CREATING CHANGE: BUILDING A LEGISLATIVE COALITION:Influencing State Policy

CREATING CHANGE: BUILDING A LEGISLATIVE COALITION

Contents

Introduction
What is a coalition?
Other questions about coalition
Call to Action
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
NOTES

INTRODUCTION

Greetings! INFLUENCING STATE POLICY (ISP) is pleased to provide you with its sixth video in its Policy Affects Practice Video Series. Purpose of video #6: To instruct social work students/practitioners on how to create an effective legislative coalition. The guideline highlights the key definitions, important advantages and obstacles to belonging to a coalition, and the steps and skills required to build a coalition. After your group views the video, you will be able to lead a discussion based on these important ideas and take future action steps towards building your own coalition.

See “Casey Coalition” animate this important message: “Fighting for a cause all by yourself….working for social change all by yourself….making a difference all by yourself is very challenging. Instead of fighting a battle all by yourself, use your knowledge, skills, energy, and leadership to bring people together to help build a coalition!”

WHAT IS A COALITION?

A coalition is a group of people who share common goals or mutual concerns. It can be individuals or organizations that are working to build a power base to influence social change and who share responsibility for the outcome. It can be individuals or organizations working side-by-side to accomplish a common goal.
Coalitions can be developed to advocate for a single goal over a short period of time or formally organized to influence legislation from year to year. Coalitions must be formed early, well before the legislative session begins. It is also important that members believe that by acting collectively, they will be better off. Usually, members gain strength in knowing that they are not alone, and they often are motivated by a moral concern for the plight of others and key social values like social justice and fairness.

OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT COALITION

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF BELONGING TO A COALITION?

Coalitions create clout…..Coalitions build an ongoing power base…..Coalitions maximize the number of people and organizations involved in advocating for a particular bill.…Coalitions share information, coordinate strategies, divide up the labor, and pool resources…..Coalitions use different points of view to solve problems….Coalitions allow individuals and organizations to feel safer by advocating as part of a large group…..Coalitions improve communication and avoid making contradictory statements to lawmakers and the media…..When legislators hear a coalition’s presentation, they know that the major issues have been identified, the key players have agreed upon the issues, and there is depth of support.
WHAT ARE THE CHIEF OBSTACLES IN DEVELOPING A COALITION?

Effective coalitions take commitment. Often agencies commit only a minimal amount of resources. Turf issues and hidden agendas can result in agency competition and mistrust. Conflict may develop if a coalition’s main issue is inconsistent with a member agency’s agenda. Coalitions work towards reaching consensus and this slows down decision-making. There must also be procedures in place to solve differences. If a key member of the coalition withdraws its support, this may cause a crisis of survival. Key problems: reaching consensus with a large group of people, goal clarity, the coordination of scheduling and meetings, and funding.

WHAT ARE THE KEY STEPS IN CREATING AN EFFECTIVE COALITION?

1. Imagine who can help: Recruit members who are highly committed to resolving the problem and have credibility in the community. Look for persons from diverse agencies, backgrounds, expertise, and constituents.

2. Develop structures and rules: for decision making, communicating and managing conflict. Use a steering committee including many voices.

3.  Build capacity for planning and action: through active engagement in task forces and committees. Action steps leads to empowerment and a sense of ownership and belonging to the coalition.

4. Set strategies: by assessing the level of opposition among legislators to your goals. Prepare to adjust goals to political and legislative realities.

5. Evaluate: the results of your efforts. This can reveal strengths and weaknesses that the coalition can use for future actions.

WHAT ARE THE KEY SKILLS TO LEAD A SUCCESSFUL COALITION?

1. Leadership: Use an egalitarian leadership style. Be flexible. Set short and long term goals for your coalition. Develop a calendar and meeting agendas.

2. Facilitation: Be sure everyone is heard and everyone has equal status. Clarify points raised in discussion. Maintain order. Summarize what was accomplished at the end of each meeting.

3. Communication and Internet: Create email lists and update members regularly. Create a website and keep it current. Instruct members about how to contact their elected legislators.

4. Media: Learn how to write a news release. Collect personal stories that put a human face on your issue. Members can write letters to the editor.

5. Funding and resource development: All agencies and individuals should be expected to contribute to the best of their ability. Promote contributions to the coalition through funding or in-kind contributions.

Call to Action

What should you do? Remember, like Casey Coalition, you cannot be a “soloist” at your state’s legislature. If a coalition does not exist, create one using these steps. Coalitions lead to success!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Why is it important to create coalitions in the legislative arena?
How can you identify the right people to invite to join your coalition?
What are the main obstacles to developing an effective coalition?
List some of the steps required to create a coalition.
Which skills are most important in coalition building?

NOTES

ISP urges all students to enter the annual national INFLUENCING STATE POLICY contest. It is a great way to participate in the purpose of this video. Rules are at www.statepolicy.org

If you have any questions or comments about the video, please send them to: Dr. Robert Schneider, POB 842027, VCU School of Social Work, Richmond, VA 23284. Or email: rschneid@vcu.edu. Or phone: 804.828.0452