Making Choices and Decisions
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In the pursuit of community development and change, coalitions play a crucial role. Over the years, various resources have been published to help these groups make informed and effective decisions. Here's a roundup of some valuable resources that can assist in coalition building and decision-making.
1992 saw the publication of "Building Coalitions: Coalition Formation and Maintenance" by the Ohio Center for Action on Coalition Development. This book offers insights into the formation and maintenance of successful coalitions.
The Asset-Based Community Development Institute provides downloadable resources on community assessment and community mobilization. These resources are invaluable for coalitions looking to understand their community's strengths and develop strategies for change.
The elearn.sophe.org website hosts resources for coalition building and coalition evaluation. This platform offers a wealth of knowledge for coalition members seeking to improve their decision-making processes and evaluate their progress.
The University of Kansas offers toolkits on partnership building and community change through the Community Tool Box. Their resources cover various aspects of coalition work, including community assessment, vision development, action planning, and evaluation.
Iowa State University, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development published a resource titled "Vision to Action: Take Charge Too". This guide offers practical advice for coalitions looking to turn their vision into actionable steps.
In 2011, J. Raynor wrote a resource titled "What Makes an Effective Coalition? Evidence-Based Indicators of Success". This resource provides evidence-based indicators of successful coalition decision-making, including clear structures, shared goals, and transparent communication.
Effective group decision-making in coalitions can be achieved through two common methods: consensus and majority rule. Consensus seeks unanimous or near-unanimous agreement, promoting inclusiveness and group cohesion but often requiring more time and effort. Majority rule, on the other hand, requires more than half the members to agree, enabling quicker decisions but risking frustration or alienation among the minority.
To improve coalition decision-making, best practices include developing a clear and shared vision, establishing effective communication channels, and setting a clear decision-making process upfront. Techniques to lessen frustration in majority rule include encouraging open discussion, using supermajority thresholds or consent-based decision-making, facilitating "dissent and dissent handling" procedures, and investing in building trust and shared understanding.
In addition to these resources, the University of Oregon, Holden Leadership Center published a resource titled "Group Decision Making" in 2009. Coalitions Work provides resources for various coalition processes and coalition evaluation. The University of Wisconsin-Extension offers Logic Model templates and examples for program development and evaluation, which can be beneficial for coalitions planning their strategies and evaluating their progress.
In sum, effective coalition decision-making balances inclusiveness and efficiency by combining clear shared goals, structured communication, and decision rules—whether consensus or majority rule—while actively managing minority frustrations through recognition, negotiation, and trust-building. These resources offer valuable insights for coalitions looking to make informed decisions and drive positive change in their communities.
- In rural development initiatives, the 'University of Kansas' Community Tool Box offers valuable resources on partnership building and community change, providing guidance on various aspects of coalition work such as finance, leadership, and business.
- For businesses focused on community development in rural areas, 'Iowa State University, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development' published a resource titled "Vision to Action: Take Charge Too", offering practical advice on turning a vision into actionable steps, including strategies for finance, leadership, and sustainable business practices.
