Forming Community Coalitions A Statewide OHCE Leader Lesson 2008 Renée A. Daugherty, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Extension Specialist Department of Human Development and Family Science Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Oklahoma State University

Lesson Objectives By participating in this lesson, you will learn to: n Recognize the three basics elements of coalescing/partnering. n Use recruitment tips and strategies, including convening the first meeting. n Recognize the ten dangerous traps that can threaten the sustainability of a coalition. n Use the Sustainability Web.

The Basics of Coalescing/Partnering 1 - Respect for Each Group n Encourage a joint approach to: n define problems n identify solutions n define success n Respect the skills & capacities of partners n Recognize that you have as much to learn as you have to offer

The Basics of Coalescing/Partnering 2 - Accessibility n Help inexperienced partners negotiate the complex structure of each other’s organization n Make what you offer more readily available –Properly publicized? –Expertise equally available to all?

The Basics of Coalescing/Partnering 3 – Resources for the Coalition n Invest what is needed to make it work; partnerships are not free –time –effort –monetary resources n special allocations? n corporate sponsorship and investment? n new fee structures for services delivered? n government, universities, others?

Recruiting Partners Starting Points n Be clear about the purpose of the coalition. n Prepare a brief description of the issue. n List groups/organizations that have the capacity to be part of the coalition. ResourcesLegitimacy Consistent goals Composition Motivation to partner

Recruiting Partners Starting Points, cont’d n Develop background on potential partners –Type of relationships with community –How/when to approach n Develop a time frame. n Invite to participate. –Introductory letter –Follow-up meeting/appointment n Convene the first meeting of the coalition.

Recruiting Partners Convening – the First Meeting Recruiting Partners Convening – the First Meeting Use the first meeting to develop: n Responsibilities/roles of each partner n Ways to make the coalition mutually beneficial –Common goal or vision –Allowance for each partner to achieve his/her goals –Potential for different outcomes –Sharing of resources n Guidelines on sharing clientele (if applicable)

Sustaining the Partnership n 10 Dangerous Traps n The Sustainability Web

Sustaining the Partnership 1. Loss of Direction or Focus Suggestions –Review issue description –Conduct a seminar –Select strong leaders

Sustaining the Partnership 2. Loss of Leadership or Leadership Struggles Suggestions –Change leadership –Develop role descriptions –Conduct an orientation –Select “neutral” and competent leaders

Sustaining the Partnership 3. Founding-Partner Syndrome Suggestions: –Shift leadership –Assign new responsibilities –Develop leadership guidelines and policies –Rotate meeting chairs

Sustaining the Partnership 4. Unequal Involvement & Recognition of Partners Suggestions: –Involve every partner. –Set limits for minimum involvement. –Rotate leadership positions. –Conduct orientation sessions. –Provide team-building opportunities. –Recognize partner contributions to the coalition.

Sustaining the Partnership 5. Poor Planning Efforts Suggestions: –Start small –Provide training n Leaders n Partners –Evaluate annually

Sustaining the Partnership 6. Negative Publicity Suggestions: –Get accurate information to partners. –Appoint a public spokesperson. –Correct inaccuracies –Acknowledge & correct errors. –Develop a crisis communications plan. –Change leadership.

Sustaining the Partnership 7. Failure of Planned Projects Suggestions: –Hold a debriefing. –Study causes. –Recognize positives. –Assess capacity. –Solicit outside feedback. –Launch a small project.

Sustaining the Partnership 8. Burnout Suggestions: –Slow down. –Rotate leadership. –Have fun. –Get feedback on expectations. –Conduct stress reduction seminars. –Expand membership.

Sustaining the Partnership 9. Bureaucratic Structure Suggestions: –Streamline structure. –Take new approaches. –Rotate leadership. –Brainstorm alternative approaches to doing work. –Simplify policies and procedures.

Sustaining the Partnership 10. Turf Battles Suggestions: –Talk about differences. –Mediate differences. –Develop a grantsmanship plan. –Seek “common ground”.

Sustaining the Partnership Sustainability Web

What Did You Learn Today? “Headlines” Evaluation Technique