What is the value of your organization to the community? If you think about the question, most often executive directors will recite a need, a statistic, or some issue that their organization addresses. Is that the actual value to the community?
When thinking about value to the community, organizations tend to focus singularly on the stats and the immediate community need. In reality, an organization’s work encompasses much more than that. Think for a minute about an urban beautification organization. Their work to preserve the environment or protect its natural resources within an urban area has a bigger effect in the community than one would think. The community has viable places to live that offer residents unique settings to be active and work. Residents have an opportunity to work together for a common cause creating a unique social and societel benefit to the community. More importantly, the organization is increasing the awareness and importance of urban beautification. Very different than saying 30% of the pollution in the city is from its residents and we aim to correct that.
So when thinking about value-consider what it is about your organization that is valuable to the community. Go beyond the stats and write down potential value you add to the people you serve and the community you reside.
So, what is the value your organization plays in the community-better yet-how are you communicating it and helping others understand its importance-that is for next time!
