Coalitions.pptx

Coalitions: A powerful political strategy Presented by: Monefah Al shammari & Rozan Sarayreh Supervised By: Dr. Waddah D’emeh Outline Birth and life cycle of coalitions Building and maintaining a coalition: The primer Pitfalls and challenges Political work of coalitions Evalua...

Coalitions: A powerful political strategy Presented by: Monefah Al shammari & Rozan Sarayreh Supervised By: Dr. Waddah D’emeh Outline Birth and life cycle of coalitions Building and maintaining a coalition: The primer Pitfalls and challenges Political work of coalitions Evaluating coalition effectiveness  Objectives By the end of this lecture, you will be able to: Understand the process of coalition formation. Identify different types of coalitions. Understand the characteristics of coalitions Discuss the common pitfalls and challenges associated with coalition-building. Identify effective strategies for building and maintaining successful coalitions. Utilize practical examples and hypothetical to illustrate the concepts and principles discussed. “When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” Ethiopian proverb Introduction Coalition: are a powerful political strategy employed by different actors, such as political parties, interest groups, or individuals, to achieve common goals or advance shared interests. Derived from Latin word "Coalitio" meaning to grow or unite together. A coalition is formed when multiple entities come together and pool their resources, influence, and expertise to increase their collective power and improve their chances of achieving success. Birth and life cycle of coalitions Coalitions are always a work in progress, and they can be very powerful. At the same time, they are complex and sometimes complicated to manage and lead. The power of coalitions lies in their ability to bring people together from diverse perspectives around clearly defined purposes to achieve common goals. Coalitions can be temporary or long-term alliances, depending on the nature of the objectives they seek to accomplish. Definition of coalitions Coalitions are created to bring about collective action at the local, state, or national level. Energy Efficiency for All (EEFA) (n.d.) defines a coalition as “any group of organizations and individuals who come together to improve policy, programs, and/or practice” in one area, such as environmental preservation Coalitions are formed in response to challenges or opportunities, and their success hinges on maintaining effectiveness until goals are achieved. While some coalitions may complete their work within a few weeks, others, like the examples mentioned, may persist for years Convened in 2007 to improve Medicaid and advocate for Medicaid expansion in Healthcare for All Virginia. The coalition consisted of over 110 state and community-based organizations. Virginians (HAV) Several turning points, such as changes in political leadership, popular support, and Coalition economic realities, contributed to the eventual passage of Medicaid expansion in 2018 Coalition for Formed in 1983 by disability advocates with the aim of developing a common Mentally Disabled legislative agenda and advocating for increased state funding for services. The Citizens of Virginia coalition disbanded in 2013 after years of collective advocacy. (MH Coalition) Why form coalitions ? Why form coalitions? The answer lies in “strength in numbers.” By forming coalitions, individuals and organizations can achieve more collectively than they could individually. Why form coalitions? Resource and creativity pooling: Coalitions empower organizations to combine their resources and creativity, leading to more strategic and effective action. Why form coalitions? Increased diversity: Coalitions bring together diverse voices and perspectives, promoting inclusivity and enriching the collective knowledge and solutions. Coalitions also enhance communication and collaboration among members, fostering coordination and synergy.  Types coalitions 1.Electoral alliances: Combine party resources for better electoral outcomes, including common candidates and avoiding competition in specific districts. Goal is to win elections, secure majority, and form government. Planning for governance is crucial to prevent internal conflicts and collapse.  Types coalitions 2.Coalition governments: Formed when no party wins a clear majority in parliament. Largest party allies with like-minded parties to establish cabinet and legislative majority. Policies are supported by coalition members. Minority coalitions lack majority and must negotiate support. In presidential systems, coalition-building may be needed for legislative agreement.  Types coalitions 3.Grand coalitions: Main political parties, typically competitors, unite in a coalition government. Formation can be challenging due to traditional rivalry. Occur during national crises or to limit fringe party influence. Examples include Germany, Austria, Israel, and Italy, where natural opponents formed grand coalitions.  Types coalitions 4. Governments of National Unity: form during national political crises and oversee constitutional development and fundamental reforms. Seat allocation and responsibilities are negotiated without a democratic election or agreement on the vote outcome. Examples include Kenya and Zimbabwe in response to election disputes. Even with clear election results, national unity governments may be formed to achieve consensus on reforms.  