MOU
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Between
GPRWC UNITED WAY NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK
and
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
COLLABORATIVE PARTICIPATION
IN THE GPRWC UNITED WAY NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK
2022-2023
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) describes the agreed-upon responsibilities and expectations between the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative (GPRWC-UWNN) and Community Partners, collectively referred to as the “Parties,” with respect to collaboration and participation in United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s Garfield Park Neighborhood Network. It defines the relationship between the Parties and the roles and responsibilities of each.
Background
The Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative (GPRWC) is a group of residents, faith-based and health care institutions, nonprofits, and other stakeholders who have come together to identify, promote and implement strategies to increase health and wellness in Garfield Park. Our mission is to cultivate Black Culture Wellness by addressing the spiritual, socioeconomic, political and physical needs of Garfield Park through engaged cooperative participation among all community residents and stakeholders. GPRWC envisions a vibrant community and culture where legacy and future residents experience the highest quality of life.
As an outgrowth of that collaborative work, mission and vision, GPRWC has been designated as the lead agency in facilitating the creation and operation of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago’s Garfield Park Neighborhood Network (UWNN). The goal of the UWNN is to work cooperatively with GPRWC to create lasting change by attacking systemic issues with an integrated, focused and community level approach. More specifically, UWNN is tasked with working collaboratively with GPRWC to create and implement a Quality of Life Plan for Garfield Park. This includes coordinating the ongoing participation of community stakeholders in “working” committees tasked with the creation and implementation of focused, community designed action plans to address specific issue areas in Garfield Park.
Partners in the GPRWC United Way Neighborhood Network are committed to this common purpose and agree to work collaboratively to achieve common goals.
Governance
GPRWC-UWNN operates within an organizational framework designed to provide strong leadership, oversight and guidance of strategic planning and project implementation and equitable representation of partners. Committee will oversee the following but not limited to:
Responsibility
● Serve on at least one QLP/GPRWC-UWNN issue based Sub-Committee
● Approve long-term strategic direction and plan
● Approve annual goals and objectives
● Approve budget
● Attend a minimum of 75% of meetings
● Connect GPRWC-UWNN to resources in the community
● Be a public voice of GPRWC-UWNN and advocate for children and families in the community
● Donate time, services/goods and/or funds
Full Partnership Decision-Making Rule and Protocol
● Members with a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are eligible to vote. Each organization receives one vote, regardless of the number of individuals from the organization at the meeting.
● All motions will be provided on the meeting agenda prior to the meeting and discussion will take place during the identified meeting.
● A minimum of 65% of partners must cast a vote in order for the vote to carry.
Roles and Responsibilities of Parties
The Parties agree on the following roles and responsibilities and will perform accordingly.
Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative will:
● Serve as the backbone for the United Way Neighborhood Network including:
o Facilitating all GPRWC-UWNN partner meetings including sub-committees
o Lead onboarding of new partners
● Promote programs and activities in the community
● Create opportunities, when possible, for mutually beneficial activities such as developing action plans, professional development opportunities, policy agendas, and collaborative fund raising
● Collaborate with leaders or partner organizations in the Garfield Park community, including the engagement of new partners
Community Partners will:
● Assign at least one individual who will regularly participate in meetings and serve on a QLP/network sub-committee of GPRWC-UWNN;
● Make and secure your organization’s commitments for action and resources towards measurable improvements as detailed in the Garfield Park Quality of Life plan, the GPRWC-UWNN strategic plan and the GPRWC-UWNN annual work plan.
● Make the details (intake process, eligibility, etc.) of your programs and services available to the GPRWC-UWNN Manager and other partners.
● Promote GPRWC-UWNN affiliated programs and activities in the community.
Both Parties will:
● Work to build a collaborative network that is respectful of all partners and their work.
● Prioritize meeting attendance and attend all meetings prepared to fully engage in the discussion.
● Disclose any conflicts of interest which prevent or prohibit participation in any decision or aspect of GPRWC-UWNN activity.
● Use data to inform strategy and continuous improvement.
● Track progress using agreed-upon indicators.
● Ensure client confidentiality in all data collection and reporting activities.
Time Frame
This MOU shall become effective upon signature by the authorized officials and will remain in effect until modified or until it is terminated by either Party or by mutual consent. The MOU will be reviewed by each Party annually.
Termination
This MOU is a nonbinding agreement that the Parties have entered into in good faith. A Party may disassociate from the effort without penalty or liability by providing the other Party with written notice. Written notice shall be sent sixty (60) days prior to the disassociation. This MOU in no way restricts GPRWC, UWNN, and Community Partners from participating in similar activities with other public or private agencies, organizations and individuals.
Acceptance
The Parties acknowledge and accept the terms outlined above. Each individual signing this MOU represents and warrants that he or she is authorized to execute and deliver this MOU.
GARFIELD PARK RITE TO WELLNESS COLLABORATIVE (GPRWC)
By: __________________________________ Date: ______________
Name: Theodore J. Crawford
Title: Executive Director
COMMUNITY PARTNER
By: __________________________________ Date: ______________
Name:
Title: