The choice between the terms "community partner" and "vendor" reflects Dromen's values, communication style, and approach to relationships. The terms carry different connotations and can shape perceptions in various ways:

Collaboration vs. Transaction:

• Community Partner: Implies a more collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship. It suggests working together toward common goals and fostering a sense of community.
• Vendor: May imply a more transactional relationship focused on buying and selling goods or services.

Long-Term Relationships vs. Short-Term Transactions:

• Community Partner: Suggests a commitment to building long-term, sustainable relationships. It implies a partnership that goes beyond a single transaction.
• Vendor: Often associated with a transactional nature, where the focus may be on individual purchases rather than ongoing collaboration.

Shared Values vs. Business Transaction:

• Community Partner: Implies a shared commitment to values, goals, or a common purpose. It often resonates with a sense of partnership and shared responsibility.
• Vendor: Emphasizes a business transaction where one party provides goods or services to another in exchange for payment.

Relationship-Centric vs. Transaction-Centric:

• Community Partner: Suggests a relationship-centric approach, emphasizing the importance of the partnership and the impact it can have on both parties.
• Vendor: May be perceived as more transaction-centric, with the primary focus on the exchange of goods or services.

Positive Perception vs. Transactional Stereotype:

• Community Partner: Tends to evoke a more positive and inclusive image, fostering a sense of collaboration and community.
• Vendor: May carry a more transactional stereotype, potentially implying a more impersonal or business-oriented relationship.