Coalition Governance Structure
- Board of directors: Independent board with member representation; responsible for strategic direction
- Executive committee: Smaller group for operational decisions; meets more frequently
- Working groups: Member-led groups focused on specific topics (pharmacy, mental health, direct contracting)
- Staff: Professional staff responsible for day-to-day operations, vendor management, and analytics
- Member obligations: Clear documentation of member data sharing, steerage, and financial commitments
- Dispute resolution: Clear process for resolving disputes between members or between members and staff
Member Accountability
Member accountability is essential for coalition effectiveness. Members who do not fulfill their commitments — sharing data, directing employees to contracted providers, paying fees — undermine the coalition's value for all members. Effective coalitions have clear member obligations, regular performance reporting, and consequences for non-compliance (including removal from the coalition).
Governance Best Practices
Pro Tip
Before joining a coalition, review the governance documents carefully: bylaws, member agreement, data sharing agreement, and fee schedule. Understand your obligations and the consequences of non-compliance. Evaluate the governance track record — has the coalition resolved disputes effectively? Has it held members accountable? Strong governance is the foundation of coalition effectiveness.