The USBC- affiliated constellation work groups are in various phases of development, which evolve and change along with their projects, stewards, and capacity. The USBC Constellation Formation Pathway guides the development of Constellations across five stages. Download the pathway document for details about stakeholders, backbone organization support, DEI approach, evaluation, and more.

What is a Constellation?

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The Constellation Model of Collaborative Social Change comes from the field of Collective Impact, specifically, the model first articulated in 2006 by the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment (CPCHE). It is a complexity-inspired governance framework designed to 'hold' multi-organization partnerships and networks within dynamic systems.

A Constellation is an action-focused work team populated by interested member and partner organizations. While the USBC provides infrastructure supports for their convening and facilitates or "stewards" in topic areas where it is funded, the strategies prioritized as Constellations’ common agendas are entirely driven by the collective will of the participant organizations themselves. The USBC Board does not attempt to influence or involve itself in these decisions and actions in any way: the decision-making power remains in the hands of the Constellation participants. Therefore, the Constellations' priority strategies and implementation activities are joint work products of the participant organizations, not the USBC Board of Directors, staff team, or steward.

If you represent a USBC member organization with interest and capacity to join a constellation, please email us.

Constellation Workgroups' Status

as of 2023

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Active

When constellations are active, organizations are regularly engaging in advancing priority strategies. Their primary goals are to live the group's values, maintain ongoing communication, implement collaborative efforts, and achieve shared aims. 
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• Lactation Support Providers
• Workplace Support

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Organizing

Organizing constellations are ready to negotiate partnership agreements such as the development of a Terms of Reference. At the same time, they are also formalizing working agreements like decision making processes, identifying conflicts of interest, and anticipating contributions from each partner. 
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• Pasteurized Donor Human Milk

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Emerging

Emerging constellations are keen to select priority strategies for collective action and have identified a steward organization(s) with a capacity to lead on the topic. They are articulating a shared understanding of the problem and considering equitable advocacy approaches.

• Disrupting Formula Marketing
• Infant and Young Child Feeding In Emergencies
• Maternity Care Practices

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Dormant

Constellations become dormant when their projects conclude and the group has determined that their objectives have been met. The Continuity of Care constellation released it's cornerstone work, "Continuity of Care in Breastfeeding Support, A Blueprint for Communities" and the Physician Education & Training constellation completed a variety of priorities that focused on infant nutrition, engaging medical provider organizations and relevant stakeholders.

• Continuity of Care
• Physician Education & Training