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Keeping an organization strong
J Oral Maxillofac 54:1269, 1996
Surg
Keeping
an Organization
It is not unusual to hear people complain about the organizations of which they are members. Often these complaints are about minor topics, but sometimes there are major issues involved. At such times it is very easy to blame the officers or fellow members for not considering your viewpoint or for not taking the necessary steps to correct the problem. Finding fault with others is a quick solution, but in the long run it does not solve the problem and only weakens the organization. The way to resolve issues and make an organization responsive to your needs is through active participation. Otherwise, you become a part of the problem and have no one to blame but yourself. Without realizing it, there are many ways in which you can destroy the effectiveness of a volunteer organization. One of the most obvious ways to destroy effectiveness is by not attending meetings. Not much better are those who do attend meetings, but only for the scientific and social activities. Participation in these functions is important, but attendance at businesssessions is equally as important because that is where decisions are made and where your input can have an effect. In addition, attendance means more than just a physical presence,and more than just a cursory appearance such as arriving late and leaving early. Truly being a member meansbeing knowledgeable about the issues and making your opinions heard. Too often, we hear disgruntled mumbles coming from members during a meeting, but they do not become really vocal until the meeting is over. Hallway discussions may make one feel better, but they are generally too late to have a real effect. Then, when dissatisfaction still exists, there is a tendency to withdraw further from participation because “The organization does not do anything for me anyway.” Volunteer organizations arejust that; they depend on the members’ involvement to carry out their activities. Thus, another effective way to weaken an organization is to leave the work to others. When asked to help, you never have time or when asked to cooperate, you talk cooperation but never follow through. You take what an organization gives, but give nothing in return. If you are a party to any of those actions, you really have no basisfor complaint. Yet, there is often the cry that the organization is being run by a clique, so why even bother to become involved. Leadership roles come to those who willingly and unselfishly contribute
1269
Strong
their efforts. It is a recognition by one’s peers, and not a process of self appointment. If you are dissatisfied with the leadership, it is your own hard work, and not your criticism, that will help make a difference and keep the organization strong. Lack of follow-up by members is another organizational killer. Some may attend meetings, listen to the discussions,and even voice their opinions. Then, they vote in favor of an action and go home full of selfsatisfaction. However, that is where their involvement ends; they never attempt to implement the action. Moreover, it may not even be possible to implement the action, but that was not a consideration when it was voted for. After all, one may think “Why worry about that, when it will be others who will carry the ball?” To make a volunteer organization effective, everyone must do their share in supporting its activities. Poor communication can also be detrimental to the vitality of any organization. Most organizations put great emphasis on communication with the membership becausethey correctly believe that they can only function effectively when the membership is informed about issues and are supportive of the actions being taken to resolve them. To accomplish this objective, almost all organizations provide newsletters and other informational materials on a frequent basis. They also will often conduct surveys to obtain opinions on crucial matters. However, communication is a two-way process.Members not only have to read the material provided on a timely basis, but they also have to react to it in a timely manner. Frequently, organizational literature is relegated to the samepile as promotional advertising and throw-away journals and magazines, possibly to be read later. Then, when memberseventually learn of what has happened, they are unhappy and voice their criticism of the leadership. By this point it may be too late. Perhaps the reason why problems with memberorganization relations exist can be found in the beliefs that one holds about the purpose of belonging to a volunteer organization. Such organizations will never flourish if the attitude of the members is to take all that the organization will give, and offer nothing in return. We need to remember that belonging to an organization is both a privilege and an obligation, and put true meaning into the word “volunteer.” DANIEL M. LASKIN
Surg
Keeping
an Organization
It is not unusual to hear people complain about the organizations of which they are members. Often these complaints are about minor topics, but sometimes there are major issues involved. At such times it is very easy to blame the officers or fellow members for not considering your viewpoint or for not taking the necessary steps to correct the problem. Finding fault with others is a quick solution, but in the long run it does not solve the problem and only weakens the organization. The way to resolve issues and make an organization responsive to your needs is through active participation. Otherwise, you become a part of the problem and have no one to blame but yourself. Without realizing it, there are many ways in which you can destroy the effectiveness of a volunteer organization. One of the most obvious ways to destroy effectiveness is by not attending meetings. Not much better are those who do attend meetings, but only for the scientific and social activities. Participation in these functions is important, but attendance at businesssessions is equally as important because that is where decisions are made and where your input can have an effect. In addition, attendance means more than just a physical presence,and more than just a cursory appearance such as arriving late and leaving early. Truly being a member meansbeing knowledgeable about the issues and making your opinions heard. Too often, we hear disgruntled mumbles coming from members during a meeting, but they do not become really vocal until the meeting is over. Hallway discussions may make one feel better, but they are generally too late to have a real effect. Then, when dissatisfaction still exists, there is a tendency to withdraw further from participation because “The organization does not do anything for me anyway.” Volunteer organizations arejust that; they depend on the members’ involvement to carry out their activities. Thus, another effective way to weaken an organization is to leave the work to others. When asked to help, you never have time or when asked to cooperate, you talk cooperation but never follow through. You take what an organization gives, but give nothing in return. If you are a party to any of those actions, you really have no basisfor complaint. Yet, there is often the cry that the organization is being run by a clique, so why even bother to become involved. Leadership roles come to those who willingly and unselfishly contribute
1269
Strong
their efforts. It is a recognition by one’s peers, and not a process of self appointment. If you are dissatisfied with the leadership, it is your own hard work, and not your criticism, that will help make a difference and keep the organization strong. Lack of follow-up by members is another organizational killer. Some may attend meetings, listen to the discussions,and even voice their opinions. Then, they vote in favor of an action and go home full of selfsatisfaction. However, that is where their involvement ends; they never attempt to implement the action. Moreover, it may not even be possible to implement the action, but that was not a consideration when it was voted for. After all, one may think “Why worry about that, when it will be others who will carry the ball?” To make a volunteer organization effective, everyone must do their share in supporting its activities. Poor communication can also be detrimental to the vitality of any organization. Most organizations put great emphasis on communication with the membership becausethey correctly believe that they can only function effectively when the membership is informed about issues and are supportive of the actions being taken to resolve them. To accomplish this objective, almost all organizations provide newsletters and other informational materials on a frequent basis. They also will often conduct surveys to obtain opinions on crucial matters. However, communication is a two-way process.Members not only have to read the material provided on a timely basis, but they also have to react to it in a timely manner. Frequently, organizational literature is relegated to the samepile as promotional advertising and throw-away journals and magazines, possibly to be read later. Then, when memberseventually learn of what has happened, they are unhappy and voice their criticism of the leadership. By this point it may be too late. Perhaps the reason why problems with memberorganization relations exist can be found in the beliefs that one holds about the purpose of belonging to a volunteer organization. Such organizations will never flourish if the attitude of the members is to take all that the organization will give, and offer nothing in return. We need to remember that belonging to an organization is both a privilege and an obligation, and put true meaning into the word “volunteer.” DANIEL M. LASKIN