3.7.2  Choose an Organizational Structure, continued

Determine the type of organizational model. Prior to identifying community leaders and organizational partners for a prevention effort, the initiators should determine the type of organizational model to be created. This will affect the balance of professional and nonprofessional persons, prospective partners, the defined community, the organization’s scope of activities, and the guiding philosophy and vision for the prevention effort. The primary models have been used by coalitions: (1) a professional model consisting primarily of paid professional staff members, (2) a grassroots or lay model consisting primarily of volunteers and community organizers, and (3) a joint professional supported community empowerment model consisting of a balance of both paid professionals and volunteers.

Community attitudes can help to determine the best model. Research does not indicate that one model is superior over another. The following questions can help to guide the decision:

• How broad an effort is really desired?
• Do concerned agencies desire a coalition of professionals as leaders?
• Is the coalition to be expanded by adding a community advisor element?
• Is the coalition to be a transitional step toward a community organization with professional advisors?
• Is the ultimate goal a completely independent community organization?
• Will a professionally run coalition exist alongside another model?
• What legal form will the coalition take? Will it be a separate 501 (c) (3) entity? Will the coalition be a program of an existing organization that can serve as a fiscal agent for receiving funds to support it? Will it be an all-volunteer informal group without legal status?