The people who lead, participate in and implement the activities of the coalition affect the growth and development of the group. Coalitions with strong leadership are better able to create policy, systems and environmental change in their communities (Roussos and Fawcett, 2000). This type of leadership requires a variety of skills, many of which are listed in this fact sheet. A coalition may benefit from a leadership team made up of people with different experiences and skills, given the diverse nature of skills required for success.
Every coalition has a unique structure that is determined by the goals and resources of the group. Some coalition structures are more formal than others. One coalition may have paid staff, for example, while another is dependent upon volunteer leaders. A coalition's structure does not need to be complex, but taking the time to develop a structure is important because clearly defined roles, rules and procedures are positively associated with member engagement and community capacity (Garland, 2004).
Community coaching is a change strategy that can help a coalition increase community capacity, overcome challenges to community development and increase the effectiveness of its collective efforts. Community coaches encourage coalition members to reflect on group functions and activities in light of group goals, priorities and the community change that the group desires to see. Community coaching will look different for each coalition, as every coalition has unique goals, objectives and priorities.
Community assessment is the process of identifying the strengths, assets, needs and challenges of a specified community. Assets refer to the skills, talents and abilities of individuals as well as the resources that local institutions contribute to the community. Local institutions may include political, religious, educational, recreational and youth organizations; community, civic and service groups; local businesses; nonprofit organizations and volunteer groups.
Effective meetings begin with a purpose and an agenda. The coalition facilitator is responsible for communicating the purpose to members and conducting the meeting according to plan. At the start of a meeting, the facilitator should go through the proposed agenda, briefly explain each item and its time limit, and ask for any questions.
The Meeting Agenda
A meeting agenda should include the following:
Strategic planning is the systematic process of identifying issues to focus on and activities to implement with the assets, challenges and opportunities of the coalition in mind. Strategic planning involves the development of a vision and mission, formation of goals, and establishment of objectives to accomplish the goals.
Both coalition members and coalition leaders need to have good communication skills in order for the group to function effectively. Coalition members use communication to develop understanding and respect for one another, share information, challenge each other to think differently about problems and solutions, and find the best possible solutions to the issues around which the group has formed. Coalition leaders use communication to bring individuals together around a common goal or concern and effectively facilitate meetings.
Community mobilization is the process of engaging various sectors of a community to address a health, social or environmental issue (CDC, 2011). It is a capacity-building process that enhances the ability of a community to work together toward a goal that the community has identified as important. Community mobilization brings together individuals and groups who might not typically be involved in community decision making, empowering them to take action to facilitate change in their own community.
Coalitions commonly need to decide which issues to prioritize, what activities to implement, which strategies to utilize in reaching out to the community, and the best ways to make use of limited resources. Coalitions that make effective decisions usually use a decision-making process. A group decision-making process typically involves the following steps:
The work of community change often requires significant human and financial resources. While it is possible for a coalition to do some activities with minimal funding, a coalition's ability to secure resources affects its capacity, sustainability and ability to produce change in the community. Identification of support for doing the work of community change should begin early and continue throughout the life of a coalition (Roussos and Fawcett, 2000).
