Some win-win memorandums of understanding should be negotiated before any money is spent on this joint-endeavor, while others could be created at later stages in the process and as the need arises. Play & Learn L.A. will take responsibility for proposing the parameters of each of these proposed memorandums in order to facilitate the necessary dialogue. Possible memorandums of understanding would include but not be limited to:
(1) Preoperational matters
a. Process to secure the location. This would include an agreement on answers to such questions as:
i. Which geographic zones would be appropriate as possible locations? Within those zones, how important is access to mass transportation and store-front visibility on heavily used street fares?
ii. What is the range of building size we will look for? What type of facility configurations would be appropriate for the needs of each component of the Center and how will the space and costs be allocated?
iii. For an existing building, what are the maximum costs to rehabilitate the building; how those decisions would be made jointly; what contractors would be used and what process to choose those contractors; and who would bear which percentage of costs on such improvements?
iv. For new developments, what are the maximum costs to construct the building; what developers would be used and what process to choose those developers; how those decisions would be made jointly and who would bear which percentage of costs on such construction?
v. Once the location is secured, how will the two components of the Center be configured?
b. Pre-operation fundraising. This would include an agreement on answers to such questions as:
i. Which foundations, individual donors, corporations and government funds including redevelopment funding would we jointly-seek funding from and which, if any, would we individually seek funding from?
ii. What percentage of the funds from sources listed above would go to each component of the Center?
iii. Which organization would be responsible for each funding proposal; what administrative fees for that responsible organization would be segregated in addition to the agreed upon percentage of the funds for each organization?
(2) Operational matters
a. Branding: This would include answers to such questions:
i. Will the Center be named “Play & Learn L.A.” and how will our respective organizations’ names be featured at the Center and in all publicity about the Center?
ii. How will publicity for the Center and for our joint-effort be framed and what opportunities will we seek? How will we coordinate an aggressive publicity campaign for the Center and for our joint-efforts?
iii. What type of community outreach will we do to ensure this project captures the public’s imagination and is known to our targeted users; who will be responsible for those efforts; how will decisions be made around these issues?
b. Access to Center’s space and facilities. This would include answers to such questions:
i. What hours/days will the Center be in operation?
ii. What opportunities will Play & Learn L.A. have to use the multi-use spaces of the Agency to rent for birthdays and other events and how will the income from those events be divided? What opportunities will the users of the Agency’s programs have to use the galleries of Play & Learn L.A. for programs or play?
c. Programming nexus. This would include answers to such questions:
i. What are the range of services The Agency would offer? What would be their target age-groups and populations? What level of staffing would The Agency utilize at the Center?
ii. What are the galleries that Play & Learn L.A. would install? What staffing patters would Play & Learn L.A. use in servicing the families that utilize the Play Center? What involvement will the community and The Agency have in choosing which galleries are installed and which staffing patterns are utilized?
d. Insurance and other safety and liability issues. This would include answers to such questions:
i. What security precautions will be taken for the Center’s contents, for its employees and for its users?
ii. What trainings will staff be given in terms of safety practices and security measures? What role in and access to the Center will volunteers have and what measures will be taken to screen and train potential volunteers for either component of the Center?
iii. What insurance will be purchased and how will the costs be apportioned?
Each organization could also considering placing and accepting a leader from their partner organization onto the other organization’s Board of Directors.
Submitted by: Scott McVarish
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