My name is George, I used to be President of a community here in Republic of Nauru. However, I am still engage with my community but in a lesser capacity.
We didn't accomplish much during my tenure for two reasons: 1. Executives members do not turn up for meetings and seemed dis interested in community matters. 2. We could not get the general community to attend community meetings to discuss anything or contemplate projects.
My question is how can I generate interest from both executive and community to take interest in meetings and to discuss community issues?
Note: Community executives are volunteers and we do not have funding but depend on our local MPs for funding. But no funding can be released unless the projects are agreed to by executives the same ones who do not show up to meetings.
Hi George,
Your question leaves me perplexed, as I am certain you are also. There are many possible veriables that could be operating.
My thoughts go like this:
Is the purpose of the organization clearly stated and understood/accepted by your community and the community executives? Is it important to the wider community?
Has your organization conducted community needs assessments, gatherinng demographic ir statistical data and/or communkty surveys?
Are political factors operating that would not be visible to outsiders such as me?
I am sure that there are other relevant issues to consider, so I suggest that you try to meet individually with the directors and ask how they see both the overall situation and their own roles in helping the organization address community needs, Also, what would need to change to accomplish their active participation? Keep your questions open-ended and listen intently for recurring themes, Report those back to the directors as a group, without identifying indiividuals' confidentiality, Consider whether new board members should be recruited, and from what sectors of the community? Should consideration be given to closing the organization and finding a different vehicle for addressing community needs? (Sometimes that does need to happen because circumstances cannot be altered to revitalize an organization; and there is no shame in closing if that is the case.)
In our Table of Contents (under the Learn a Skill Graphic above) you will find sections and chapters on Community Needs Assessment and on Communication to Increase Interest and Participation. Also, take a look at the related Tool Kits. I hope those will be relevant and helpful to your effort. Best wishes for success in a perplexing and challenging effort.