Through experiences with past collaborative efforts, it has been proven that a someone, or a facilitator is required to orchestrate this effort. The role of this person is to facilitate the infrastructure and to keep it moving in the direction that its own participants have designed. This is accomplished through:
Coordinated efforts to assure that the individual agency and community agendas are addressed (understands the community and has the ability to assess the community resources)
Continuous communication and linkages between the chief decision makers, the steering committee, and other community entities as appropriate (is an effective communicator as a mediator and consensus builder)
Facilitation of meeting and plan activities (has ability to facilitate groups in issue identification and problem solving)
This person is detailed oriented, has and keeps the big picture in mind, and understands research and evaluation.
