1st Edition

A Guide to Collaborative Communication for Service-Learning and Community Engagement Partners

By Rebecca Dumlao Copyright 2018
    192 Pages
    by Routledge

    192 Pages
    by Routledge

    This book focuses on partnerships at the most basic level of interaction – between two people as they work toward common goals. Interpersonal dynamics described in this book are intended to guide formal and institutional relationships between members of a community or community organization on the one hand and representatives from campus on the other. Collaborative communication principles and practices shared can form a foundation for individuals to build flexible, lasting relationships that will weather most challenges and sustain the larger partnerships of their respective organizations.This book offers a conceptual framework of collaborative communication to build and sustain partnerships, recognizing that relationships change over time as the people involved and their circumstances evolve. Collaborative communication uses a repertoire of knowledge and skills that allow partners to make choices that fit their situation or context and to work through differences and challenges as they occur, to include managing conflict and navigating cultural differences. It further takes into account the different means of communication, whether face-to-face, using e-mail, text messaging, or social media. Readers will appreciate the numerous real world examples that illustrate and bring its key concepts to life.This book is addressed to partners at all levels focused on community engagement and service-learning. It is intended for preparing college students to work more effectively in the community, as well as for workshops for community and campus members who work with service-learning students. It can equally be used in leadership workshops in academic and community settings. Scholars, students, or community members involved in community engaged research will also find useable ideas for their work. The appendices offer an annotated bibliography of useful resources and provide readers with a repertoire of activities for building a collaborative communication repertoire.

    Foreword by Cathy Burack Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Thinking About Ourselves and Our Partnerships 2. Community Engagement and Partnership Communication 3. The Collaborative Communication Framework 4. Practices and Processes for Collaborative Communication 5. Leadership in a Changing World 6. Navigating Cultural Differences while Preserving Relationships 7. Dealing with Partner Differences and Conflicts 8. Creative Change for Future Community Engagement Appendix. Learning Activities Annotated Bibliography References About the Author Index

    Biography

    Rebecca Dumlao is a professor in the School of Communication, East Carolina University.

    From the Foreword:

    “There are few resources that thoroughly address the hows of good practice; the ways to authentically and effectively bring the principles required for successful campus/community partnerships to life. And what about community partners? What resources and tools exist for them to engage with their higher education partner? The currently popular idiom ‘not so much’ comes to mind. This volume powerfully addresses both the shoulds and the hows of what I believe is the central component of the success of any on-going partnership or relationship: communication.”

    Cathy Burack, Senior Fellow

    Higher Education Center for Youth and Communities, Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University