Policy & Advocacy OKR
Build a documented engagement strategy to encourage information sharing and effective partnerships (i.e., bring clarity to partner roles across the ecosystem).
Key Result: Onboard six (6) additional partners with a new engagement strategy deepening digital inclusion goals within their organization.
This year, a number of improvements were brought to the partner onboarding for the CDE. These will help to streamline the process and improve the partner experience while also giving partners the information and context they need for success. So far, we have had:
- 55 partners have completed the Partner Engagement Process
- 25 of the 55 are brand-new partners who have joined us
- 3 of these partners are organizations that serve Spanish-speaking communities
- We continue to reach out to our long-time partners to complete our new process
A key part of this new process was the creation of three partner tiers that help better define the levels of commitment organizations can have when it comes to the CDE’s central mission. These allow organizations to partner in a way that best suits their goals and structure, with various levels of engagement depending on their capacity. The tiers are Explorer, Innovator, and Champion:
For example, organizations in the Explorer tier will get communications from the CDE, invites to select events, and opportunities to volunteer, allowing them to stay in the loop with regard to the area’s digital equity activities. They also have access to some training opportunities.
The Innovator tier, on the other hand, is for organizations and individuals who are looking for a more in-depth partnership, especially around services—for example, having Digital Navigator office hours on site. Innovators are more regularly engaged in digital equity work and receive more involved support from the CDE.
Champions are our “anchors” that play a vital role in digital equity activities. Current Champions include Eliminate the Digital Divide (E2D), the City of Charlotte, Goodwill, the Mecklenburg County Library system, and Per Scholas…with even more organizations interested in this level of participation.
Regardless of tier, each partner completes the new orientation so that they understand the history of the CDE, ways to get involved, and the tier system—including expectations that come with their own tier. (For example, Champions are expected to share data regularly to support the ecosystem dashboard and other partner organizations.) This improved orientation, with the tier system, gives organizations a clear path forward for engaging with the CDE and incorporating digital inclusion goals into their own strategic planning. Thus, we are happy to report that mid-way through the year, we have not only met our objective to onboard new partners but have also improved the process in a way that will continue to promote future growth and partnership.