Memorandum of Understanding Formalizes
Multiple Partners'
Commitment
to Byway Organization
Whether by contract or verbal agreement, byways have been able to access the resources and services of government agencies. Many of the byway representatives participating in the roundtable discussions organized by Seaway Trail, Inc. talked about different types of relationships they have developed with government entities. These respective relationships – formal and informal - bring government funds, personnel, expertise, and other resources to the byway organizations. In one instance, a multi-page Memorandum of Understanding identifies multiple partners and their commitment to support a non-profit byway organization.
Who/What/Where:
The Dinosaur Diamond Byway is a two-state circular route through Eastern Utah and Western Colorado. The byway’s anchor points are two national park sites: the Arches National Park and the Dinosaur National Monument. The 501-c-3 byway organization has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) (PDF) with forty-some signatories, including government agencies.
Among the signatories on the byway’s MOU is the federal Bureau of Land Management, which provides the services of an employee who has a commitment to the byway written into his contract. In 2004, a city human resources director and a museum director were serving as byway organization co-chairs. The organization contracted a part-time coordinator that year and the museum director provides office space at the museum for the byway coordinator.
When:
Partners may join the partnership with a majority vote; they may withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding at any time. Bimonthly meetings bring the active partners together at various sites in Colorado one month and Utah the next on a rotating basis.
How:
For details on how the partnership functions, see the MOU.
Funding Potential:
The funding potential of this type of agreement rests with the participating partners.
Why an MOU:
• Generates program, management, and funding support
• Creates byway-community-government partnerships
Resources:
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This project was funded in part by a |
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