M-T1-SP-03 · A 90-day try-out

A club plan for NGO Partnership Development

Use this as a starting point. Cross out what does not fit, add what is missing and make it your club's own.

Where this idea came from

Playbook entry: M-T1-SP-03 · NGO Partnership Development
Theme: Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme SP: Strategic Partnerships
Source material: Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry: M-T1-SP-03 · NGO Partnership Development

1. Is this worth trying here?

What we hope will change: Create an evidence-led partnership with an NGO whose specialist delivery capacity complements Rotary's convening, volunteer or fundraising strengths.

What is happening in our club or community now?What is the smallest useful version we could try? What will we leave out?

Board contactPerson leading the workPerson checking what happened

2. Our 90-day try-out

What our club will do for NGO Partnership Development
Step	What we will do	Who could lead it
1	Screen potential NGOs against mission fit, capability, geography and integrity criteria.	Due-diligence lead
2	Compare theories of change and identify the smallest useful joint outcome.	Service director
3	Test references, financial controls and safeguarding arrangements.	Governance reviewer
4	Negotiate a written workplan, budget, evidence schedule and escalation path.	Partnership negotiator
5	Approve continuation only after an evidence and relationship checkpoint.	Club board

3. Checks before we start

Things our club needs to check
Question	What it means for us	Who will check	Done?
Keep due-diligence evidence and recheck sanctions, registration and key personnel when risk warrants.
Separate restricted funds, approve expenditure authorities and prohibit unverified impact or tax claims.
High — partner integrity, safeguarding, restricted funds and overseas exposure may create material legal and reputational risk.

4. What changed?

What we will keep an eye on
What matters	Where we are now	What we hope to see	How we will check	Who
Due-diligence decision is completed and signed.

After 30 days

Is it reaching the right people? Is anything unsafe, unfair or harder than expected?

After 60 days

Make one useful change based on what people have told you.

After 90 days

Compare with where you started. Decide whether to change it, continue it or stop.

Before your club says yes

Does the idea fit?

Talk with the people it is meant to serve and check that the need is real.

We have checked this

Who can say yes?

Name the person or group that can approve the work, spending and any safety arrangements.

We have checked this

Are people protected?

Check privacy, consent and safety. Collect only the information you genuinely need.

We have checked this

Can everyone take part?

Check the language, format, place, technology and cost for barriers.

We have checked this

Are the facts and permissions right?

Check names, claims, images, quotations, partner references and Rotary branding.

We have checked this

How will we learn?

Note where things stand now, check in at 30, 60 and 90 days, and decide what to do next.

We have checked this

Worksheets for your club

Open them online, print them or change them to suit the way your club works.

Partnership and stakeholder map

Use this worksheet to agree what the club and any partners will each contribute, decide and protect.

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Implementation and budget plan

Use this worksheet to turn the idea into a short list of actions, dates, costs and responsibilities.

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Workflow and minimum-data register

Use this worksheet to map each step and keep only the information the club genuinely needs.

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