1

DRAFT PROGRAMME ADVOCACY COURSE

DAY 2

SESSION 7Coalition buildingQuiz 4What do coalitions bring?What are the problems of coalitions?Structures of the coalition

SESSION 8Managing coalition problemsImportance of open communicationListening skillsManaging tensionsWorking with difficult membersSound bite 4

2

For most of the ill-health conditions related to alcohol, the dose response relationship has a threshold effect, with no increased risk at low levels of alcohol consumption:

a. True

b. False

3

Alcohol reduces the risk of coronary heart disease:

a. True

b. False

4

The level of alcohol consumption with the lowest risk of death is zero for all ages:

a. True

b. False

5

It is quite safe for women to drink up to 1-2 drinks (10-20g of alcohol) during pregnancy

a. True

b. False

6

Alcohol increases the risk of female breast cancer

a. True

b. False

7

For most of the ill-health conditions related to alcohol, the dose response relationship has a threshold effect, with no increased risk at low levels of alcohol consumption:

a. True

b. False

8

9

Alcohol reduces the risk of coronary heart disease:

a. True

b. False

10Grammes of alcohol per day

160140120100806040200

Rel

ativ

e ri

sk1.6

1.4

1.2

1.0

.8

.6

11

The level of alcohol consumption with the lowest risk of death is zero for all ages:

a. True

b. False

12

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

16-34 35-64 65+

Age (years)

Gra

mm

es a

lcoh

ol/d

ay Women

Men

13

It is quite safe for women to drink up to 1-2 drinks (10-20g of alcohol) during pregnancy

a. True

b. False

14

Alcohol increases the risk of female breast cancer

a. True

b. False

15

0.80.91

1.11.21.31.41.51.61.71.8

Rel

ativ

e ri

sk

0 10 20 30 40 50

Level of alcohol consumption (g/day)

Longnecker 1994

Smith-Warner 1998

English et al 1995

Corrao et al 1999

Collaborative group

16

Coalitions bring powerful benefits:

Strength in numbers. Strength in diversity. Shared workload and resources. Cohesion and solidarity. Creating a micro-model of a just,

decent society.

17

Resources That Groups Can Bring to Advocacy Coalitions

Public Credibility A Large Membership Base Access to Decision MakersStaff Time Advocacy Experience Media Contacts/ExpertiseFunding Space/Equipment/Postage VolunteersDiversity People Directly Affected Contacts With Potential Allies

18

Coalitions bring difficulties:

Differences among members could paralyze the coalition, preventing it from making progress toward its goal and discouraging members from working in future coalitions.

Working in a coalition may take time and energy away from working closely with constituents and members.

The investment of resources could outweigh the benefits received, especially if other members do not do their share of the work.

Shared decision-making power could mean members surrender control over the agenda, tactics, resource allocation, and other strategic decisions.

An organization's identity could be masked by the coalition identity, making it difficult to act autonomously.

The coalition may become too large or "bureaucratic" to function.

Rather than cooperating with each other, members may end up competing with coalition partners for resources, funding, and public recognition.

19

Alternatives to coalitions:

Continue building and maintaining new relationships, on both the individual and organizational level.

Continue sharing information through networks.

If no one else is ready to work on the issue, get started anyway and keep others informed about your work.

Collaborate with each other in less intense ways. For example, work together on a single event or short-term campaign. Or develop parallel organizations that work separately toward the same goals. This may be an effective way to bridge large differences between organizations, such as the power differential between smaller and larger organizations.

20

For each key audience - especially the decision makers - what or who influences them? Who needs to be involved to give your coalition credibility and legitimacy?

Whose expertise or information is needed to create an effective strategy?

Who has the resources needed to carry out an action plan?

21

Diversity by Issue Sector

Diversity by Civil Society Sector

Diversity by Geographic Region and Scope

Diversity by Organization Size

Diversity by Personal Background

22

Diversity by Organizational Resources:

Legitimacy and credibility

People power

Knowledge

Expertise

Relationships

Money

Facilities

23

Basic coalition structures:

Membership Participation Leaders Making decisions Coalition identity and

members' autonomy Communication Logistics

24

There are four important components of a workable coalition:

Clear coalition structures Open communication A unified platform Campaigns with measurable long-term and

short-term outcomes

25

Coalition Types

Informal Formal

Networks*Information sharing only*No organized meetings*Do not take joint positions

Ad Hoc Coalitions*Have a specific objective*Have informal leadership*May not have a name*Membership fluid

Formal Coalitions*Have name, letterhead, etc.*Have formal leadership*Eligibility rules*May have fees

Permanent Coalitions*Bylaws*Fees structure*May have staff/office*Have executive committees