lead
• Use the jobs argument
• Help people understand what’s at stake

37. Healthier Food in
Health Care
Campaign
Making sure hospital
patients get good food
from local farmers

38. The Strategy: Research, Relate, Engage
• Do Your Homework
• Build relationships and earn trust
• Ask questions
• Create incremental wins

39. Take-Aways
• Find partners that
complement your
strengths and
address your
weaknesses
• Start small
• Focus on values

40. Summary:
• Strategic alliances are key
to short-term wins and long-
term credibility
• It’s all about relationships;
you have to give as good as
you get
• Building partnerships
depends on finding shared
values

41. Worth Exploring!
• Social Media 201 – August
• Framing & Messaging – September
• Media Relations – October
• Story Pitching 101 – November
• Blogger Relations – December

42. Thank You!
Nicole Lampe Lynda Giguere
Program Director Program Director
harlin@resource-media.org lynda@resource-media.org
503.719.5626 907.771.4020
Published by Resource Media
325 Pacific Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-397-5000
Copyright © 2010 by Resource Media
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright
holder.