Explore practices. Build skills. Learn from peers.

Applications are open for the Class of 2024

Priority deadline is Nov 3. Applications accepted through Dec 1.

Managing by Network  2024 Course Flyer  (PDF)

Questions? Contact info@partnership-academy.net

Are you a public agency manager, specialist, coordinator, or front-line supervisor working in partnership, community collaboration and/or Tribal consultation to cooperatively steward our nation's natural and cultural resources?

Join us for Managing by Network, a series of 18 live, interactive webinars that will improve your readiness to apply 22 competencies on the job.

Strengthen your professional skill set to:

• Build consensus and promote trust
• Facilitate internal and external meetings
• Apply persuasion and negotiation strategies
• Recognize conflict and respond effectively
• Evaluate risk and demonstrate accountability
• Assess partnership performance and impacts
• Leverage resources to build collaborative capacity
• Expand your networks to support partnerships

2024 Course Overview

Course Start Date: January 17 & 18, 2024

Course End Date: June 5 & 6, 2024

Course Format: 18 live webinars and 5 self-study weeks. All coursework is completed online, no travel is required. Webinars include instruction, dialogue, peer case studies, live chat and breakout groups. Participants are encouraged to take an active role in discussions and share examples of collaborative practice and partnership programs from their experience. 

Time Commitment: Participants meet weekly for two hours, in one of four seminar-sized groups. Participants must attend a minimum of 10 live webinars to earn a certificate of completion. Optional self-study assignments (videos/podcasts, reading, homework exercises) and peer networking sessions enhance learning and support application on the job. 

Course Schedule: 2024 Dates and Topics

Instructors are practitioners in partnership and community collaboration from the public, nonprofit, and private sector. Featured practices include: collaborative leadership, conflict management, entrepreneurship, facilitation, negotiation, partnership assessment, and more. The course also highlights Federal authorities related to community outreach and public engagement.

Superviso r Approval is required for some applicants. If your position requires supervisor approval for training, you must indicate this on the application. Share the link to the Supervisor's Recommendation Form when completing your application.

Opportunity for Continuing Education: earn a certificate for Managing by Network and qualify for 3 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) or 2 undergraduate college credits. Credits are certified by Shepherd University, WV in partnership with the USFWS National Conservation Training Center.

 MBN FAQ:  Is this course right for you?

Learn more about the competencies.

Managing by Network Learning Objectives

Applying knowledge and skills learned in this course, participants will be able to:

1. Strengthen an internal and external network of individuals and organizations to advance the mission of the agency,
2. Build trust with partners, interested parties, and the public using a professional skill set of 22 competencies,
3. Demonstrate professional competence in applying best practices for partnership, community collaboration, and Tribal consultation,
4. Apply social science concepts and practices to support relevance and resilience in partnering and collaboration,
5. Recognize the relationship between sunshine laws including the Paperwork Reduction Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act to build accountability and trust between public agencies or organizations and their partners, interested parties, and the public.