Nonprofits Need More Member Democracy
by Nonprofit Management Positions Are Not Always Reflective of Their Members Viewpoints.
The philosophical and operating control of nonprofit organizations needs to originate through a member voting process. I refer specifically to non profits like the AARP, or Sierra, or Greenpeace, or thousands of others. In the case of AARP, the many letters from readers indicate a strong difference of opinion with AARP management regarding many political, economic and civil issues. Charitable and non profits that are membership-founded and driven, even if they collect monies from contributors that are not members, need to be reflective of a democratic process of reflecting member wishes.
This includes affirmation of the mission, and if participation in the political process is considered, a member-approved statement reflecting the policies and viewpoints of the members, with percentages for and against each issue presented for adoption. These percentage viewpoints should be reflected in public statements by the organization so that people and elected representatives know the position of the non profit’s members.
Only a democratic process can justify the adoption of viewpoints and policies, including political contributions, that may have a large impact on the political process of electing national and local representatives to operate our government.
Urge your non profits to adopt a democratic process of affirming on a regular basis the policies and viewpoints of the organization. Allow no managers to spontaneously deviate from the adopted positions without an affirming response from the membership preceding any such action.
Non profits have the advantage of democratically established favoritism in their tax treatment; they should be no less responsive to the will of a democratically directed membership.
Liked it
