The Sustainability Web

FORMING COMMUNITY COALITIONS (OHCE Statewide Leaders Lesson 2008)

Instructions: 1. Rate your coalition/partnership on each of the 14 areas (described below) that influences the sustainability of the partnership. After reading a brief description for each of the areas, place an X on the number on the Sustainability Web that best reflects your opinion of how your partnership is functioning in each of the areas using the following scale:

1- Strongly Disagree 2- Disagree 3- Neither Agree or Disagree 4- Agree 5- Strongly Agree

2. Now, create a “web” – a visual illustration of your coalition’s sustainability. Start with “X” you made on the line labeled “Communication”, and draw a straight line to the “X” on the “Effective Meetings” line. Next, from that “X” draw a line to the “X” on the “Decision Making” line. Continue on around the other 11 areas. You should end up with a “web” that provides a picture of your coalition’s strengths and weaknesses. The further the web is from the center, the stronger the coalition. You may discover that your coalition is strong in some areas and needs improvement in others.

Description of Areas:

Communication – The partnership has open and clear communication. There is an established process for communication between meetings. Common language is used by all those participating in the collaboration.

Effective Meetings – Partnership meetings move toward the agreed goals. There is a consistent format for meetings. Each meeting shows progress, and members recognize this when the meeting ends.

Decision Making – Each partner has input into goals, methods and other partnership decisions and discussions. There is a consistent format for decision making.

Importance of Each Partner/Ownership – Each partner perceives him/herself as an important part of the whole, responsible in some way to its success. Each has something unique to contribute to the partnership.

Able to Come and Go/Maintaining Continuity – The community understands that there is opportunity to become part of the partnership, even if some groups are not currently partners. Also, the partnership maintains enough membership over time to develop institutional knowledge and instill a sense of responsibility for the work to be done. There are guidelines relating to terms of leadership and replacement of members. Planning – The partnership has a plan for continued focus on desired outcomes.

Research and Evaluation – The partnership has focused on its outcomes, identified impacts and goals. Additionally, data is continually collected to establish that goals have been met, and expectations are realistic.

Tangible Progress – The partnership identifies tangible accomplishments and communicates them to the community.

Catalysts/Common Goal – The partnership was started because of an existing situation or crisis. A comprehensive approach was required to effectively address the situation or crisis. Partners agree the issue is a priority, and agree on the desired change or outcome.

Resources – The partnership has access to needed resources. Resources refer to four types of capital: environment, in-kind, financial and human.

Leadership – The leadership facilitates and supports team building, and capitalizes upon diversity and individual, group and organizational strengths. Leadership is shared.

Understanding Community – The partnership understands the community, including its people, cultures, values, habits, and traditions. People in the community see their views and values reflected within the partnership.

Looking Outward – The partners focus on the needs of the community, not just their needs.

Legitimacy to Act – The partnership has the authority to take action on the identified issue. The Sustainability Web for Coalitions/Partnerships

Adapted from The Spider Web created by Lynne M. Borden and Daniel F. Perkins (6/15/97) from the National network for collaboration