How can you help your peers build coalitions with stakeholders?

Coalitions are groups of individuals or organizations that work together for a common goal, such as social change, policy reform, or community development. As a community organizer, you may want to help your peers build coalitions with stakeholders, such as allies, partners, supporters, or beneficiaries, who have an interest or influence in your issue or project. Here are some tips on how you can do that.

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1 Identify potential stakeholders

The first step is to identify who are the potential stakeholders that you and your peers want to engage with. You can use a stakeholder analysis tool, such as a matrix, a map, or a chart, to categorize them based on their level of interest, power, impact, or relationship with your coalition. You can also conduct interviews, surveys, or focus groups to gather more information about their needs, expectations, challenges, and opportunities.

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Steve Chen

Meetups @ Sonar | Executive Director of Code & Coffee | 37 cities with 368 events per year
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Introduce them on ANY criteria before they need it. Make each other sound fun and the most interesting person in one or two sentences in an email. End that email with a call to action: "Mind connecting and booking a time to have a phone call with each other?" If you haven't gotten any feedback in a week, follow up 1on1 to make sure they put a voice to the name.

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2 Establish a clear vision and mission

The second step is to establish a clear vision and mission for your coalition, and communicate them effectively to your potential stakeholders. Your vision is the long-term goal or outcome that you want to achieve, and your mission is the specific purpose or objective that guides your actions. You can use a vision statement or a mission statement to summarize them in a concise and compelling way. You can also use stories, examples, or data to illustrate why your vision and mission are relevant and important for your stakeholders.

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3 Build trust and rapport

The third step is to build trust and rapport with your potential stakeholders, and invite them to join your coalition. You can do this by showing genuine interest and respect for their perspectives and experiences, listening actively and empathically to their concerns and feedback, and acknowledging and appreciating their contributions and achievements. You can also use various methods, such as meetings, events, newsletters, or social media, to keep them informed and engaged with your coalition's activities and progress.

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jim` withers

Supporting the Well Being of All at Respite Now c.i.c
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Communication communication communication communication communication communication communication communication communication communication Communication

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4 Define roles and responsibilities

The fourth step is to define roles and responsibilities for your coalition members, and clarify how they will work together with your stakeholders. You can use a coalition charter or a memorandum of understanding to document the shared vision, mission, values, and principles of your coalition, as well as the expectations, obligations, and benefits of each member and stakeholder. You can also use a work plan or a task list to assign specific tasks, deadlines, and resources for each member and stakeholder.

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5 Manage conflicts and challenges

The fifth step is to manage conflicts and challenges that may arise within or between your coalition members and stakeholders. You can do this by fostering a culture of openness, honesty, and respect among your coalition members and stakeholders, and addressing any issues or disagreements promptly and constructively. You can also use a conflict resolution or a problem-solving process to facilitate dialogue, negotiation, or mediation among the parties involved, and seek mutually acceptable and beneficial solutions.

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6 Evaluate and celebrate outcomes

The sixth step is to evaluate and celebrate the outcomes of your coalition's work with your stakeholders. You can do this by using a monitoring and evaluation system or a feedback mechanism to measure and report the results, impacts, and lessons learned of your coalition's activities and projects. You can also use a recognition or a reward scheme to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements, improvements, and innovations of your coalition members and stakeholders.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you help your peers build coalitions with stakeholders?

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4

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1 Identify potential stakeholders

2 Establish a clear vision and mission

3 Build trust and rapport

4 Define roles and responsibilities

5 Manage conflicts and challenges

6 Evaluate and celebrate outcomes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

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How can you help your peers build coalitions with stakeholders?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify potential stakeholders

2 Establish a clear vision and mission

3 Build trust and rapport

4 Define roles and responsibilities

5 Manage conflicts and challenges

6 Evaluate and celebrate outcomes

7 Here’s what else to consider

Community Organizing

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