COALITION BUILDING 101 JENNIFER LYNCH COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION SPECIALIST ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 1606 PINE GROVE LANE HARRISBURG, AR

WHAT IS A COALITION?  An alliance of individuals, groups, parties or states that come together, join forces or form partnerships usually for a specific or common purpose.  A pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining together for a common cause.

ADVANTAGES OF A COALITION  The number of people who are involved  Implementation of varied activities & programs  Networking opportunities  New ideas & energy to existing programs  Good source of information & feedback  Publicity for the program  A distribution network

RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS  Target key community leaders  Involve people whose jobs relate to the work of the coalition  Reach out to non-traditional partners in the community  Identify people who have a personal interest  Keep the size manageable  Develop structure for efficiency & effectiveness

RECRUITMENT PLAN  Develop a formal plan  Orient new members  Prior to first meeting explain the coalitions mission, vision and what their role will be as a member  New member packet/manual  Introduction & welcoming  Debrief after first meeting  Establish a mentoring system  Training to address individual needs

MAINTAINING THE COALITION Celebrate victories both big & small  Success is the best way to keep people involved in your coalition  Keep people motivated & willing to carry on the campaign Demonstrate what people can do & what is in it for them

Run an effective, interesting, productive meeting:  Determine purpose & type  Establish objective & develop an agenda  Follow the agenda and begin & end on time  Recognize issues & agree on how to deal  Encourage participation of all members  Summarize each agenda item as it is completed  Prepare & distribute minutes  Act on or implement decisions  Plan follow-up meetings or activities

Ineffective MeetingEffective Meeting IS YOUR COALITION EFFECTIVE OR INEFFECTIVE?

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES  Manage resources effectively  Allow time for buy-in to insure interest  Provide sufficient funding  Keep moving forward despite unwillingness “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around. Figure out how to climb it, go through it or work around it.”

COMMUNICATION  Send meeting minutes  Send news clippings or articles  Produce newsletters/brochures  Ask your member what they expect “Communication is not the key, the key is understanding what was communicated” Charlotte Strickland