March
Stakeholders in Community-Based Organizations
Community-based organizations must be cognizant of their various stakeholders. In a scholarly-supported response of no less than 500 words, profile a local community-based organization, analyzing its specific stakeholders. Present the initial information in a diagram and then define and evaluate each group of stakeholders. Why is each group considered a stakeholder? What conflicts may exist between each stakeholder group, and how should an organization leader best consider these interests? Respond to at least two of your classmates with responses of no less than 350 words each.
Introduction: Community Organizations, Constituents, and Diversity
Last week, we talked about organizations and their relationship within a larger environment. This week, we are going to spend time examining how these organizations are linked to people. Community-based organizations are often designed to serve specific constituents, and for an applied sociologist, it is critical to understand who those people are, what barriers may exist in preventing organizations from reaching those people, and how organizations must be cognizant to issues of diversity and changing demographic trends.
First, there are many different stakeholders who have an interest in community-based organizations and should be considered in various decision-making processes. Stakeholders are those who have an interest in the organization, including employees, boards of directors, target groups, funders, supporters, employee families, and more. One important consideration is that not everyone’s interest is the same, so an organization must weigh interests in decision-making processes.
Second, barriers may exist between organizations and their target groups they wish to serve. Once an organization has formed, it must reach those groups. Various barriers include communication, language, funding, trust, and even public opinion. For example, consider the Boy Scouts of America and the problems that group encountered when they took a conservative view towards homosexual members and leaders. Various stakeholders stopped supporting the BSA and conflict between the various councils, members, and other interested parties helped encourage the group to change its stance. Read here for an interesting article on the BSA: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2015/07/14/how-the-boy-scouts-of-america-changed-itself-from-within-on-the-issue-of-gay-leaders/
Third, organizations must actively overcome these barriers. They can form various task forces, outreach programs, recruit gatekeepers, build trust, and even collaborate with other community-based organizations. Creative thought and active outreach are key to meeting the needs of those an organization wishes to serve.
Finally, community-based organizations must be cognizant of diversity issues. According to Hayes (2012), around 43% of people entering the workforce are those of color, yet around 82% of non-profit employees are white. Minorities are even less represented in management positions. This is an important consideration because many of those organizations serve are minorities. Furthermore, there a lack of women in management positions, and many community-based organizations do not consider women as potential major donors or decision-makers.
Consequently, community-based organizations must consider diversity issues when they are working with their stakeholders and making decisions. As the 14th Dalai Lama noted, “[o]ur every action has a universal dimension, a potential impact on others’ happiness.”
Reference:
Hayes, J. (2012). Is the nonprofit sector doing enough for diversity? Profiles in Diversity Journal. Retrieved from http://www.diversityjournal.com/9897-is-the-nonprofit-sector-doing-enough-for-diversity/
Resources
Required Text
McKnight, J. & McKnight Plummer, J. (2015). Community organizing: Theory and practice . Retrieved from https://redshelf.com Chapter 11: Power and Empowerment
Required References
Concha, M. (2014). Exploring collaboration, its antecedents, and perceived outcomes in service partnerships of community-based organizations in South Florida. International Journal of Public Administration, 37(1), 44-52.
Flippen, C. A., & Parrado, E. A. (2012). Forging Hispanic communities in new destinations: A case study of Durham, North Carolina. City & Community, 11(1), 1-30.
Molyneux, C., Hutchison, B., Chuma, J., & Gilson, L. (2007). The role of community-based organizations, in household ability to pay for health care in Kilifi District, Kenya. Health Policy and Planning, 22(6), 381-392.
Philadelphia Fed. (2014, June 13). The future of CDCs: Three compelling visions [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqQHVQwKv4U
Tran, V. C., Graif, C., Jones, A. D., Small, M. L, & Winship, C. (2013). Patricipation in context: Neighborhood diversity and organizational involvement in Boston. City & Community, 12(3), 187-210.
WHROTV. (2010, March 23). Another view - African-American mega churches [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0R4fSXv_2E (Links to an external site.)
Recommended References
Bartlett, A., Alix-Garcia, J., and Saah, D.S. (2012). City growth under conflict conditions: The view from Nyala, Darfur. City & Community, 12(2), 134-155.
Kuebler, M. (2013). Lending in the modern era: Does racial composition of neighborhoods matter when individuals seek home financing? A pilot study in New England. City & Community, 11(1), 31-50.
Makedon, A. (1996). What multiculturalism should not be. In Oliker, M.A. (Ed.), Proceedings of the Midwest Philosophy of Education Society, 1995-1996. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Midwest Philosohy of Education Society, Loyola University-Chicago, Chicago, IL, 8-96 November (pp. 172-186). Chicago, IL: MPES.
McKenzie , B. S. (2013). Neighborhood access to transit by race, ethnicity, and poverty in Portland, OR. City & Community, 12(2), 134-155.
Owens, A. (2012) Neighborhoods on the rise: A typology of neighborhoods experiencing socioeconomic ascent. City & Community, 11(4), 345-369.
Peterson, R. D., & Krivo, L. J. (2010). Divergent social worlds: Neighborhood crime and the racial-spatial divide. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation. ISBN: 978-0-87154-697-5
Salcedo, R., & Rasse, A. (2012). The heterogeneous nature of urban poor families. City & Community, 11(1), 94-118.
Stall, S., & Stoecker, R. (1997). Community organizing or organizing community? Gender and the crafts of empowerment. (Working Paper). Retrieved from http://www.comm-org.wisc.edu/papers96/gender2.html