Types coalitions 5. Legislative coalitions: Agreements to pursue specific legislative goals without dividing cabinet/executive responsibilities. Common among opposition parties. Example: Kenya's Coalition for Reforms and Democracy transformed into a post-election legislative coalition to serve as opposition. Morocco's Koutla was an effective opposition coalition in the 1990s, advocating for reforms. In presidential systems, an executive without a parliamentary majority may negotiate a coalition around a legislative agenda without dividing cabinet roles. Why start a coalition? Power in numbers: Forming a coalition allows to increase their collective influence and impact. Shared goals and resources: Coalitions bring together like-minded stakeholders who share common objectives, enabling them to pool their resources, expertise, and networks. Collaboration and networking: Coalitions provide opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual support among members. Enhanced advocacy and influence. Resource mobilization: Being part of a coalition can attract funding, grants, and other forms of support for collective efforts. Increased visibility and credibility Strength in unity and widespread support Who should be part of a coalition? Stakeholders Community opinion leaders Policy makers. Characteristics of Coalition Amanda Tattersall, author of Power in Coalition. All coalitions, whether short-term or long-term, have three characteristics: Two or more organizations come together (organizational relationships) To do something in common (common concern) To make an impact on these concerns (scale) Building and maintaining a coalition: The primer Essential ingredients Meetings Coalition structure Promoting the coalition Decision-making Funding  Essential ingredients Building and maintaining effective coalitions requires five essential ingredients: purpose, leadership, membership, resources, and serendipity The success of coalitions depends on effectively combining these ingredients. For example, the HAV coalition had well-resourced campaigns and benefited from political events, while the MH coalition grew its membership and achieved initial success through various events.  Purpose Coalitions are formed to serve a purpose to achieve one or more goals by bringing together individuals and organizations with their own interests and perspectives. Organizations and individuals are invited to join a coalition because they have a direct interest in the overall situation or problem that needs to be addressed. For example, the MH coalition formed for the purpose of increasing funding for services to individuals with mental disabilities Leadership Leadership in a coalition is crucial for success. Effective coalition leadership involves building relationships, listening, promoting inclusion, and connecting diverse ideas and allies. There are two types of leaders: inspirational and organizational. Inspiring leaders ethically influence others towards a goal, motivating participation, encouraging new ideas, problem-solving, and risk-taking. They navigate effectively, knowing when to move forward, pause, or retreat. Organizational leaders ensure members stay on track, facilitate communication, and follow through on coalition assignments. While inspiration and organization can exist in one person, often two leaders are required to effectively serve the coalition (Coalitions Work, 2007).  Membership Coalition members are the third essential ingredient. They contribute to the productivity and visibility of the coalition by representing diverse groups and networks. Members are required to commit to the coalition's purpose and goals, attend meetings, and communicate outcomes to their respective constituencies. The EEFA (n.d.) outlines five membership criteria: alignment with coalition goals, contribution to diversity of ideas and solutions, complementary expertise in areas like law, technology, community engagement, and advocacy, relationships/influence outside the coalition, and capacity to contribute funding and resources.  Resources The fourth essential ingredient for coalitions is resources, including financial contributions and in-kind donations. These resources provide the necessary tools for leaders and members to accomplish the coalition's goals, such as developing marketing materials, purchasing supplies, organizing educational sessions, and maintaining websites. It is important for coalitions to have clear guidelines for seeking funding from external sources, ensuring transparency in the sources of funds and their utilization. Serendipity Serendipity refers to unexpected circumstances leading to valuable outcomes. Leaders and members must stay informed, connect with different people, and think creatively to seize serendipitous opportunities. Environmental scanning and creative thinking play a key role  Some coalitions have formal structures with committees, task forces, and Coalition structure communication mechanisms, while others have more flexible structures with shared leadership and ad hoc groups. Refers to how the coalition A well-designed coalition structure should consider governance, especially if is organized and operates. the coalition size exceeds 15 people. A governance committee, including It includes procedures for committee and workgroup chairs, can facilitate effective communication accepting members, among members. It's important to have diverse representation within the choosing leadership, committee. Engaging appropriate support systems is crucial in achieving coalition making decisions, and goals. Tasks need to be assigned to individuals who have the means to resolving differences. complete them. Volunteers often play a significant role, but paid staff can The structure should serve be more effective in complex and multifaceted work. The HAV coalition, the members and be for example, had a steering committee and volunteers handling various adaptable to the coalition's responsibilities to move the coalition forward. purpose, resources, and member dynamics.  