July 2005

Clinic on Regional Collaboration

Sponsored by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Armando Carbonell , Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Matthew McKinney, The University of Montana

Background and Purpose

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (LILP) is a nonprofit educational institution established in 1974.  It seeks to inform and invigorate land policy through research and education programs.  The Institute does not advocate a particular point of view, but rather brings together scholars, policymakers, and citizens with a variety of backgrounds and experience to study, reflect, and exchange insights on land and tax policies.

In cooperation with several organizations, LILP teaches a two-day professional development course on Regional Collaboration: Learning to Think and Act Like a Region.  To complement this skill-building course, LILP is available to convene a limited number of hands-on clinics with stakeholders in their own regions.

A clinic may serve one of two purposes:

1. Some sponsors use a clinic to provide a catalytic event for people from a common region citizens, advocacy groups, government officials, and people from business and industry to come together and begin the process of thinking and acting regionally.
2. In other cases, sponsors host a clinic to help people already engaged in a regional initiative overcome an impasse and otherwise build their capacity.  In short, a clinic is designed to meet the unique needs and interests of the sponsor.  In turn, LILP develops research and educational materials from each clinic experience.

LILP will provide 2 to 3 faculty to work with local sponsors to organize and facilitate the clinic.  The precise roles and responsibilities of LILP and the local sponsor are presented below.

To Apply

If you are interested in hosting a clinic, please send us a letter of application that explains the following:

1. History, nature, and status of your region and regional initiative.
2. What are your regional goals and aspirations?
3. Your expectations for the clinic:
   1. How will the clinic help you achieve your goals?  What would you like to achieve or accomplish as a result of the clinic?
   2. Who would be involved?  Who are you trying to engage and influence?
   3. What type of logistics and resources would you be able to commit to the clinic?
   4. When would like to convene the clinic?
   5. What are your plans to communicate the results of the clinic and to take appropriate action?

We will consider your application along with all of the others that we receive.  We would like to work with as many different regions as possible, given available resources.  We will consider the following criteria in making our selection:

• The region may be of any size, shape, or type.  It may occur in any geographic setting, and any physical or temporal dimension. 
• There must be common sense of region or place, preferably among people with diverse viewpoints and interests.
• The region should display evidence of, or at least the potential for, significant degrees of inter-jurisdictional cooperation, inter-disciplinary action, and public recognition and support.
• The regional initiative should be place-based and substantially concerned with the challenge of integrating social, economic, and environmental values.
• The regional initiative should be issue-driven (e.g., a threat, need, or opportunity) and either objective-driven (e.g., to reduce pollution, preserve open space, mitigate sprawl) or process-driven (e.g., related to an established policy or program).
• The regional initiative should be specific and focused on real people, places, and issues.  The issue(s) must center on some aspect land use or policy.

Any group of citizens, non-governmental organization, or government agency may apply to sponsor a regional collaboration clinic.  Recent sponsors have included:

• Delaware River Basin Commission
• U.S. Forest Service, New York-New Jersey Highlands Office
• Regional Planning Association
• San Luis Valley (Colorado) Resources Development Group
• Rhode Island Economic Policy Council
• The Nature Conservancy

Responsibilities of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

LILP agrees to:

1. Provide at least two staff with experience in regional collaboration to help design and facilitate the clinic and serve as resource people. 
2. Pay for the time and expenses (travel, car rental, meals, lodging, and so on) of the staff.
3. Conduct interviews with stakeholders as appropriate, and prepare a report prior to the clinic.
4. Provide a master copy of all resource materials for the clinic (including an evaluation form).
5. Facilitate the clinic and provide additional resource people as appropriate.
6. Prepare a report including recommendations of participants and our own recommendations based on our experience following the clinic.
7. Serve all of the participants equally, not just the sponsor.  In other words, LILP?s recommendations will be designed to address the full range of interests and viewpoints expressed during the interviews and clinics.
8. Summarize the completed evaluation forms and share them with the sponsor.

The sponsor is responsible for all logistical and organizational arrangements, in consultation with LILP, including:

1. Creating and maintaining a master list of people to interview and invite to the clinic.
2. Scheduling interviews.
3. Gathering and organizing background information.
4. Marketing the clinic as appropriate (e.g., designing, printing, and distributing promotional materials).
5. Ensuring adequate participation by the diversity of stakeholders interested in or affected by the topics to be addressed.
6. Arranging for facilities at which the clinic will be held.  LILP staff will provide advice regarding the room arrangements and audiovisual equipment needed.
7. Managing all clinic registrations.
8. Photocopying and distributing clinic materials.
9. Receiving, disbursing, and accounting for all funds associated with the clinic.
10. Providing refreshment at breaks, lunches, dinners, and any accommodations necessary.
11. Providing staff during the clinic to take registration, distribute materials, serve refreshments, assist at an information table, and otherwise support the clinic.

For more information, please contact:
Matthew McKinney, Ph.D.
Faculty Associate, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Director, Public Policy Research Institute
The University of Montana
516 N. Park Ave.
Helena, MT  59601