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In my 60 years, I have watched many non-profit organizations (local, state and national) work very, very hard and accomplishing nothing of note. In fact, in a couple of instances, they lost ground on their issue because of the things they did to bring attention to the issue.
What was the common thread? First let me tell you what that common thread was not.
It was not a lack of dedication and commitment. For the most part, people where highly motivated to make a difference. They were educated, informed and, in some cases, expert in their issue. And they worked hard, long hours. They would write letters, hold rallies, lobby politicians, protest police action, and organize, organize, organize.
It was not a lack of skills. They had great ideas and, often, executed those ideas well.
It was not invisibility. Most of these organizations had visibility in the affected community, and many were known in media circles and in political circles.
It was not a lack of funding. Although funding for non-profits is always an issue, it was not the common thread.
There are many things that were not the common thread.
Here is the common thread. The organization had forgotten, bypassed, squashed, mangled, or distorted their purpose of existence. They were in action all over the place, but not actions that aligned with their stated purpose. They have gone off the rails while they were busy painting the caboose and nobody noticed.
Every one of the organizations where busy handling urgent matters without regard to the severity of the matter. And in so doing, the important, underlying matters where left to flounder or run aground. They were in trouble because they had no long-range plan or, if they had one, they were not following it.
Here is what that causes in staff, volunteers and donors: resignation and cynicism. Spinning one's wheels kills moral and, eventually, the organization.
Plan you work and work you plan. Easy to say, but it does require a shift in the organizational point of view. A GREAT BIG SHIFT.
What was the common thread? First let me tell you what that common thread was not.
It was not a lack of dedication and commitment. For the most part, people where highly motivated to make a difference. They were educated, informed and, in some cases, expert in their issue. And they worked hard, long hours. They would write letters, hold rallies, lobby politicians, protest police action, and organize, organize, organize.
It was not a lack of skills. They had great ideas and, often, executed those ideas well.
It was not invisibility. Most of these organizations had visibility in the affected community, and many were known in media circles and in political circles.
It was not a lack of funding. Although funding for non-profits is always an issue, it was not the common thread.
There are many things that were not the common thread.
Here is the common thread. The organization had forgotten, bypassed, squashed, mangled, or distorted their purpose of existence. They were in action all over the place, but not actions that aligned with their stated purpose. They have gone off the rails while they were busy painting the caboose and nobody noticed.
Every one of the organizations where busy handling urgent matters without regard to the severity of the matter. And in so doing, the important, underlying matters where left to flounder or run aground. They were in trouble because they had no long-range plan or, if they had one, they were not following it.
Here is what that causes in staff, volunteers and donors: resignation and cynicism. Spinning one's wheels kills moral and, eventually, the organization.
Plan you work and work you plan. Easy to say, but it does require a shift in the organizational point of view. A GREAT BIG SHIFT.