The structure of a coalition should be designed to support its purpose and facilitate effective collaboration among members.  Decision-making Ideally, decisions are made through consensus, where members Decision-making is a source agree or disagree without resorting to voting. Controversial of great concern, usually at decisions require open discussions and revisiting the situation the beginning of a coalition’s until a decision is reached that all members are comfortable with. life. Because members represent different groups and Leadership skills and finesse are essential in guiding the coalition perspectives, they will often towards consensus. not trust one another, thus In coalition work, disagreements are common. Leaders should leading to conflict. Everyone adjust expectations, redistribute tasks, and create a safe space for wants to protect his or her private discussions. Unity and a single message are crucial for own interests effective advocacy, and internal divisions should not become public.  They can be face-to-face, through calls, or web-based. Initially, Meetings face-to-face meetings are preferred for building relationships. As coalitions mature, other communication methods may replace in- Meetings are essential person meetings. for coalitions to Regular and organized meetings keep members engaged. The accomplish their work. timing and interval between meetings are important. Meetings should focus on problem-solving and decision-making to show progress. Content should be assessed to make necessary adjustments. The HAV and MH coalitions developed productive meeting schedules. HAV had regular updates and meetings during legislative sessions, while MH held monthly meetings leading up to the legislative session.  Promoting the Coalitions are formed to advance a common agenda, and Coalition communication is the vehicle with which that agenda is advanced. What good is a From the beginning, coalition members must develop and coalition if no one implement a communications plan aimed at getting the knows it exists? coalition’s message out to the broader community of interest. The plan should include branding (i.e., logo and tag line), ways to reach intended audiences (i.e., website and social marketing venues, such as Facebook and Twitter), and assigning individuals to keep the communication up to date and vibrant (Spitfire Strategies, 2014)  Financial Needs: Coalitions require funds to sustain Funding their work and achieve their goals. Factors: The amount of money needed depends on the Coalition work takes coalition's mission, strategic plan, and resource money. requirements. Fundraising Plan: Coalition members should develop a fundraising plan that involves tailoring the message to potential funding sources, assigning individuals to make contacts, effectively communicating the coalition's mission and goals, and actively seeking funding opportunities. Coalitions have advantages as well as disadvantages and political parties need to take steps to maximize the potential benefits and mitigate the risks involved.  Advantages/Opportunities Increased influence and achievement of goals that couldn't be accomplished individually. Finding common ground and compromise with partners. Broadening appeal and increasing vote share. Managing cleavages and promoting broader participation in government. Sharing resources to mitigate weaknesses and benefit from partner strengths. Learning from each other and strengthening individual organizations. Associating with coalition successes to increase support. Providing a basis for consensus or compromise on important issues. Disadvantages/Risks Compromising on priorities and principles, and ceding control. Difficulty in maintaining a distinct profile and weaker emergence for junior coalition partners. Perception of abandoning principles for power. Association with controversial or unpopular coalition policies. Complex and slower decision-making due to the need for consultation and agreement. Poor communication within parties leading to tensions/divisions. Marginalizing democratic opposition groups in grand coalitions.  Step-by-Step Guide to Coalition- Building A Five-Step Process Step 1: Developing a Party Strategy: Parties should invest effort in developing a strategic plan that identifies potential partners, negotiates favorable terms, and avoids common pitfalls in coalition-building. Step 2: Negotiating a Coalition: Parties come together to negotiate and reach agreement on the terms of the coalition. This process may be secretive or partially public, and contentious issues require different approaches to reach compromise. Step 3: Getting Started: The agreement between parties needs to be formally sealed, including finalizing a written agreement, securing approval from the coalition's member parties, and announcing the coalition details to the public.  