Volunteer Your Time Wisely

Originally posted on Thoughts On Quotes

"The trouble with organizing a thing is that pretty soon folks get to paying more attention to the organization than to what they're organized for." -Laura Ingalls Wilder, American Author, Laura Ingalls Wilder books//

There are many types of organizations, and all of them were undoubtedly formed with the intention of accomplishing something good for their members, society or the community. Once the organization is formed, though, there is a certain amount of work that is necessary to keep it functioning properly. At times, as Wilder points out, the organization itself becomes the primary focus of its members, rather than the goals or objectives that were originally hoped for. Many times, in volunteer organizations, this happens because it's difficult to get people to commit to doing the monotonous work of keeping things going in between major events. Other times, organizations become victims of bureaucracy building, and as such, they must gather together an enormous amount of resources just to stay afloat, let alone fund their strategic initiatives. There are a few organizations, though, that find a way to achieve their goals, as well as build an effective infrastructure. So, what are the difference makers between these scenarios? In my experience, it's leadership and vision. Organizations that are able to attract great leaders are much more likely to attract and retain other talented members, volunteers or employees. Combine this with a clear vision of what success looks like along with a specific plan to get there, and you have a recipe for success. Many people feel the need to be involved in some kind of organization, in order to feel like they belong or are making a positive contribution to society. It's important to seek out organizations whose cause you believe in, but it is equally important to seek out organizations that are operating effectively with clear goals and good leadership. If you're part of something that feels like Wilder described, you may want to get out now - your time is valuable and limited, so be sure to invest it wisely. Good organizations do exist, and they need people like you to get involved with them.