Is Your Coalition on the Right Track?
The CES Coalition Framework
Level 3
As many of you know, feeding people is my love language.
When COVID was raging, I found solace in the kitchen.
I started by learning how to make no-knead bread. Then one day, I took the plunge into the world of sourdough breadmaking.
My first attempt at the starter looked like something from an old movie, specifically, The Blob. If you have no idea what I am talking about, you are wayyyy younger than me.
The Blob
For three weeks, no matter what I did, the yeast colony would not grow. Frustrated, I started all over. I wanted to quit, but my sister encouraged me to keep going. Look at your starter, not the instructions she advised. Does it look like it’s growing? Do you see bubbles? Is it rising and falling? Is it developing a nice sour odor (in a good way).
Finally, a few weeks later, I had a healthy starter.
I had to learn how to assess the health of my starter.
“Assess” is the third level of my Coalition Framework.
Are you wondering if your coalition is on the right track?
To really make a difference in your community, you need to assess the context of the problem or problems you are trying to solve. This includes making sure you engage community members and understand the community’s needs and the potential barriers to your strategic approach. You do have a strategy, right?
If you are thinking to yourself, hmmmm, not so much, my Coalition Assessment Tool can help. Let me know if you try it.
Before I let you go, last week I was in Asheville for a Technology of Participation (ToP) Strategic Planning Training. I am really excited about the skills I have learned from ToP in 2022. If your organization needs help having a facilitated conversation about something important, needs help designing an action plan, or needs a new strategic plan, I am booking dates in 2023. I am here to help. Hit that Let’s Talk Button.
