Even if people don't come, they know they're missing something. Sloppy meetings, late starts, and frequent date changes mark the demise of many well-meaning coalitions, he says. Above all, don't ignore looming conflicts or difficult issues, she adds. Avoiding them creates bigger problems. King adds that coalitions should also monitor their internal success.
Annual evaluations can help collaboratives assess both external and internal progress.
You're bringing organizations that are really different together around a common agenda. But the payoff can be enormous.