Joining Forces: learning from campaigns
The topic for this meeting was: ‘What can we learn from tenacious and well-supported campaigns about joining forces for the long term?’
The speaker was Ollie Hilbery, Director of the Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) coalition. This is a coalition of national charities, Clinks, Homeless Link, Mind and Collective Voice, representing over 1,300 frontline organisations across England. They are working together to bring about systems change in local services for people facing multiple disadvantage.
Here are some of the key points made by Ollie and by others in the discussion:
Resources. To manage and sustain a partnership requires resources. This includes money (ideally core funding) but also leadership commitment from all partners, and continuity of key individuals.
Strategic recommitment. It is a good idea to periodically ask the question ‘Are we still up for this?’ and to have an honest discussion about that.
Managing the ebb and flow. There can be risks when the partners drift too far apart, but also when they come too close. The partnership needs to be alert to these risks, and take action if necessary.
Unwritten rules. There may be a partnership agreement, but some things which may not be written down must be observed. For example: no bidding against each other, no surprises.
Size of the partnership. A small number is best suited for intense co-operation over a long period. When the campaign requires a much larger alliance to be successful, there might be a core group and a wider membership, with a clear purpose and a strong and respected brand to hold it all together.
Inequalities within the partnership. Larger organisations need to behave with humility, not claiming power they don’t deserve – the small organisation may be able to offer insights or specialisms which are larger partners don’t have. In a good partnership all have equal weight, regardless of size.
Disagreements. Relationship need to be strong enough to have a falling out and get back together again.
The inherent value of partnership. For some the partnership is a good in itself, for others it is a necessary means to an end - many sit on a spectrum somewhere between the two.
Further reading: See this blog by Cate Newnes-Smith.