Self-Guided Course

Partnerships, Trust & Community Influence

Lead with trust, connect with purpose, and shape how your community sees Main Street.

Strong Main Street leaders build more than programs—they build relationships. This course explores how to form authentic partnerships, communicate with transparency, and shape public perception through trust and credibility. Learn practical ways to expand your network and strengthen your community’s confidence in your work.

Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Launching Formal Learning: 100 points

Group of eighteen people standing on a sidewalk in Columbia, Tennessee, posing beside a blue historical marker for The Memorial Building with trees, banners, and downtown buildings in the background. — Columbia, Tennessee. Photo by Main Street America.

Overview

Course Outline

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Identify and map potential partners across civic, business, and community sectors.
Apply principles of trust and credibility to strengthen relationships.
Recognize how public perception shapes your program’s influence.
Develop strategies to expand your circles of influence.
Take small, actionable steps to strengthen partnerships and build trust.

Section 1: Introduction
- 1.1 Welcome
- 1.2 Course Design & Engagement
Section 2: Partnerships, Trust & Community Influence
- 2.1 Partnerships, Trust & Community Influence
Section 3: Conclusion
- 3.1 Final Takeaways
- 3.2 Main Street Convo
- 3.3 Survey