COLLABORATION EXERCISE
Executive Directors and staff members of organizations that serve one small, low income neighborhood, Cedar Hill, have been asked by city government to form a collaborative to spend Federal neighborhood revitalization funds designated for this area. Two neighborhood residents have also been asked by the mayor's office to take seats on the board of this collaborative. Members of the board must identify one major neighborhood problem that the collaborative will address. They are also expected to develop a program to address this problem. The program will be operated on a joint basis by the organizations that have representatives on the board of the collaborative. To conduct this role play, form a group of 3 people. Each person in the group should take on one of the following roles.
Mr./s. Flores, MBA, Executive Director of the Family Service Agency.
Resources Staff of 30 people: psychologists, social workers, and paraprofessional outreach workers. Also has a large number of clerical staff including a bookkeeper and account. Budget of $1,000,000 per year.
Vested Interest: To obtain additional grant dollars from the city and state.
Hidden Agenda: To control the decision-making process and promote the interests of FSA.
Mr./s. Johnson, lawyer, Executive Director of Legal Services Corporation.
Resources: Staff of 10 people including lawyers and paralegals.
Vested Interest: To develop a plan to help low income residents fight evictions by
slum landlords in this neighborhood.
Hidden Agenda: To protest the city's reluctance to bring legal action against slum
landlords and enforce building codes.
Reverend Moseley, church is located in Cedar Hill. Appointed to collaborative as a "resident representative" by Mr/s. Daley, the city council member for this district.
Resources: Church office and additional classroom buildings adjacent to the Cedar Hill neighborhood. Respect of neighborhood residents.
Vested Interest: Reducing gang activity.
Hidden Agenda Re-election of family member Mr./s Daley.