Ohio State University Fact Sheet

Coalition Goal Setting

CDFS-4

Charles Bell
William Smith
Jeffery King

Your Road Map to Success

Before you start a trip, you may need a road map to tell you how to get to your destination. A coalition also should have a plan for how they want to meet their goals. This fact sheet will help develop your plan as a coalition, to he successful.

This fact sheet will:

• Provide a process for coalitions to develop a course of action for establishing realistic goals/objectives.
• Provide a method to accomplish realistic goals set by the coalition.

Characteristics of Goals

It is important that members of the coalition keep certain characteristics in mind as they develop goals. As each is developed, put it to the test. Does it include the following characteristics? Goals must be:

• Believable-They should describe situations or conditions that the coalition believes can he achieved. Avoid the "pie-the-sky" goals that members do not believe nor find possible to do.
• Attainable-It should he possible to do the goals in the designated time.
• Tangible-The goals should he capable of being understood or realized.
• On a Timetable-A completion date should he included in the goal statement.
• Win-Win-The goals must allow all members of the coalition to be successful.

After the goals have been established, allow the members to review them before they are written in final form. Input and acceptance is a vital ingredient to successfully accomplishing the group's goals.

Establishing Coalition Goals

By the time goal setting takes place members or organizations should have already participated in a needs assessment. From this the group:

• Develops a list of priorities (worksheet on brainstorming) .
• Shares what problems or needs are being addressed by their agency/organization (individual goals) .
• Identities group goals. Finds new problems to address and enhances present work on problems.

• Help meet members needs and interests.
• Show how individual action can lead to group goals.
• Stimulate cooperation and commitment.

It is also important for all coalition members to:

• Allow each group member to keep their identity and specialties. Draw on each other's strengths.
• Not allow hidden agendas to jeopardize the work of the coalition. Members should be honest, up-front and willing to modify their ideas for the goals of the coalition.
• Recognize everyone for their involvement. A coalition is a cooperative effort to address a problem and the same is true for the recognition.

Turning Goals Into Action

It is vital for the coalition members to write the group's goals. Goals that are in one's head are merely dreams, but written goals are a commitment.

Goals are turned into action by working from the long term to the short term. Decide what must be done and in what order. Next decide what will be done during a specific period. Design small specific bite-size programs and activities that support the short-term goals. If order is important decide a sequence for your activities. These questions will help:

• Where does the group want to be in one year? Six months?
• What "bite-size" programs or activities will move the coalition toward this position?
• What program or activity should be done at the next meeting?

Summary

The general goal of a coalition is the positive change in people and programs. By developing sound goals the coalition will have a road map that will enable you to address issues of today and tomorrow.

References

Hartford, Margaret E. Groups in Social Work, New York: Columbia University Press, 1971.

Hull, Lorie. Goalsetting: Your Road Map to Success. Cassette Recordings No. 332. National Press Publications, Inc.