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Many visitors to Sydney see little more than Paddington, King Street and the Opera House. But a trip to Darling Harbour makes for a very rewarding day out. It's a short hop from Circular Quay and packed with things to see and ...
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Articles » Business » Ethics » Critical techniques to improve the performance of your environmental advocacy group
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- Article Views: 82
- Word Count: 557
- Date Contributed: May 22, 2008
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| Critical techniques to improve the performance of your environmental advocacy group |
Environmental advocacy is a remarkably diverse area. It encompasses both protecting the public from environmental hazards and protecting the resources of nature. As gains have been secured at the local, state and national level, there is a growing understanding in the field that further gains will be contingent on inculcating the same professional skills as private and government organizations that typify best managerial practices.
When it comes to successfully launching an environmental advocacy group you might find some good advice in the literature. Yet the ongoing actual management of such advocacy groups is another matter. That is why many environmental advocacy groups struggle to effectively manage. This article shares several insights from the trenches.
Collaborate with other environmental advocacy organizations
The State of New York alone has over 400 environmental advocacy organizations listed by the Environmental Conservation Department of Environmental Conservation. And in the last few years, there has been increasing levels of coordination between geographically diverse environmental advocacy groups.
One driver of this trend has been lower flight travel costs – a trend that may now be going the opposite direction with skyrocketing fuel prices. A separate driver is the ubiquity of free conference calling services such as Rondee.
All of these companies work on the same central principle: they give you a personal access number and a toll number to dial. If all participants dial the same number and enter the same code, they are put into the call together.
Involve academic experts
A frequent erroneous conception is that academic curricula is too far removed from the realities of environmental politics to be meaningful. However, programs such as that offered by Antioch University provide graduate level training in environmental advocacy as wells as organizing. Indeed, they train young campus leaders for careers as advocates and grassroots organizers.
Students at these programs are excellent candidates to be recruited as volunteers or leaders for your group. Also consider seeking the involvement of a faculty or staff member who can provide guidance and advice to your group. While students arrive and depart as the years go by; faculty generally remain.
Keep tightly focused
The most effectively managed environmental organizations are ones that stay clearly focused on their mission and do not allow members or leaders to get sidetracked by peripheral goals. Virtually all environmental advocacy organizations operate under substantial time constraints. Committing to three goals with 100% effort will generally yield superior results compared to tackling nine goals at one third effort.
Increase your network
The most successful advocacy organizations create networks of supporters who share their philosophy and goals. While the word networking frequently gets a negative connotation, the simple fact is that these networks can provide substantial assistance and members can keep connected more effectively through conference calling services. Indeed, associations provide the psychological support which is so critical to maintaining energy amongst group officers and members.
Use web technology in a more strategic way
Some environmental advocacy groups have far flung leadership teams, and it is difficult to expect face-to-face meetings. One solution is to use an application to allow desktop sharing
Whether it's sharing a PowerPoint presentation showing the group's fundraising plan or a spreadsheet showing the tracking of volunteer participation, desktop sharing can be extremely useful for many advocacy groups.
The silver lining is that these ideas are not expensive. Environmental advocacy groups can improve their performance through these techniques.
http://www.rondee.com
Article Source: UnArchived Articles
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