C OALITION
STRATEGIES
By Jinx Hackler
South Central Town Hall Caregiver Coalition
CHALLENGES IN GROWING
AND
MAINTAINING COALITIONS
• Economy/Funding
Funding sources are harder to locate
• Reorganization or Closure of Agencies Involved
• Changes In Leadership
Losing key members of Coalitions
• Changes In Company Policy
Reduction in Caregiver support programs
• Less Staff More Work
Budget cuts
STRATEGIES FOR GROWING
AND
MAINTAINING COALITIONS
• Clear Concise Vision and Mission Statements
Everybody on the same page
• Review the Vision and Mission Statement Often
Remember why you are there
• Review Goals and Objectives Often
• Build A Strong Foundation
Encourage commitment and community
support (AAA, Head Start Agencies,
Veteran’s Service Offices, Retirement/Assisted
Living Organizations, State Respite Programs,
and Family Caregivers/Advocates)
• Mission of the Agency
STRATEGIES FOR GROWING
AND
MAINTAINING COALITIONS
• Strong Leadership
Members need to be vested in the Vision and Mission
• Developing Outside Resources
Locating meeting sites, refreshments, supplies, copy
expenses, etc.
• Focusing On Recruiting
At least once a year meet solely to discuss recruiting
• Host An Annual All Inclusive Coalition Event
• Network, Network, Network
Polish up your elevator speech.
“The bottom line for sustaining a
coalition, would be the same for any
community venture, that is, the
capacity to act and have an impact on
the community. Our experience is that
long lasting coalitions keep on acting
– visibly, energetically and
effectively.”
Tom Wolf of AHEC Community Partners
Sustainability of Coalitions
HOW COALTIONS RECRUIT AND ENGAGE
NEW MEMBERS?
• Appoint Committee To Locate Other Family Caregiver
Agencies
• Awareness of Those Agencies Programming for caregivers
How can we work together?
• Gather Input from Family Caregivers and Advocates
Invite them to join Coalition
• Show Members the Benefits of Belonging to Your
Coalition
Getting your name out on brochures, newsletters, and
special events.
• Year End Report to All Agencies Involved
Show agency how the collaboration benefited their agency,
their clients, and their community
• Yearly Recruitment Luncheon
Members invite agency representatives, advocates, and
family caregivers.
HOW COALITIONS NETWORK TO EXPAND
THEIR REACH?
• Get Involved In Community Projects
South Central Partnership, United
Way, Chamber of Commerce, etc.
• Collaborate with State and Local Agencies
Celebrate Caregiver Awareness Month
• Collaborate for State-Wide Caregiver
Retreats
• Learn from Others
Attend caregiver events, Health
Fairs, Local community celebrations
HOW CAN WE WORK TOGETHER FOR A
COMMON PURPOSE?
• Think Outside The Box
Encourage non-like agency involvement
local gym, police/fire department,
doctors/chiropractor offices, massage
therapists)
• Volunteer in Your Community
Encourage Coalition members
and family caregivers to volunteer at
local nonprofits
WHAT I LEARNED ON MY COALTION
ADVENTURE
• Coalitions face the same challenges nationwide
1. Finding financial support for their
Coalition
2. Finding the time to devote to Coalition
Projects
3. Recruiting new members
4. Retaining current members
• Focusing on the “Positive” Side of Caregiving
Coalitions celebrating the positives of
caregiving
• Yearly “Caregiver Conversation” Programs
Discussing the needs determines direction
of programming
TURF
IS NOT A FOUR
LETTER WORD
LET’S COLLABORATE,
NETWORK, SHARE, AND WORK
TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT
OF ALL!