Coalitions & Collaborations

1. Coalitions & Collaborations Intermediate Injury Prevention Course August 23-26, 2011 Billings, MT

2. Purpose of Collaboration Collaboration types and approaches Steps of starting an IP coalition Level 1: Objectives... Coalition pitfalls and solutions Attributes of a good facilitator Keeping coalitions motivated Coalition evaluation Level 2: Objectives...

3. Eight-Step Guide Level I: RECAP • www.preventioninstitute.org • Determine whether to form a coalition • Recruit the right people • Devise objectives and activities • Convene the coalition • Anticipate resources • Define elements of structure • Maintain vitality • Improve through evaluation

4. Eight-Step Guide • Step 7: Maintain Coalition Vitality • Address difficulties and challenges • Coalition Killers – tombstones • Good facilitators • Recruiting and involving new members • Promoting renewal • Celebrating and sharing success

5. Buzz Group Exercise • Form small groups (6-8 members) • Read and discuss coalition scenarios in small group • Reconvene • Discuss what each group learned

6. Buzz Group Exercise Questions What are some of the barriers (pitfalls) of Coalition A? What are some of the strengths of Coalition B? Which coalition appears more effective? Why? What are strengths or barriers (pitfalls) you have experienced in working with coalitions? What are some ways to work with a coalition with these strengths? Barriers (pitfalls)?

7. Common Coalition Pitfalls • Ineffective/weak leadership • No plan of action • Dominance by professionals • Failure to engage community members • Confusion about goals/objectives • Inefficient/unproductive meetings • Lack of enthusiasm and commitment • Poor communication

8. Coalition Pitfalls • Poor Communication • Turf Issues • Ground Rules • Motivation • Failure To Act

9. Communication • Underlying reasons for poor communication • Personal attributes • Cultural differences • Turf Issues • Absence of or non-enforced ground rules • Importance of a good facilitator

10. What Causes a... Conflict between organizations with common goals & interests Mistrust Competition Non-cooperation

11. Solving Turf Battles • Make fair decisions • Remind participants of the big picture • Encourage flexibility

12. Ground Rules Pay attention when someone is talking Stay on task/ agenda Don’t interrupt start & end on time respect others opinions

13. Being A Good Facilitator • Challenge people • Lead brainstorming sessions • Keep communication flowing • Be process and goal oriented • Discuss controversial issues thoroughly

14. Being A Good Facilitator 1. What do you see as some qualities of successful facilitators?

15. Being A Good Facilitator 1. What do you see as some qualities of successful facilitators? • Positive mental attitude • Strong commitment to goals • Ability to listen & reflect • Neutrality • Awareness of what is NOT being said • How to get it stated • Good communication skills

16. Being A Good Facilitator 2. When facilitating, if bad behavior by a coalition member(s) hinders your group process, what could you do?

17. Being A Good Facilitator 2. When facilitating, if bad behavior by a coalition member(s) hinders your group process, what could you do? • Make eye contact • Walk by them and make eye contact, • Ask them specifically, “What do you think?” • Use silence • Give feedback during a break

18. Facilitation Exercise You are a facilitator for a group that has a participant that speaks out consistently without being prompted. She has ignored your suggestion that she use her energy and enthusiasm to encourage the more shy participants to speak-up more often. She is not following the guidelines and the group is getting frustrated with her. What do you do?

19. Resources for Facilitator Training • 2-day IHS Course- Group Facilitation Methods – Focused conversations, consensus method, action planning. • Kaner, S. Lind, L., Toldi, C., Fisk, S., & Berger, D. (1996). Facilitator’s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making. New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada • Kaye, G. (1997). The Six “R’s” of Participation. In Minkler M. (Ed.), Community Organizing & Community Building for Health. (pp. 372 – 373). New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press.

20. Failure to Act • Long planning process without action • Long unproductive meetings • Involvement from potential contributors discouraged

21. Accomplishing Meaningful Action • Revisiting and clarifying goals • Long term and short term • Creating a coalition plan • Action plan with clear objectives and actions • timelines • Agreeing upon small, feasible actions • Advanced planning • Follow-up

22. Motivation Ideas to Keep Groups Motivated • Recruiting and involving new members • Promoting renewal • Training • New, exciting issues • Celebrating and sharing success • Reward members

23. Coalition Pitfalls • Poor Communication • Turf Issues • Ground Rules • Motivation • Failure To Act

24. Eight-Step Guide • Step 8: Improvements through Evaluation

25. Why Evaluate your Coalition? • Coalition members and community members may ask: • Is the coalition doing anything ? • How much has been accomplished ? • Is the coalition making a difference ?

26. Coalition Evaluation • Quality (training, continuity,involvement) • Comprehensiveness • Access and Equity • Cost-effectiveness

27. Coalitions and CollaborationsSummary • Pitfalls • Good facilitation • Evaluation

28. Questions?