Molly Cisco—Wisconsin Heather McDonald—ConnecticutDarby Penney—New York Ann Rider—Washington

Shared Power for Social Change

*Definition of Coalition

*co·a·li·tion noun \ˌkō-ə-ˈli-shən\

1 a : the act of coalescing  b : a body formed by the coalescing of originally distinct elements 

2: a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action

*In Other Words . . .

*To grow together

*To unite into a whole 

*To unite for a common end

*To arise from the combination of distinct elements

*Why Build a Coalition?

*Significant or disturbing community events (Tucson, Newtown)*Changes in circumstances or regulations (Outpatient Commitment laws)*The need to create significant change in the community (reforming hospitals and/or services)*Shared issues and/or constituencies (economic justice)

*Advantages of Coalition

*Networking & shared info/ resources

* Shared mission and/or cause * Power in numbers*Access to media* Support of like-minded others*Opportunity to learn new skills

*Disadvantages of Coalition

*Takes time to work together*Requires compromise*Allocation of scarce resources to coalition may create challenges*Loss of individual/organizational identity as part of coalition

*Getting Started

*Share leadership and power—build an inclusive horizontal organizational structure*Open honest communication—always tell the truth and no secrets*Inclusive and participatory—everyone has a role, everyone is a leader*Reach out—be welcoming and inviting

*Getting Started

*Share the vision—keep the focus on the mission and vision of the coalition*Set concrete, achievable goals—and build on success*Be creative—with internal and external resources, messaging and action

*Getting Started

*Be realistic, and keep promises—do what you say you are going to do and ask for help when needed*Acknowledge diversity—be open to others’ ideas and beliefs*Give credit where credit is due—share the recognition*Celebrate Successes

*Leadership Styles: The Key

*Traditional Types of Leadership: What works?

*Autocratic leadership: Everyone must obey the leader*Bureaucratic leadership: Go through proper channels*Charismatic leadership: Worship the leader*Democratic leadership: Everyone votes*Task-oriented leadership: Nose to the grindstone*Transactional leadership: Keep talking

*Shared Leadership

*“Broadly sharing power and influence among a set of individuals rather than centralizing it in the hands of a single individual who acts in the clear role of a dominant superior.”

*Katz, D., & Kahn, R. L. (1978). The Social Psychology of Organizations

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Participation *All members have the right and responsibility to participate in the building and sustaining of the coalition*Coalition building means members are informed, contribute to discussions, and are equal partners for the good of the coalition

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Equality *Members are treated equally and without discrimination *Members are given equal opportunities to contribute to, learn from, and represent the coalition*Members share leadership and power, minimizing opportunities for abuse of power

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Openness *The coalition ensures the rights of (and respect for) minority opinions*All participants are encouraged to express their opinions and ways to advance the coalition’s agenda*Decisions are openly communicated with a process for dispute resolution

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Rights *The coalition establishes agreed-upon rights and freedoms of its members that can be guaranteed*The coalition protects the rights of members*Processes and principles are fairly and consistently implemented

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Accountability

*A strong coalition is accountable to its members for its actions, including how decisions are made and carried out*The coalition share its actions with members and seeks input before taking action

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Create a Common Vision* Processes are in place to ensure members contribute to and support a shared vision and mission of the coalition*Common purpose and planned actions to achieve desired goals are agreed upon by members

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Expectations

*Expectations—of members and of the coalition—are agreed upon and clearly communicated *Everyone understands what is expected of them and what they can expect of others

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Communication Plan

*Communication strategies articulate the vision, purpose, and agenda of the coalition (brochures, media, press releases, buttons, flyers, etc.)*There is a plan for effective and open communication amongst members

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*New Members

*The coalition recognizes that new members bring fresh ideas and energy to the coalition mix*The coalition works to reach out to new members and welcomes their immediate participation

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Improvement* The coalition welcomes critical feedback as an opportunity to improve

*There are frequent formal opportunities for members to identify areas of concern and a process for ensuring improvement

*Cornerstones of a Coalition with Shared

Leadership

*Celebrating Success*Members are routinely acknowledged for their participation and leadership within the coalition*Success is shared equally amongst the members of the coalition *There are formal opportunities for the membership to celebrate accomplishments

*Ralph Nader

*The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.