Coalition Charter

Description

The Gravenstein Health Action Coalition collaborates and partners with local organizations, agencies and individuals in order to work together to support policy, system, and environmental change to improve the health outcomes of all residents of West Sonoma County using the self-healing community model. The Coalition achieves its goals by collaborating with organizational partners as well as applying for and receiving grants for specific projects which achieve outcomes that move our goals forward.

The Self-Healing Communities Model reflects the path forward to meet our Mission and Vision. This model was developed in Washington State and introduced into 42 Communities from 1994-2012. It resulted in a dramatic reduction in the rates of the social problems which can create decreased health and well- being in the community. The model uses community capacity to create a culture of health and well- being. Leaders from different sectors work together and invite new community members into leadership teams. The community comes together to identify the major problems which have a negative impact on the overall health of the community and determine the root cause of the problem allowing those who are most impacted to be part of identifying what is important and what is needed most. This creates a dynamic cycle of learning, action, and reflection. Learning from the reflection starts the cycle again.

Mission

Mobilize and collaborate with community partners and resources to improve equity, health, safety, and well-being for all in west Sonoma County.

Vision

West County is a healthy and safe place for all residents to live, work, play and belong.

Guiding Principles

1. Placing equity at the center of all we do by identifying inequities and reducing barriers.

2. Supporting and collaborating with West County stakeholders.

3. Providing opportunities and support for building community capacity.

Board Membership – 5-15 members Including Officers

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Past President

Board Meetings

Occur once a month on the third Monday from 4-5:30 PM, unless otherwise necessary for an urgent reason.

The Executive Board – President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, past President and Ex Officio Board representative, meets the Wednesday before the Board meeting every month.

Advisory Council:

The Advisory Council of GHAC is comprised of community members who support the Mission and Vision of the organization and who bring their expertise and experience to further the efforts of GHAC. They extend and broaden the scope of GHAC reach into the local community. The Advisory Council meets every other month, and Advisory members are welcome to join Board meetings, but they are not voting members.

Government Liaisons

Sebastopol City Council Designee

Programs

Periodically the GHAC Board develops a Strategic Plan with long and short term goals and reviews all programs and activities against our goals and Guiding Principles.