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Effective Management Practices in Community Service Organizations

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Community service organizations are essential for the strength and liveliness of our communities. Not only do they enrich the quality of life of several citizens, but they also exemplify the highest societal values that should be extended to all citizens. In the current ever-changing environment caused by shrinking resources, increased competition for funding and skilled staff, and demands for accountability, organizations are being forced to look at new and creative ways to influence the work environment so that they can effectively deliver services Trautmann, Maher, & Motley, 2007). In doing so, it is imperative that they utilize sound management practices in order to ensure ongoing success and a continued provision of services. The …show more content…

To help ensure that they work together to achieve the organization’s mission, the board of directors and executive director should develop a collaborative partnership in which each understands the distinctions between board governance and executive management, as well as the various roles and responsibilities of each: Failure to do so can result in the manipulation of the board of directors on the part of the executive director, as well as the micromanagement of the executive director on the part of the board (Brody, 2005).
Organizational Planning Mission and vision. The goals of an organization are often made apparent through their mission statements and vision statements, which are linked to the values of the organization and its vision for the future (Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, 2005; Villinger, 2009). Covey (1991) states that the purpose of the mission statement “attempts to encompass…the core values of the organization; it creates a context that gives meaning, direction, and coherence to everything else (p. 295). In order that they may be functional, mission statements should be short so that they can be memorized, and yet complete enough that they will direct the goals of the organization and cover all aspects of the organization’s responsibilities

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