Form a coalition

You will need one—one size does not fit all

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?

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

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

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/

Associate

Partner

Analyze the situation

• Constraints• Opportunities• Audiences

• Informal conversations and networking – Increases understanding of the situation

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

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

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

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

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

Maintenance

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

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

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?

“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.”

What does the Sierra Club Bring to the table?

Pros Cons