DCS Service Spotlight: Coalition Building and Coalition Management

Engaging Advocates in the Social Distancing Era

For our team here at DCS, working from home doesn’t mean working less. In fact, while the hardships of social distancing are as real for us as everyone else, we’re also treating the “new normal” as an opportunity to up our game – both for our clients and for ourselves.

That’s why we’re particularly excited to kick off our new monthly feature: the DCS Service Spotlight. Each month, we’ll take a look at a different service Denny Civic Solutions offers. And (for reasons that will be clear once you read #1 below) we’re starting with the service that has been particularly upended by the COVID-19 crisis: Coalition Building and Management.

You’ve heard us preach before about the value of a broad, diverse coalition in achieving your public policy goal. There is strength in numbers, and having the right partner connect with decision-makers at the right time can mean the difference between success and failure.  

But what happens when you’re trying to grow your coalition by building relationships with organizations that you can’t meet with in person?  And how do you keep your coalition motivated to influence lawmakers in Harrisburg when the Capitol itself is shut down? 

1. Acknowledge the current reality:

If you host regular coalition calls like we do, consider kicking things off with a simple check-in on how everyone is coping. With folks more isolated than ever before, it’s important to share both our mutual frustration, challenges, and yes – triumphs – in the social distancing era. But beyond fostering a shared sense of community and purpose, it can actually shed light on information critical to the coalition’s messaging and strategy.

Take #StrongMomStrongBaby, a campaign DCS manages aimed at helping moms experiencing postpartum depression and their infants. After hearing about the unique challenges our network of moms, healthcare providers, and child development experts were experiencing under COVID-19, the campaign transformed these firsthand accounts into a powerful statement to our PA legislators. The simple act of checking in not only allowed us to highlight the outsized burden placed on new parents by the coronavirus, but also helped make our issue relevant to lawmakers whose sole focus may (understandably) be on COVID-19 at the moment.

2. Don’t be afraid to try something new:

Speaking of #StrongMomStrongBaby, I’ll admit I panicked a bit when COVID-19 closures made our planned April 4th Capitol Day in Harrisburg impossible. Capitol Days are a chance for our advocates – whether they’re experts or individuals with lived experience – to meet face-to-face with legislators and show them how postpartum depression impacts real families across PA every day.  

But much as postpartum depression doesn’t take a break during pandemics, our coalition can’t afford to take a break either. And as our DCS Director of Communications Cassie Rusnak outlined earlier this month, digital advocacy is the new normal. 

That’s why #StrongMomStrongBaby is excited to be hosting its first-ever Digital Advocacy Day next Wednesday, April 29th (click the link to RSVP). The daylong event will feature Facebook Live video updates from our bill sponsors, a lunchtime Q&A, personal stories from moms, and action items throughout the day for advocates to contact key legislators encouraging them to pass our legislation. Swing by the #StrongMomStrongBaby Facebook page all day on the 29th to check it out!

3. Let your partners lead the way:

At DCS, while we may help grow coalitions, develop campaign strategy, and handle the nuts-and-bolts of things like regular calls and outreach to legislators, these coalitions ultimately belong to the people that compose them. The hard work of partner organizations and grassroots advocates – who already have day jobs and dozens of other responsibilities to juggle – is the only thing that can sustain an effort and make it successful. Thanking them and acknowledging their work is critical, but truly listening to their input and accepting their guidance is even more so.

So with that in mind, rounding out our #StrongMomStrongBaby theme, we want to personally thank the people who make the campaign possible: our moms and their families, all of our coalition partners, our lead partner Gateway Health, our fiscal agent The POISE Foundation, our research partners at the Elsie H. Hillman Foundation and Staunton Farm Foundation, and our legislative champions. And we’re truly grateful and humbled that our friends at Gateway Health returned the favor, not just in their tireless work to advance #StrongMomStrongBaby, but in the form of the comments they shared about DCS:

I strongly endorse, and highly recommend Denny Civic Solutions to any organization seeking best in class service for matters related to civic engagement, policy development and government relations. This talented team of professionals consistently delivers excellent products on time and with integrity. Their pleasant demeanor and ability to multi-task is a bonus.

– Marcia Martin, Vice President, Gateway Health

Denny Civic Solutions has encouraged and facilitated greater engagement of SMSB Coalition stakeholders that has improved the availability of relevant intelligence and competency as well as strategic advocacy steps. They have remained passionate, diligent and on-task to achieve our desired end of (a) Increased screening for postpartum depression and (b) improving the quality of life for mom and family.

– Joe Glinka, Government Affairs Director, Gateway Health