The United States Cooperative Extension System: Contributing to a Partnership System

Abstract

How does an institution navigate current societal pressures and historical social inequities to move toward a partnerism system? Partnersim is defined as a socio-economic system that values and rewards caring for one another, nature, and our collective future. This article provides a preliminary look at two examples in which the University of Minnesota Extension is moving toward a partnership system. An analysis of results from surveys of two units, one of staff from the Center of Family Development and one of staff and board members from the Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, revealed four factors that influence organizations toward either a domination system or a partnership system. A discussion of the four factors addresses the challenges and the benefits of moving toward a partnership system.