Environmental advocacy is a remarkably diverse area. It encompasses both protecting the public from environmental hazards and shielding the resources of nature. As successes have been garnered at the local, state and national level, there is a growing understanding in the field that further successes will be contingent on developing the same professional skills as private and government organizations that encapsulate best managerial practices.
When it comes to successfully founding an environmental advocacy organization you might find some good advice in the literature. Yet the ongoing running of such advocacy groups is another matter. Thus many environmental advocacy groups struggle to effectively manage. This article reviews several insights from the field.
Collaborate with other environmental advocacy groups
The State of New York alone has over 400 environmental advocacy organizations listed by the Environmental Conservation Department of Environmental Conservation. And in the last five years, there has been increasing levels of coordination between geographically diverse environmental advocacy groups.
One underlying reason for this trend has been reduced flight travel costs a trend that may now be reversing with skyrocketing fuel costs. Another driver is the availability of
free conference calling services like Rondee.
All of these services work on the same central principle: they provide you a personal access number and a toll number to dial. If all users dial the same number and enter the same code, they are put into the call together.
Involve academic professionals
A frequent misconception is that campus curricula is too far removed from the realities of environmental politics to be meaningful. However, programs such as that offered by New England School of Law provide graduate level training in environmental advocacy as wells as organizing. Indeed, such programs train students for careers as advocates and community organizers.
Students at these programs are excellent candidates to be inspired as volunteers or leaders for your organization. Also consider seeking the participation of a faculty or staff member who can offer perspective and advice to your group. While students arrive and depart as the years go by; faculty generally remain.
Stay well focused
The most effective environmental groups are ones that stay tightly focused on their mission and do not get sidetracked by peripheral goals. Virtually all environmental advocacy groups operate under significant time constraints. Committing to three goals with 100% effort will generally yield superior results compared to tackling nine goals at one third effort.
Augment your network
The most successful advocacy groups create networks of supporters who share their philosophy and mission. While the term networking frequently gets a bad reputation, the fact is that these networks can provide substantial support and members can stay connected more effectively through
conference calling solutions. Indeed, these networks provide the psychological support which is so vital to sustaining enthusiasm amongst group officers and members.
Use technology strategically
Some environmental advocacy groups have distributed leadership teams, and it is impractical to have face-to-face meetings. One solution is to use an application for desktop sharing.
Whether it's sharing a PowerPoint document illustrating the group's fundraising initiatives or a spreadsheet showing the tracking of performance, desktop sharing can be extremely useful for not a few advocacy groups.
The silver lining is that these suggestions are not expensive. Environmental advocacy groups can improve their performance through these ideas.
