Forming a coalition is an effective strategy for tackling complex problems that require the collaboration of multiple organizations and individuals. Establishing a clear decision-making process before taking any action is essential for a coalition to function efficiently. If a single organization is unable to address a problem, the solution can be a coalition of groups and individuals working together. For instance, the murders of women in a community prompted the formation of a coalition to address not only domestic violence, but also the entire issue of violence against women and other related problems such as drug trafficking and the lack of court response capacity. You may already have a core group (a few people or organizations) ready to work on building a coalition.
It is important to understand the potential obstacles to forming a coalition in your community, so you can plan for them and increase your chances of success. The Coalition to Advance Nonprofits (CAN) is an example of a sectoral coalition formed in response to the COVID-19 crisis, coordinated by Nonprofit New York. What all of these coalitions had in common was strong leadership and a clear idea of where they were going at any given time. The GRC regularly interacts with government officials, including directors of municipal and state agencies, the New York State Attorney General's Office of Charitable Organizations, and elected officials. In general, the broader the membership of any coalition, the better. However, there are certain people and groups whose representation in a coalition is absolutely essential.
For example, a coalition against youth violence should look for adolescents (perhaps gang members) as main members of the group; a coalition for the homeless and housing should try to recruit current or former homeless people. Under these circumstances, forming a coalition of groups and individuals can be an effective strategy for changing the programs and policies (in schools, businesses, government, and other relevant sectors) that are needed to solve the problem or achieve the goal. A new study could alert the community to the fact that African-American men (a significant part of the population) are at very high risk of heart disease, and community health providers could respond to that risk by forming a coalition to provide information, testing and treatment to that population. A new request for proposals (RFP) from a state agency or other funding source may require a coalition to obtain funding for a particular service, or a coalition can be formed to create a comprehensive proposal that distributes funding as widely as possible throughout the community. After the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, many communities formed local coalitions to address issues such as intolerance toward Muslims and the psychological effects of the disaster on children and families. When forming a coalition in New York City, it is important to consider legal aspects such as obtaining permits from local authorities or registering with state agencies.
It is also important to ensure that all members are aware of their rights and responsibilities within the group. Additionally, it is essential to have clear communication channels between members so that everyone is on the same page when it comes to decision-making processes. In conclusion, forming coalitions in New York City can be an effective way to tackle complex problems that require collaboration between multiple organizations and individuals. It is important to consider legal aspects such as obtaining permits from local authorities or registering with state agencies before taking any action.
Additionally, it is essential to have strong leadership and clear communication channels between members so that everyone is on the same page when it comes to decision-making processes.