Step-by-Step Guide to Coalition- Building A Five-Step Process Step 4: Working in a Coalition: Once the coalition is formed, maintaining good relations, trust, and communication among the member parties is essential. Parties must balance their obligations to the coalition with maintaining their individual identities. Step 5: Drawing Lessons Learned: Parties should review and document lessons learned from the coalition-building experience, regardless of future plans. This assessment helps understand the impact of coalition-building on the party and informs future efforts The Power of a Coalition Strengthen the core program power base, enhancing your potential to gain attention and affect change. Provide talents, skills, and resources that can be shared to achieve program goals. · Propel a strategic and concerted resolution of the Coalition problem. building is an art. More than anything else, it requires individuals Allowgroups and coalition to members be willingtotoown, riseembrace, and feelings above their commit to ofthe program separateness and to goals and enroll others in their particular organizations to personally actively collaborate commit to them. in a spirit of mutual understanding, patience, and flexibility. Ensure that community heart disease and stroke prevention approaches When and materials members are share culturally sensitive for goals, responsibility, targeted audiences decisions, (because and the and leadership coalition members themselves represent the community). energetically and enthusiastically work toward a common goal, Provide a forum for open discussion and mutual support of a common goal, the coalition has withthe potential a ripple effectfor for great success. that the coalition members the organizations represent. This broadens your base of support and trust. Reduce the chance of duplicating efforts, eliminate competition for resources, and improve communication within the community. Advocate for community environment and policies that support heart health. Pitfalls and challenges in coalition work 1. Failure to engage the right people  Failure to attract committed participants: Coalitions should engage individuals genuinely interested in achieving their goals and regularly assess participation to ensure appropriate involvement.  Error of excluding certain stakeholders: It's important to consider who has been excluded from the coalition and whose expertise is needed. The potential negative impact of not including certain individuals or groups should be evaluated.  Inclusion of the "wrong" members: Sending representatives without decision-making authority hampers coalition progress. Effective communication with organizational leadership is crucial to ensure consistent participation by authorized representatives. 2. Cultural and language differences among coalition members can be challenging.  Members may have different perspectives and connotations for certain words, requiring a shared understanding. Cultural differences may also serve as barriers, particularly if some members feel dominated by others. Building relationships and embracing cultural differences can help address these challenges in coalition work. 3. Persistent distrust among coalition members  It can arise from misperceptions, disengagement, and perceived inequalities among members. Overcoming distrust requires diligent efforts to include disenfranchised members and make everyone feel valued for their contributions. Failure to address distrust can contribute to the dissolution of a coalition. 4. Control freaks and protecting turf  Individual members or competing factions may seek to control their own interests, potentially harming the overall coalition's success. Collaboration and avoiding competing factions are essential in addressing this challenge. 5. Poor handling of different perspectives  It is important to identify and address points of disagreement. If consensus cannot be reached on specific goals, they may need to be postponed or reevaluated, allowing more time for agreement. 6. Failure to take action  Coalitions may struggle with planning without implementing actions. Weak leadership and lack of alignment can contribute to this issue. Resolving these challenges may require new leadership and renewed focus on achieving alignment. 7. Imbalance  Coalition work can be exhausting, and members may feel fatigued. Planning leadership turnover and supporting new recruitment can help prevent burnout and maintain momentum within the coalition.  