Binders Full of Organizers: How to Build Coalitions Beyond the Usual Suspects

transcript

Creating Coalitions Workshop

#AAUW2013 @AAUWpolicy

What is a Coalition?

A coalition is a diverse group of organizations and individuals who agree to work together to

achieve a common goal.

Roadmap: Where We’re Going

1. Michigan: real life example

2. Power mapping: finding the unusual suspects

3. Practice!4. Effective coalitions:

quick tips

Building Coalitions: We Can’t Do it Alone

Building Coalitions: Michigan• MI Women’s Assembly (MWA)• Largest coalition of women’s organizations

• Pay Equity Network• 75 women’s, labor, educational, and civil rights

organizations• MI Women’s Commission• 700+ women’s organizations

• Equal Pay Day

Building Coalitions: Michigan• Council About Parochiaid (CAP)• PTS, ACLU, NCJW, AFT, and other similar

organization• Michigan for Public Education (MFPE)• Anti-Affirmative Action Ballot Proposal• 200+ organizations coordinated by MI Civil Rights

Initiative

Building Coalitions: Michigan

Best practices Passing legislation Equal Pay Day Awareness of issues Awareness of AAUW

Who’s in Your Coalition?

Building Coalitions: It’s a Strategy!

Who do we need? & What do we need to do to win?

Building Coalitions: Power Mapping

A powerful tool to analyze power relationships and help develop a strategy for creating change.

Power Mapping Step-by-Step

1. Determine your target2. Map influence of target3. Determine relational power lines4. Target priority relationships5. Make a plan

Power Mapping: Determine Your Target

Who is the person or institution you want to influence?

State Sen. Jane Smith

Power Mapping: Step 2

Power Mapping: Map Influence of Target

City Council

Pastor Bob

Neighbor John

Rotary Club

Mr. Smith

The Mayor

The Media

Voters

Donors

League of Women Voters

Power Mapping: Map Influence of Target

• Be creative: Even if you do not decide to target certain influencers, put them on the map • Be strategic: Look at all major donors

and constituency groups• Be thorough: Think about your

target from every different angle

Power Mapping: Determine Relational Power Lines

City Council

Pastor Bob

Neighbor John

Rotary Club

Mr. Smith

The Mayor

The Media

Voters

Donors

Power Mapping: Target Priority Relationships

City Council

Pastor Bob

Neighbor John

Rotary Club

Mr. Smith

The Mayor

The Media

Voters

Donors

AAUW Girl Scouts

Book Club

AFTLeague of Women Voters

The Mayor

Rotary Club

Pastor Bob

Make an Outreach Plan

City Council

Pastor Bob

Neighbor John

Rotary Club

Mr. Smith

The Mayor

The Media

Voters

Donors

Faith Groups

City Council

Pastor Bob

Neighbor John

Rotary Club

Mr. Smith

The Mayor

The Media

Voters

Donors

Local business leaders

Business organizations

City Council

Pastor Bob

Neighbor John

Rotary Club

Mr. Smith

The Mayor

The Media

Voters

Donors

Women’s Organizations

City Council

Pastor Bob

Neighbor John

Rotary Club

Mr. Smith

The Mayor

The Media

Voters

Donors

Physician Groups

City Council

Pastor Bob

Neighbor John

Rotary Club

Mr. Smith

The Mayor

The Media

Voters

Donors

Education Organizations

Practice: Power Mapping

Effective Coalitions

Effective CoalitionsKnow your coalition members.

• Understand each group’s self interest• Respect each group’s internal process• Set goals together• Structure decision-making carefully• Agree to disagree

Binders Full of Organizers: How to Build Coalitions Beyond the Usual Suspects

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