Coalition Learning Lab
Thursday, February 2nd, 9:00 – 2:30
TD Convention Center, Greenville, South Carolina
Like many communities in our state and nation, Greenville, SC is interested in increasing
opportunities for healthy eating and active living (HEAL). LiveWell Greenville, a diverse coalition of
more than 100 partners, has shown promise for strong policy, systems, and environmental change.
LiveWell Greenville invites other communities interested in HEAL and coalition work to join a learning lab in
which we can share ideas and ask questions of each other about the important and sometimes
challenging work of coalition building. We’ll discuss leadership, staffing, funding, branding,
partnership, and other topics that are on your mind.
9 a.m. – Community Celebration. LiveWell Greenville celebrates its first anniversary as a branded coalition with a community event to mark success and make major announcements for the coming year. However, the coalition has been at work since 2008. During our afternoon session, we’ll discuss the contrast of this public image with the nitty-gritty behind the scenes work of coalition building.
10 a.m. – Workgroup Planning Session. The general community will adjourn, and the dozens of team members who participate in LiveWell Greenville’s seven workgroups will meet to evaluate their action plans and decide on priorities for the coming year. We invite you to sit in on a group to stimulate your thinking about your own community: What are you already doing well? Are there areas for expansion or new partnerships? Refeshments will be served.
Noon – Lunch and Introductions. LiveWell Greenville coalition members will adjourn, and those of us participating in the learning lab will meet each other and review our learning goals for the afternoon.
12:30 – 2:30 – Discussion and Sharing. Each community’s coalition is unique, but most coalitions must address certain issues central to organizational and group work. Using LiveWell Greenville as a starting point and providing a forum for extensive sharing and brainstorming, we’ll consider:
Leadership and Staffing – Who steers the work of the coalition – volunteers, staff, or a combination? Who is ultimately responsible for fulfilling the coalition’s goals?
Organizational Model – Where does the coalition “live?” Is it a free-standing 501(c)3, a program of an existing organization, or something else?
Partnership and Ownership – What does it mean to be a partner? Are there rights and responsibilities for partners? Who determines who the partners are? Who claims success and failure for broad community-wide activities or outcomes?
Funding – What are the coalition’s funding sources? Is there a difference in funding needs for the coalition as a whole versus the objectives on its plan?
Branding and Communication – Is it important for the coalition to have a public identity? How do you distinguish between the coalition’s brand and that of its partners?
Connection with regional, state, national efforts – How does the coalition link in with other promising HEAL plans and collaboratives?
Registration is $20 to cover lunch, refreshments, and printing of materials. Interested in attending? Contact Eleanor Dunlap with LiveWell Greenville for more information at (864) 420-4929 or edunlap@livewellgreenville.org. We will be glad to assist with hotel arrangements as necessary.
Click here to register on Eventbright