So our grassroots advocates survey showed that the #1 and #2 difference between a "good" and a "bad" coalition was their readiness to handle conflict and their plan for doing so. What do good coalitions do to handle conflict? What works in your world?
I have been thinking about this for some time. I have been participating in a domestic violence Coalition where conflict is always happening. Much of it does not seem good in fact it very much mirrors the very DV we progress to advocate against. The bullying and power and control issues are very present especially when it comes to decisions about resources. Something being tried is the revision of our by laws using templates from some other local Coalition's. I think that if we use these as healthy boundaries, it will disperse the power issues and make it safe for new members to participate. Right now the meetings turn to in fighting and arguing and no one wants to be present for that
