At this level, too, each organization shares a measure of responsibility for the success or failure of the coalition, but the level of commitment is moderate. The diversity of coalition membership is a strength as well as an Achilles heel inviting dissension. At this level, organizational relationships are formalized and involve a long-term commitment to address critical and complex social issues of wide concern. In this phase, turf protection can be high and the ability to let go of control over the direction of the group is critical. A high level of trust is needed in the group process.
Collaborations are long-term and focus on a wide variety of issues.
Challenge of Genuine Collaboration Establishing linkages with other agencies takes time, a lot of hard work, and a commitment to success. It won't be easy, but the goal is worth the effort. Just as no one social system is responsible for a problem, no one system alone can solve it. Fragmented communities don't need fragmented services. Instead, the more we work together, the more we have the possibility of better understanding complex social problems and acting on them in an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, and mutual respect.