May 2005 • Volume 2, Issue 5
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54 Chamber Members Participating In RISD Partners Program
 Richardson Chamber of Commerce members currently make up about 25 percent of the participants in the RISD Partners Program. The Chamber's Education Committee is hoping to increase that percentage and ensure that every Richardson school has at least one Chamber member partner.
Chamber members participating in the program are:
Albertsons
Aragon Engraving & Screen Printing Co.
Balfour
Bank of America
Chamber Companies/RISD Partners
Chick-Fil-A Restaurant
City of Richardson
Collin County Community College
Compass Bank
Credit Union of Texas
DART
First United Methodist Church of Richardson
Fossil Company
Fox and Hound English Pub & Grill
Fred Hill, State Representative
Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.
H & R Block
Hewlett-Packard
Honeywell
Jason's Deli
Junior League of Richardson
Keller Williams Realty
Lennox International
McDonald's Restaurant
Minyard Food Stores
Nedley's Restaurant
Neighborhood Service Council
Nortel
Paragon Innovations
Plains Capital Bank
Raytheon Company-Intelligence & Info. Systems
Richardson East Rotary Club
Richardson Regional Medical Center
Richardson Rotary Club
Richardson Veterinary Clinic
Richland College
RISD Tomorrow Inc.
Sam's Club
Sherry Hobbs Allstate Insurance
Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse
State Farm Insurance
State Representative Tony Goolsby's Office
TCS Corporate Services
Tekelec
TEXANS Credit Union
Texas Instruments Incorporated
Texas Land & Cattle Steak House
The Boeing Company
Tom Thumb
University of North Texas
University of Texas at Dallas
Wal-Mart Foundation
Washington Mutual Bank
Z's Florist
What Is The RISD Partners Program?
RISD partnerships are the way that businesses and community groups can establish an ongoing, supportive relationship with one or more RISD schools or programs through volunteerism and donated materials and resources.
Partnerships can also be established in support of programs and enrichment efforts at the district level. Specific opportunities may include:
Academic Tutoring - Under the guidance of school personnel, tutors can assist students in developing the academic skills necessary for success in school while modeling a love of learning. Academic tutoring is an area of continual need for many RISD schools, and offers a time commitment of 30-45 minutes per week.
Judging - Evaluating individual or districtwide competitions, potentially including student projects or performances. Examples include Science Fair, Invention Convention, Destination Imagination, Academic Decathlon and similar events. Judging generally offers a time commitment of 2-3 hours a day over 2-3 days.
Academic Enrichment - Allows career professionals in a related field to interact with students interested in that field through curriculum-related activities. Examples may include Science Fair, Invention Convention, and research projects, enhancing higher-level coursework and similar enriching activities. This type of volunteering offers a flexible time commitment.
Bilingual Volunteers - Working with campus staff, bilingual volunteers can assist with parent and community projects and interaction, and offers a flexible time commitment.
Event Volunteering - Volunteering time at school-related or districtwide events, such as field days, holiday events, assemblies or fundraising events. Specific events will vary by school. Some districtwide events include Science Fair, Invention Convention, Destination Imagination, and Academic Decathlon. The time commitment will vary from 45 minutes to three hours over 1-3 days.
Resource or Material Donations - Schools are frequently in need of equipment or materials for enrichment projects, programs or events. Partners may be in a position to donate such equipment or materials as circumstances allow.
Financial Support - Some partners may wish to support a specific school or the district through financial contributions. While direct financial support is always needed and well-received, partners interested in maintaining an ongoing financial partnership are encouraged to work through RISD Tomorrow, the non-profit foundation dedicated to educational excellence in RISD schools. Financial partners may experience more flexibility and tax advantages by working with RISD Tomorrow.
How Does An RISD Partnership Function?
RISD personnel will initially work with RISD partners to identify mutually beneficial roles with potential schools or programs. Some potential partners may already have decided on a school or program to support, but in all cases, partnerships are tailored to fit each partner's interests and desired levels of involvement.
A key component of a partnership is a willingness to maintain an ongoing relationship with the school or program over a specified period of time, such as a school year or a semester. The longer a partnership exists, the stronger the bond that develops.
After RISD staff assists with the initial facilitation and parameters of the partnership, ongoing contact, scheduling and requests for assistance will occur with the campus or program point of contact.
Most partnerships progress to become mutually rewarding, long-term investments in both education and the greater community. 
What Are The Benefits For An RISD Partner?
Becoming a school or district partner through the RISD Partners Program offers a number of benefits:
Partners are publicly recognized through a variety of methods by the school and district as a business or organization that has taken a leadership role in giving back to the community.
Long-term partners engender loyalty from the school and district community, often providing a competitive advantage for businesses.
Partnerships offer team building opportunities for employees or members.
Partnerships offer opportunities for enhancing leadership skills of employees or members.
Individuals within the partnering business or organization are presented with a personal opportunity to touch the future while making a positive difference for our community and schools. The personal satisfaction that comes with helping children can provide a rewarding, fulfilling experience.
Quality Education Is Everybody's Business
It's no myth that quality schools are a sign of a good community. And a strong community is often an indicator of a good school system. The communities of Richardson and north Dallas have a strong tradition of being closely involved in their schools and the RISD Partners Program exists to nurture and encourage that school and community spirit.
In an era of increasing state and national academic accountability and fiscal constraints, partnerships have proven critical for schools and programs to continue to offer exceptional educational opportunities for all children.
What Does A Partnership Entail?
Committing to be a school or program partner means that a business or organization is willing to dedicate time and resources supporting their public school district in the knowledge that giving back to schools strengthens the entire community.
Becoming An RISD Partner
To become a partner, contact RISD at 469-593-0301. A staff member will answer your questions, discuss potential school and program partnership opportunities that exist within RISD, and work to ensure that partnership resources are directed where most needed.
If a prospective partner prefers to work with a specific school or program, they are always welcome to contact the principal or program coordinator directly. Volunteer background check forms must be completed by each person wishing to volunteer in an RISD school. Please download a form at www.risd.org/Community/BusOrgVol.pdf.
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