Show your intent to build enduring partnerships

This work takes time. Communicate to community members how you and your organization plan to stay involved in the community for the long term. Show them your commitment to work with them for the long haul by generating ideas to continue the work even as the outreach is getting started. Bring along more staff if possible and build organizational relationships in addition to personal relationships that show organizational commitment to the project so that if a particular person must leave the community, the process can go on.

Continued effort

One way to show commitment is to establish a schedule of meetings that demonstrates your intent to stay engaged and follow up consistently between meetings by email or phone. You can also begin to share resources like potential funding opportunities. This effort is very worthwhile because it tells the community members that the work is a priority and is being taken seriously. Finally, be responsive to the values and needs of various community members.