Table of Contents >
Chapter 9. Developing an Organizational Structure for the In... >
Section 1. Organizational Structure: An Overview >
Organizational Structure: An Overview |
Tools & Checklists | Contributed by Jenette Nagy Edited by Jerry Schultz and Bill Berkowitz |
Checklist
Here, you'll find a checklist summarizing the major points contained in the text.
___You have met with other members of the organization to discuss the best structure for your organization.
___You have chosen the relative formality your organization will have.
___You have chosen your organization's structure, based on your understanding that:
- Structure is the framework around which the group is organized.
- Structure gives members clear guidelines for how to proceed.
- Structure binds members together.
- Structure in any organization is inevitable.
- Structure should occur in proportion and parallel with other work the organization is doing.
Three elements of structure are some kind of governance, rules by which the organization operates, and a distribution of work. Four tasks are inherent to community work:
- Envisioning desired changes
- Transforming the community
- Planning for integration
- Supporting the efforts of those working to promote change
___You've established necessary committees or subgroups based on your understanding of common roles in community organizations. These roles can be linked together for small, medium, and larger groups.
- A steering committee is the group of people who get things started.
- A coordinating council modifies broad, organization-wide objectives and strategies in response to input from individuals or committees.
- The executive director often takes the place of or serves at the head of the coordinating council.
- Task forces are made up of members who work together around broad objectives.
- Action committees are formed by larger organizations to bring about the changes sought by the organization.
- Support committees are groups that help ensure that action committees or other individuals will have the resources and opportunities necessary to realize their vision.
- Community trustees provide overall support, advice, and resources to organization members.
- Grantmakers can be public or private. They offer financial support to organizations.
- Support organizations are groups that offer technical assistance.
- Partner organizations work on the same issues as your organization.