Formalizing the WeGo Charter
The development and formalization of the WeGo Together for Kids Charter was a key infrastructure success story this reporting period. The Steering Committee had been operating without formal processes for decision making and other day-to-day activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic and racial equity focused events over the last year-and-a-half, the Steering Committee had to make several pivotal decisions quickly to ensure that WeGo Together was able to respond to a dynamic environment in which many families were facing crises.
While the Steering Committee was able to build on informal processes developed over the years to make those decisions, the additional clarity that the process and the Charter itself has brought around key processes has strengthened Steering Committee members’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities, increased transparency in decision-making, and improved the efficiency of the work the Steering Committee does. This will ensure that WeGo Together for Kids continues to be able to quickly and flexibly address community needs with transparency.
The Steering Committee expects that the revised partner MoU will strengthen the engagement of some partners who will have increased clarity about their role and responsibilities and a greater stake in the Network. In addition to the Charter, the process has prompted WeGo Together for Kids to revisit its administrative and fiscal agreements with District 33 and Metropolitan Family Services. Ongoing discussions are occurring to develop formal agreements that provide more structure and clarity to expectations for all stakeholders.
- United Way Neighborhood Network Grant Report, 2021
