- Partnering Objectives -
To ensure AAW efficiently and effectively reaches the community of those with disabilities of all ages and backgrounds including our veterans, AAW partners with organizations serving this demographic. These include nature centers, outdoor and conservation organizations, and sports clubs becoming part of the AAW Network and serving as local hosts for access to AAW equipment (all-terrain outdoor chairs, enclosed trailers, and more). These organizations assume responsibility for -
"OUTDOORS Access 4 All!" Model:
Partnering, Outreach, & Community Engagement
Examples include:
outreach and awareness about the importance of increased access to the outdoors and nature for the entire community;
implementing accessing the outdoors;
accessibility for local outdoor programming; and
representing AAW in the community.
Hosting Program
Processing Reservations:
Taking reservations at their locations for the community to use off-site and in some cases like nature centers on-site use may be available.
Ensuring the entire reservation process including completion of surveys and sharing media (pictures, video, new articles).
Maintenance of AAW’s equipment.
AAW's responsibilities include purchasing equipment, paying insurance, training host locations, and reporting survey results and stories back to grantors.
Together we market availability and access to equipment.
Working together on this leads to success on two fronts. It is extending AAW’s reach and allowing even more people access to the great outdoors.
How to become a Network Partner?
Review it
DISCUSS IT INTERNALLY
Include stakeholders from the executive director to those who will be doing equipment checkout and check-in
Identify events or activities in which your organization can reserve and check out AAW equipment to use for increasing outdoor access in your community/location. This will be considered a "Try Me" step.
SUBMIT Hosting Program Application to our Admin Staff (admin@accessabilitywi.org) and Business Manager.
AAW will confirm application acceptance prior to the next step.
2) Potential AAW Network Partner Questionnaire
After confirmation from AAW, submit the "Questionnaire".
A questionnaire review will happen with AAW staff.
3) *Try Me* and Collaboration
AAW staff or Business Manager will schedule a conference call/meeting to review the next steps:
Confirm "Try Me" event/activity, - NOTE: This is a requirement for all potential network partners / hosting program facilitators.
Review reservation process, AAW OA4A model (AAW resources, outreach, networking, policies, and procedures), and confirm equipment availability,
Debrief the "Try Me" activity/event with all parties, and
Address any concerns or limitations.
REVIEW AND DISCUSS IT INTERNALLY
Include stakeholders from the executive director to those who will be regularly involved in equipment checkout and check-in
Legal review if needed, and
Identify Marketing Opportunities.
SUBMIT signed MOA
5) AAW Board Review of all incoming MOAs and Applications
AAW internally discusses "Try Me" debriefs, potential hosts, and submitted MOAs at scheduled board meetings.
AAW Leadership identifies any gaps (and a legal review may be needed).
AAW staff or Business Manager schedules an update call if needed.
6) Partnership/Collaboration
AAW staff or Business Manager will schedule a conference call/meeting to review the next steps:
Review reservation process, AAW resources, AAW policies and procedures,
Finish press release, marketing, website/social media plans, updates with identified open house/ribbon cutting promotional event, (NOTE: this all happens prior to any equipment being allocated to the AAW Network Host),
Schedule training online and in-person (minimum 3 people), and
Address any concerns or limitations.
These are required for monthly, quarterly, and annual communication. We want to review outcomes and discuss goals so that we are working together.