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Binders Full of Organizers: How to Build Coalitions Beyond the Usual Suspects Creating Coalitions Workshop #AAUW2013 @AAUWpolicy
Binders Full of Organizers: How to Build Coalitions Beyond the Usual Suspects
Creating Coalitions Workshop
#AAUW2013 @AAUWpolicy
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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
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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?
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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
1. Determine your target2. Map influence of target3. Determine relational power lines4. Target priority relationships5. Make a plan
Power Mapping: Map Influence of Target
State Sen. Jane Smith
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: Step 3
1. Determine your target2. Map influence of target3. Determine relational power lines4. Target priority relationships5. Make a plan
Power Mapping: Determine Relational Power Lines
State Sen. Jane Smith
City Council
Pastor Bob
Neighbor John
Rotary Club
Mr. Smith
The Mayor
The Media
Voters
Donors
League of Women Voters
AAUW
Power Mapping: Step 4
1. Determine your target2. Map influence of target3. Determine relational power lines4. Target priority relationships5. Make a plan
Power Mapping: Target Priority Relationships
State Sen. Jane Smith
City Council
Pastor Bob
Neighbor John
Rotary Club
Mr. Smith
The Mayor
The Media
Voters
Donors
League of Women Voters
AAUW Girl Scouts
Book Club
AFTLeague of Women Voters
AFT
The Mayor
Rotary Club
Rotary Club
Pastor Bob
Power Mapping: Step 5
1. Determine your target2. Map influence of target3. Determine relational power lines4. Target priority relationships5. Make a plan
Make an Outreach Plan
State Sen. Jane Smith
City Council
Pastor Bob
Neighbor John
Rotary Club
Mr. Smith
The Mayor
The Media
Voters
Donors
League of Women Voters
AAUW
Faith Groups
Make an Outreach Plan
State Sen. Jane Smith
City Council
Pastor Bob
Neighbor John
Rotary Club
Mr. Smith
The Mayor
The Media
Voters
Donors
League of Women Voters
AAUW
Local business leaders
Business organizations
Make an Outreach Plan
State Sen. Jane Smith
City Council
Pastor Bob
Neighbor John
Rotary Club
Mr. Smith
The Mayor
The Media
Voters
Donors
League of Women Voters
AAUW
Women’s Organizations
Make an Outreach Plan
State Sen. Jane Smith
City Council
Pastor Bob
Neighbor John
Rotary Club
Mr. Smith
The Mayor
The Media
Voters
Donors
League of Women Voters
AAUW
Physician Groups
Make an Outreach Plan
State Sen. Jane Smith
City Council
Pastor Bob
Neighbor John
Rotary Club
Mr. Smith
The Mayor
The Media
Voters
Donors
League of Women Voters
AAUW
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