The Power of a Coalition Strengthen the core program power base, enhancing your potential to gain attention and affect change. Provide talents, skills, and resources that can be shared to achieve program goals. · Propel a strategic and concerted resolution of the problem. Allow coalition members to own, embrace, and commit to the program Coalitions goals andshould enroll engage others inintheir advocacy work particular to advancetotheir organizations goals, but there personally are commit to them.considerations and approaches to keep in mind Ensure that community heart disease and stroke prevention approaches and materials are culturally sensitive for targeted audiences (because the coalition members themselves represent the community). Provide a forum for open discussion and mutual support of a common goal, with a ripple effect for the organizations that the coalition members represent. This broadens your base of support and trust. Reduce the chance of duplicating efforts, eliminate competition for resources, and improve communication within the community. Advocate for community environment and policies that support heart health. Political work of coalitions Coalitions should engage in advocacy work on issues that are important to them in order to achieve their goals. However, there are both downsides and upsides to advocacy work. Reasons not to advocate:  Opposition from stakeholders who disagree with the coalition's positions.  Risk of losing financial support if the coalition takes extreme positions.  Legal restrictions on lobbying for tax-exempt organizations, which may require the coalition to be cautious in its advocacy activities. Reasons to advocate:  Successful advocacy can lead to the enactment of desired legislation or establishment of favorable policies.  Achieving advocacy goals can result in the coalition disbanding or refocusing on new objectives. Political work of coalitions To advocate effectively and gracefully, coalitions should proceed with care:  Resolve internal differences and choose advocacy approaches that do not jeopardize legal status or disenfranchise funders and members.  Develop and adhere to a common message that all coalition members can support. Eight Steps To Building An Effective Coalition STEP 1: Analyze The Program’s Objectives and determine whether to form a coalition There are three situations that may lead to considering a coalition: recognizing a community need, fulfilling organizational goals, or meeting grant mandates or conference outcomes. To determine whether to form a coalition, follow these steps: A. Clarify objectives and appropriate activities, considering the Spectrum of Prevention for combining different intervention types. B. Assess community strengths and weaknesses, including past successes or failures, similar organizations, potential supporters or barriers, and collaboration opportunities. C. Determine costs and benefits to the lead agency, considering resource availability and alignment with organizational goals STEP 2: Recruit The Right People Membership type in a coalition depends on its goals. Diverse membership is generally preferred, but specific groups may be included in certain cases. Member organizations already working on the identified issue should be considered. Individual members, including community members and leaders, can bring unique perspectives and valuable expertise. Inclusion of potential competitors and adversaries depends on their alignment with the coalition's goals. Agency directors and line staff members can represent organizations within the coalition, each bringing different strengths. Membership size should consider the desired number of organizations. STEP 3: Devise A Set Of Preliminary Objectives And Activities For The Coalition The focus is on devising a set of preliminary objectives and activities for the coalition. This involves merging the lead agency's objectives with those of other members and including all coalition members in the discussions. It is necessary for the lead agency to expand and adjust its objectives to accommodate the diverse goals of the coalition. A written mission statement can provide clarity regarding the coalition's goals but should not overly complicate matters in the early stages. STEP 4: Convene The Coalition There are three ways that coalitions are typically initiated through: a meeting, conference and workshop. To convene the coalition: Hold a meeting with potential members. Lead agency communicates the coalition's purpose. Members express their expectations and roles. Organizations introduce themselves and state interest. Lead agency presents a strong proposal for the coalition's structure. Proposal includes mission and membership, with room for modification based on member input. Ensure participating organizations understand and agree with the coalition's definition. STEP 5: Anticipate The Necessary Resources Effective coalitions require time commitment from staff, with minimal financial resources. Lead agency allocates staff time, coordinates activities for coalition success. Preparation for meetings, communication, realistic expectations, and resource discussions are important. Staff handles tasks like planning, recruitment, research, coordination, fundraising. Minimize financial concerns, explore alternative resources. Ensure coalition success, minimize financial burdens.  STEP 6: Define Elements of A Successful Coalition Structure It is important to have well-developed ideas while also being flexible to accommodate input and modifications from coalition members. Key structural elements to consider include: A. Coalition life expectancy: Determine the expected duration of the coalition, whether it is a short-term or long- term initiative. B. Meeting logistics: Decide on the location, frequency, and length of coalition meetings, ensuring they are convenient for members to attend. C. Membership parameters: Define the criteria for membership, such as the types of organizations or individuals eligible to join the coalition. D. Decision-making processes: Establish clear procedures for making decisions within the coalition, ensuring inclusivity and effective decision-making. E. Meeting agendas: Plan and prepare agendas for coalition meetings to ensure that relevant topics are discussed and progress is made towards the coalition's objectives. F. Participation between meetings: Encourage and facilitate communication and collaboration among coalition members outside of formal meetings to maintain momentum and foster ongoing engagement.  