TNGO Workshop Presented by David Mwambari and Clint Misamore Moderated by Tosca Bruno

Vision & Mission -Identifying a problem or societal issue; A theory of change! Challenge: Who’s opinion is right? Social change is a question of values. So we agree. But what’s the best way to approach it? Solution: -realize the complexities with issues such as poverty; understand the interconnected components; identify a vision that is clear

Leadership Challenge: -Balancing the internal & external simultaneously -Who should lead the organization? What sort of organizational structure is best? Solution: -Articulate a clear and common vision for the organization and a set of strategies to achieve it; mobilize resources to achieve goals; and consistently evaluate and change strategies when necessary

Accountability Government Constituents (Voters) Corporations Clients/Customers NGOs Donors, Trustees, Partners, Staff, Critics, Internally Challenge: No bottom-line for performance measurement.

Legitimacy Challenge: -NGOs have no statutory authority to act. Because its voluntary they must continually justify their existence. Government has authoritative power Businesses have influence through financial capital Solution: -Expand & mobilize social capital to increase civic engagement. -People have to believe in your vision and see the positive impact; expert recognition greatly improves this

Partnership Challenge: Changing global environment; communication, expanding civil society, legitimacy Solution: -Partnerships allow for dividing roles, collaborative learning, expanding scope -Realize the social, economic, cultural, and political atmosphere you’ll be working in -Make sure partners share your theory of change -Partners should share in collective accountability and ensure mutual benefits (donors, communities, NGOs) Effectiveness… Are all parties satisfied and were the objectives reached? Micheal Edwards: “Success will be measured by the ability of grassroots action connected to markets and politics at multiple levels of the world system, this requires all components to work together.”

Funding Challenge: Diverse and Unpredictable!!! -Unlike businesses no customers, unlike government no taxes, Therefore the must rely on resource providers to justify their existence -Volatility paired with donor fatigue Solution: -Diversify fundraising strategies…grants, private companies, social business, events, patient capital -Will you compromise your principles to follow funding? -How to ensure your projects will continue to gain funding? Are they sustainable?

Volunteers Challenge: --Unlike businesses, NGOs cant rely on financial/material incentives for staff compliance - How do we get those involved when we don’t necessarily have the capacity? We don’t want volunteers with nothing to do. Solution: -Staff has to believe in the vision -Identify exactly what you require

Monitoring & Evaluation -Important? -Qualitative vs. Quantitative -Satisfying donor requests -Contact Theory multiplier effect

Advice 1. Failure?: No such thing. Rather a challenge. Seldom do people get it right the first time. And if they think they got it right their probably wrong. 2. Planning: Position yourself for the unknown variable 3. Passion: Believe in your cause or noone else will 4. Communicate: Works 2 ways! Possibly the biggest shortfall with any organization. Catalyst for internal/ external collapse. 5. Balance: Your better giving 20% of your time for 30 years rather than 100% of your time for 1-2

6. Patience: Better qualified people have been working on these issues for much longer and still haven’t found solutions. 7. Educate: Yourself/Team. People are very skeptical. Even if what your doing is appropriate you need to be able to articulate your vision. 8. Representation: Know what your personal/organizational values are and don’t compromise them. Are these values truly your own? 9. Reflection/Questioning : Don’t just move from one decision or project to the next. Know where you’ve come from and assess where your heading. Questions and Reflection are the impetus for sustained/growth. 10. Happiness : “Son, I’ve never worked a day in my life.” If your not happy your not effective. You only have one life so why waste it being miserable. The Poor Are Not Us?