Reader, I’ve been sitting with some hard truths lately.

Systems are complex. Dynamic. Interconnected.

Working together in a coalition to change those systems is hard. Slow. Complicated.

That’s just the reality of what we’re trying to do.

So for anyone else who’s feeling stuck, but not ready to give up (I’m definitely not!) - I thought I’d share some simple questions I go back to when I’m trying to dig myself out of the ditch and get us back on a path to action. (And let me be clear, I mean the questions are simple - the process of answering them and the answers themselves are unlikely to be.)

For whatever system you’re trying to change:

1. What's working? What are the strategies, models, and examples that are working that we can learn from?
2. What’s not working? What are the gaps, challenges, and complaints we need to address?
3. What should be tried next? What specifically should be continued or started, changed or stopped?
4. Who has the authority/capacity/expertise to execute those next steps? And what might we or our partners or our communities be able to do to influence, equip, or support those people to take those steps?

I hope these questions can help you climb back onto the path to action if you’ve fallen off, or keep you going on it if you’re still making your way.

And if you're looking for some extra support on that front, we're here to help! PoP Health's capacity building packages for community coalitions and their partners include training workshops, tools, and templates that will help you walk through the systems change questions I've shared above in a way that's driven by both community and coalition member perspectives. Plus, we'll support you with ongoing coaching and technical assistance that'll make sure you take those actions to the finish line. Here’s a brief summary, email me if you want to chat further!

Until next time,

Vinu

PS Learn something in this newsletter? Spread the word! Forward this email to a friend or colleague who might want to weave their own community threads.

PPS Want to learn more about PoP Health and how we partner with community coalitions and collaboratives to transform health in communities through policy and systems change? Check out our website!