Benefits of Community Management

So why is it, if so many things can go wrong, that I still have an enthusiasm for this form of governance in the not-for-profit community services sector?

“Optimism is a psychological disorder exhibited by those out of touch with reality”
– (Oliver) Pell

I am not Polyanna! This optimism is borne of long experience during which I have experienced the enormous benefits of this model and I will illustrate this as a manager in relation to the Board of my organization.

The Housing Connection is a small to medium sized innovative disability service which was founded as a result of social action on the part of a group of parents and other committed citizens – prior to the Richmond Report. They were visionary in that, even in the early days, they conceived of individually tailored, community based support in which people with significant intellectual disability could live rich and fulfilling lives as independently as possible in the community. This community development model has been maintained and those we support are surrounded by a rich network of people who form part of the fabric of their lives. This ensures a great deal of informal support through social activities that is unpaid. This network of people includes Board members. Today, however, the Board composition and operations is very different from those beginnings. Very few of the Board members are personally involved in the issue of disability such as parents. Instead, most are citizens with relevant expertise who have a desire to give back to the community of which they are part.

Some of the benefits I have experienced from working with a Board that is so much part of the organization include:

1. The passion and commitment of Board members for those we serve and the organization and its wellbeing. This has been demonstrated by their willingness to support management in the face of a number of challenges – including difficulties with government departments, providing extra support for clients and endorsing action to gain better wages in our sector etc. because they know that the most important issues is the quality of outcomes for those we support. Despite the challenges the sector faces in the context of a funder/provider relationship with funding bodies this Board has stood its ground and been willing to challenge decisions not in the interests of those we serve. We have therefore been able to remain true to our values of focusing on the needs of individuals and being responsive and innovative in response to those needs.
2. Their willingness to put in extraordinary amounts of time in ensuring that the organization thrives. Every single Board member has a role that goes beyond simply turning up for Board meetings. This can include assisting in financial strategy; overseeing building development and support with fundraising.
3. Access to a range of skills and expertise that would be both difficult to come by and very expensive in other circumstances.
4. As a result, it is very cost effective.
5. Genuine support for the senior members of the management team.
6. A process of checks and balances on the work of the staff – both in terms of organizational issues and service delivery. This provides a mechanism for quality assistance at various levels of the organization.
7. Community management can provide an opportunity for citizens to develop skills. There are many instances in which voluntary Board members have been able to develop their capacities and from there move onto employment. In our sector, people with an intellectual disability have learned new skills which has given them confidence to move onto other speaking and representative roles. One of our client Board representatives gave a paper at the National Disability Conference earlier this year.
8. The building of social capital in which enables the development of greater investment in the community and its citizens. Board members (as well as ex-staff) rarely leave The Housing Connection – they just remain as part of our community and continue to contribute in other ways.

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Related posts:

1. The Dark Side of Community Management
2. The Future of Community Management: NGO Perspectives – A Practitioner’s View