ignite! getting your community coalition "fired up" for change
DESCRIPTION
Ignite! Getting Your Community Coalition “Fired Up” for Change is a presentation based on Butterfoss' concise, user-friendly book of the same name. It was created precisely for community practitioners, leaders and activists who want to build and sustain innovative organizations and coalitions to improve the health and well-being of their communities. The elements that make strong coalitions are essential for building any solid organization, scout troop, club, or neighborhood association. That’s why Ignite appeals to volunteers and professionals who are ready to build and sustain innovative organizations and community coalitions that change policies, systems, and environments. In Ignite! building and sustaining a coalition is compared to planning, building, fueling, and sustaining a campfire. The book’s four parts—Before You Build It, Build It, Make It Work, and Sustain It—are filled with useful tools that will spark ideas and resources to “fire up” any community for healthy, lasting change.TRANSCRIPT
Getting your Community Coalition“Fired Up” for Change
Frances D. Butterfoss, PhDYorktown, Virginia
To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment than almost anything else
in the world. Charles Dudley
Warner
Part/Stage Campfire Coalition/Partnership
Before You Build It
Make sure conditions are right (wind, humidity)
Decide on kind & purpose of fire, i.e. for warmth or recreation, size
Conduct environmental scan or assessment (community readiness)
Decide on kind & purpose of collaboration (formal/informal, size, networking or action)
Build It Gather the right kindling & wood Build good base/infrastructure Decide who will keep fire going
Gather the right people Build structure for success (mission, roles,
rules, work groups, by-laws) Choose/develop leadership
Make It
Work
Start fire (spark, match, lighter fluid?) Find source of ready fuel supply
Engage people in assessment and creating a plan of action
Motivate/encourage to commit, participate and share resources
Initiate strategies
Sustain It Build good base of coals Feed fire when needed Prepare for ebbing flames Rebuild fire or prepare to douse
when finished
Identify financial/in-kind support to maintain strategies long enough to achieve outcomes
Sustain energy/interest in work Spin off strategies & change structure or
processes if needed Expand or end collaboration when goals are
reached
Before You Build It
Before You Build a Campfire1. Decide whether to build it or not – make sure
conditions are right 2. Choose your fire site3. Consider purpose of fire
Before You Build a Coalition
Consider purpose of collaboration (formal or informal, size, for networking or action)
Before You Build a Coalition
SWOT Analysis
Helpful to achieving goals
Harmful to achieving goals
Internal
coalitio
n traits
Strengths
Weaknesses
Externalenvironmental
traits
Opportunities
Threats
Conduct environmental scan or assessment (community readiness)
Is a Coalition Right for You?
Does the issue affect a broad range of people?
Does the issue require expertise from various community sectors?
Do other organizations see this issue as a priority?
Are other organizations willing to work together on this issue?
Are potential members willing to commit to joint decision-making?
Do goals of potential members align with the coalition’s goals?
Can resources be shared or obtained to assist with the work?
Build It
Build a Campfire
• Gather right kindling & wood• Build good base/infrastructure• Decide who will keep fire going
1=Tinder As big as needle or string. Dry, shredded material (cedar bark, grass, pine needles, pitch, milkweed fluff or wood shavings. 2=Kindling As big as a match or pencil. Wood splinters or small twigs can be snapped by hand. 3=Fuel wood Wood pieces as big as your arm.Different kinds of wood burn differently.
Types of Fires
A-Frame
Teepee
Log Cabin
Council Fire
Build a Coalition
Gather & train the right people & organizations
Build a Coalition
Build effective structures for success (mission, roles, rules, work groups, by-laws)
Build a Coalition
Choose/develop transformational leadership
Transformational Leaders
1. Let go of things others can do2. Encourage ideas & risk-taking3. Ensure that people have goals & know how
they’re doing4. Delegate to challenge, develop & empower 5. Coach to ensure success 6. Reinforce good work & attempts 7. Share information, knowledge & skills8. Value, trust & respect each individual9. Provide support without taking over10. Practice what they preach
Make It Work
Make Your Campfire Work
• Start the fire (spark, match, lighter fluid?)• Find a source of ready fuel supply
Engage people in assessment & creating an action plan
Make Your Coalition Work
Encourage organizations
to commit, participate
& share resources
Make Your Coalition Work
Initiate strategies that change policies, systems and environments
Make Your Coalition Work
Make Your Coalition Work
Strategies should . . .
Use resources efficiently
Focus on underlying causes & prevention
Complement existing programs & build shared purpose
Be comprehensive, flexible & responsive
Be sustained long enough to accomplish objectives
Sustain It
Sustain Your Campfire
• Build good base of coals• Feed fire when needed• Prepare for ebbing flames • Rebuild fire or prepare to • douse when finished
Identify financial & in-kind support to maintain strategies long enough to achieve outcomes
Sustain Your Coalition
Sustain energy & interest in work
Sustain Your Coalition
Spin off strategies & change structure or processes if needed
Sustain Your Coalition
Expand or end collaboration when goals are reached
Sustain Your Coalition
SUMMARY
Before You Build It Conduct environmental scan or assessment
Decide on kind & purpose of collaboration
Build It
Gather the right people Build structure for success Choose/develop leadership
Make It Work
Engage people in assessment and creating a plan of action Motivate to commit, participate and share resources Initiate strategies
Sustain It
Seek financial/in-kind support to maintain strategies long enough to reach outcomes
Sustain energy/interest in work Spin off strategies & change structure or processes if needed Expand or end collaboration when goals are reached
Want to Learn More?
Check out my new book (Hard cover, paperback &
Ebook)
Author House:http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000653062/Ignite.aspx
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Ignite-Getting-Community-Coalition-Change/dp/1491810130/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386099617&sr=1-2&keywords=butterfoss
Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ignite-frances-dunn-butterfoss-phd/1116947327?ean=9781491810125