Form a coalition

1. Form a coalition You will need one—one size does not fit all

2. What is a coalition? • A temporary alliance of groups working to achieve a common purpose • It is designed to build power to accomplish something that no one group can accomplish on its own • Do you need one?

3. Advantages & Disadvantages • Build power • Broaden support • Increase resources • Time, people, money, connections, etc • Increase legitimacy • Diverse perspectives • Affirmation by association • Slow moving • Decision-making can be difficult • Time intensive • Lowest common denominator politics • Only as strong as weakest link • Differing approaches to advocacy can be difficult to manage • Guilt by association

4. Principles of Coalition • Choose a unifying purpose (a mission) • Understand and respect institutional self-interest & internal processes of all Groups • Agree to Disagree (make a process for dealing with this) • Recognize contributions vary • Structure decision making carefully • Help each other achieve their self-interests • Distribute credit fairly • Play to the center with tactics

5. Types of coalitions • Endorsement • A list of supporting organizations • May not be asked to do much else • Associate (informal— e.g. Friends Groups) • Members play a small but active roll in campaign • Decision making remains with a main group, or informal team • http://www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org/ • Partner (formal) • Decision making is shared • Two types • Collective—reps meet often to shape campaign • Separate or new Group is formed to run campaign • http://www.protectwildutah.org/

6. Associate

7. Partner

8. Analyze the situation • Constraints • Opportunities • Audiences • Informal conversations and networking • Increases understanding of the situation

9. Analyze the politics • What are the political realities? • Congressional (House and senate) • Who are likely • Supporters • Opponents • Persuadable • At first glance are you in an “offensive” or a “defensive” position

10. Analyze the grassroots • What is the cultural landscape? • Perceptions of local communities • Stakeholder interests (who and what) • Who else is organized—formal? • Local Opinion leaders • Local politics— • Adjacent counties • Cities • Identify likely allies • These are potential “coalition” partners • or supporters

11. Be strategic • Don’t just form a coalition • Know why you are doing so, and what kind you are creating • May want to talk to congressional leaders • Find out what they are willing to support under what conditions • Are you ready to talk to them yet? • That depends

12. Building a coalition: Networking • Continue networking (be smart) • Lose lips sink ships • Can you trust the groups and people you are talking to? • Build relationships through informal networking • Start with club leaders and members • Start with most trusted groups (similar issues focus) • Forest Planning Process and public hearings are a great places to do some networking • Think Strategically—what does the potential partner bring to the table

13. Listen! Speak so others want to listen; listen so others want to speak • Listening is an ACTIVE PROCESS • Ask Non-Confrontational questions • Ask clarifying questions • Paraphrase what you are hearing—find out if you are hearing what you think you are

14. Maintenance • The key is relationship building • Trust develops over time—if it is earned • Open and honest communication is essential

15. Sierra Club and Coalitions • There is a rigorous “formal” process for participation in formal coalition • There is a formal process for participation in “informal” coalitions

16. How do we know what kind of Coalition to build? • What strategic concerns are there? • Public Campaign? • Not so public Campaign? • What logistical concerns are there? • Who should be invited? • Based on what?

17. “It is usually critical that you take a multiple-use approach to saving your riding area. We cannot have user disagreements and conflicts arise when it comes time for public testimony . . . Eliminate these possibilities early on by having all users working together.”

18. What does the Sierra Club Bring to the table? Pros Cons