1. Designate a coalition leader.
The leader could be you, or it could be someone you else whom you assist. It should be the person best suited to lead the group. This person should be organized, work well with others, and be committed to child passenger safety.
An effective leader has many of these qualities:
- Knows the community well
- Is a strong role model
- Is trusted by many in the community
- Communicates well
- Is self-motivated
- Stays organized
- Is a team player
- Keeps an open mind
- Is aware of different learning styles
- Listens to others
- Is respectful of others
- Realizes their role is not the most important
- Relates well with others
- Has enough time to commit to the cause
- Can manage everyone’s passions and skills
One other note:
In our experience, it helps if the leader is a certified child passenger safety technician. For more information on becoming a certified child passenger safety technician, visit Module 7 – Provide Child Passenger Restraint Education.
Alice “Kootsie” Cunial (CHR)
In Klamath, there was a Community Health Representative (CHR) who went out to outlying areas. Because the CHR went beyond the central areas of Klamath Falls and Chiloquin, into smaller rural areas that are not frequented on a regular basis, the CHR knew the community and the movement of people into and out of these outlying areas. She was able to share information about events that these areas may not have heard about due to their distance from the central areas. She was able to distribute flyers and posters throughout these locations as well, serving as a good link to the outlying area population.