Set specific, short-term goals. Any new organization with a broad and compelling mandate faces a dilemma between setting reasonable, short-term goals and narrowing its scope too much at the outset. Testing new collaborations, and not knowing which initiatives are going to be successful, a coalition is tempted to try too many things. Instead, a sensible strategy is to set two or three concrete goals and try to achieve these, while at the same time finding ways to educate your members.
Business people are impatient.
They want action. Read, Education Program Coordinator United Parcel Service, Louisville, Kentucky Educate yourselves and spread the word. Educating your community about middle school reform creates a common core of understanding, which becomes increasingly valuable as your coalition moves on to more ambitious goals. Jackson's coalition has put a lot of effort into forums that feature presentations by exemplary educators and involve local teachers, students, and parents. Do something tangible.