STEP 7: Maintain Coalition Vitality Maintaining coalition vitality is essential for success. Leaders need a broad vision, attention to detail, and proactive problem- solving skills. Addressing difficulties, sharing power, involving new members, promoting renewal, and celebrating successes are key. These activities ensure ongoing enthusiasm and engagement, increasing the coalition's long-term chances of success. STEP 8: Make Improvements Through Evaluation Evaluation is a crucial step in improving coalition effectiveness. It provides valuable feedback on objectives, activities, processes, and unanticipated events. Formative evaluations assess the coalition's process objectives, while summative evaluations determine if desired outcomes and impacts were achieved. Evaluations help improve outreach, coordination, and reputation. Evaluating coalition efforts goes beyond injury prevention and requires thoughtful interpretation. Overall, evaluations enhance coalition performance and maximize impact. Exemplar Coalitions and Websites 1. The Nursing Community Coalition https://www.thenursingcommunity.org/ 2. National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA) https://www.myncemna.org/ 3. Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action https://campaignforaction.org/  Article summary This paper emphasizes the integration of life-course research and community intervention studies to develop a national plan for preventing and reducing mental and behavioral disorders in children and youth. It argues that treatment interventions have limited evidence of effectiveness, but universal and selective preventative interventions can be feasible and cost-effective. The paper introduces the "Communities That Care" model as a suitable approach for community coalitions to prevent mental and behavioral disorders on a large scale. The model consists of five phases: forming a community coalition, conducting a needs assessment, strategically planning implementation, and evaluation. Evaluations conducted in Australia support the effectiveness of the Communities That Care model, showing improvements in substance use, behavior problems, and risk and protective factors as reported by youth. The model's implementation is also linked to annual reductions in child and adolescent injury hospitalization rates, as well as decreased reports of youth crime and violence. Despite the model's promising results, it is currently underutilized for preventing mental and behavioral disorders. The authors advocate for increased funding to support national implementation and evaluation of community coalition models in order to address the growing crisis of these disorders among children and adolescents. They also emphasize the importance of evaluating alternative models against the current best- practice represented by the Communities That Care model. Title- Better together: Coalitions committed to advancing health equity Abstract Five coalitions provided insight into their accomplishments, lessons learned, and role in advancing health equity. Research and policy implications for coalitions are discussed. Nurses play a critical role in every highlighted coalition and in the national effort to make health and health care more equitable. Conclusion Building influential coalitions that improve health equity requires the use of innovative strategies at local, state, and national levels. to create solutions for the health inequities that exist in our society. Nurses have opportunities to lead initiatives and collaborate with other organizations as we address the needs of communities, partner with coalitions for health equity  CONCLUSION o Coalitions are a strong way to achieve shared goals and influence policies. They bring together different people and groups with their skills and resources to work together and make a bigger impact. Challenges like lack of trust and different opinions can arise, but good communication and finding common ground can help solve them. Although advocacy work can be risky, coalitions are important for shaping policies and making positive changes in society through teamwork. Questions?  References 1. Mason D., Gardner D.,Outlaw F.,Grady E. (2020). Policy and politics in nursing and health care.8th ed. Elsevier/Saunders. 2. Brown, C. R. 1984.The Art of Coalition Building: A Guide for Community Leaders. American Jewish Community. 3. Cohen L, Baer N, Satterwhite P. Developing effective coalitions: an eight step guide. In: Wurzbach ME, ed. Community Health Education & Promotion: A Guide to Program Design and Evaluation. 2nd ed. Gaithersburg, md: Aspen Publishers Inc; 2002:144-161. 4. Energy Efficiency for All. (n.d.). EEFA coalition cookbook. Retrieved from http://networkecology.org/eefa/. 5. National Council on Disability. (2001). Action strategies for effective coalitions. 6. https://commonslibrary.org/by/amanda-tattersall/ Thank you