1. Heath Ribordy Agency Relations Manager
County Coalitions
Heath Ribordy Agency Relations Manager

2. What will we learn today?
Coalition Building 101
History and Formation of the MCHC
Successes and Challenges of MCHC
Current Direction of MCHC
Steps to begin a hunger coalition in your community

3. Coalition Building 101 What is a coalition?
A diverse group of individuals and organizations who work together to reach a common goal
That goal often includes one of the following:
Adapting, creating, or developing public policy
Influencing people's behavior
Building a healthy community

4. Why Start a Coalition?
For effective and efficient delivery of programs
To pool resources
To increase communication among groups
To plan and launch community-wide initiatives
To develop and use political clout
To create long-term, permanent social change

5. Barriers to Starting a Coalition
Turf issues
Bad history
Domination by "professionals" or some other elite
Poor links to the community
Minimal organizational capacity
Funding
Failure to provide and create leadership within the coalition
The costs of working together outweigh the benefits for many coalition members

6. Buddy Edwards, President of MCHC, Executive Director of Caritas of Waco
Bob Gager, Executive Director of Shepherd’s Heart of Waco

7. McLennan County Hunger Coalition
Mission Statement: United to End Hunger in McLennan County
Hold monthly meetings for members and public
35 current paid member organizations
Members pay annual dues ($15-$50)
No paid staff
Diverse group of members: food pantries, soup kitchens, healthcare agencies, senior programs, child programs, organizations that address hunger

8. History & Formation Formed in 2003 Caritas of Waco founding member
Recruitment by word of mouth
Targeted people or organizations involved in hunger issues
Growth was slow over time
Mission statement has evolved over time
Board focused on vision, priorities, and goals
Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary

9. Successes Bi-monthly pantry meetings Food rescue Food drives
Lunch for Friends
Pooled financial assistance
Data committee working on measuring success

10. Challenges Measuring effectiveness Engagement of members
Time to address issues

11. Current Direction of MCHC
Member survey decided 3 areas of focus this year
Advocacy
Data
Implement plan of Food Planning task force

12. Current Direction of MCHC
New initiatives
Prosper Waco collective impact group
Serve on steering committees

13. Steps to Begin a Hunger Coalition
Define a geographical area
Put together a core group
Recruit members to the coalition
Connect with other CAFB partners
Asset mapping
Networking ( , phone, flyers)

14. Steps to Begin a Hunger Coalition
4. Plan and hold a meeting
Draft mission statement
Develop Action Plan
Coalition Structure
Resources/Staff needed
Leave with assignments for participants
Schedule next meeting
5. Follow up with participants
Check on assignments
Remind members about the next meeting
Continue to recruit new members

15. Coalition Success Free, open, and multi-directional communication
Inclusiveness and participation
Networking
Setting reachable goals
Holding creative meetings
Being realistic about what the coalition can do
Acknowledging and using diversity
Rewarding accomplishment and celebrating success

16. Want to learn more?
Attend MCHC meeting. MCHC meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at Caritas of Waco. Lunch begins at 11:45 a.m., with the meeting to follow from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Buddy Edwards, Executive Director of Caritas of Waco
Bob Gager, Executive Director of Shepherd’s Heart of Waco,
Coalition Tool Kit- Kara Prior, Agency Relations Capacity Specialist

17. Questions?