I believe structure can make an
impact on how an organization functions but sadly I am not so optimistic that
it alone can make a difference. People still are the primary solution and the
primary problem. An executive director must have the competency to do the job
and a board that pays attention. and a president that inspires in the right
direction. Any of these three elements can effect the outcome dramatically.
They all must know where they are going.
I have yet to believe that most
plant societies, those with executive directors and those without, really know
anymore why they exist anymore. When most were formed they had specific goals
that drove them forward. Today many are simply fixated on survival or carrying
out the business they have always done. Some times structural changes can aid
in revitalizing an organization. But unless the membership has a vision of why
the organization is there, no structural change will be productive. I see many
affiliates dying because of individuals. These people are eager to grasp some
power, but really lack a vision of why anyone should follow them. It is all
about them. It is often easy for these people to gain a position of leadership
in a club. Most of us really do not want the responsibility and if someone
raises their hand we are willing to give them the job. But often it is not
that they have a goal they work to achieve, but more that that they wish to
make others do what they want. Some of these people sadly like to blame others
rather than take the responsibility for what they have not done. These are
reasons why people quit clubs or never want to join. I have seen affiliates
all across the country die for these reasons. I believe it is easier to blame
the structure. There are times when bylaws must be changed to meet new
realities. But how many times have you seen someone wanting to change bylaws,
just to make themselves more powerful. In our time society has changed
dramatically. We need to have new ways to interact with the world and our
fellow irisarians. But I do not think structure is THE answer. Perhaps it is
part in that you may create new structures to make possible new goals. But
first I think the problem is us. We need to have a clear understanding of what
we want the organization to be, and what goals it should pursue that are
relevant to our times. An executive director needs to have a clear idea of the
needs of the society to be able to carry those needs out. I do not believe our
society has a clear idea of what it wants to be in todays world. And therefore
any executive director, no matter how good, would be doomed to failure.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob Plank"
<bobplankmail@aol.com>
To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
Sent: Friday,
March 26, 2010 11:14:04 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re:
[AISdiscuss] 2013 AIS Convention
Just kidding. Can I be on the
committee?
Bob
From: JCoates694@aol.com
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:10:14 EDT
To: <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] 2013 AIS Convention
Then perhaps we should evaluate why it works for other, successful,
societies, but didn't work for us. And the important word in that sentence
was, "didn't." Times change, Board Members change, etc.
Jerry Coates, Associate Broker, GRI
Direct:
301-663-1113
Cell: 301-606-1895
Fax: 301-644-2663
Website: http://JerryCoates.Realtor.com
Specializing in Frederick Real
Estate, since 1972!