Guest Post: Carol Blattau, Mariner Management
We all know that our chapters do a lot of stuff, but is what they are doing effective? Are they moving the mission through their efforts or are they just checking all the boxes to satisfy the organizational metrics?
Here’s a story about one association that found the secret to counting what counts.
Background: The Maryland Recycling Network is a local state group of recycling professionals and citizens whose mission is to promote the sustainable reduction, reuse and recycling (the 3Rs) in Maryland. Their vision is that materials otherwise destined for disposal in Maryland are reused or recycling. Very focused goals.
MRN is on the right track. They know the “why” of their organization. They also understand that MRN members are very passionate about these goals, so the question now is where should they focus their efforts: around organizational or mission metrics or both? Sure, both are important, but why have an association if you aren’t serving the mission and members first?
For MRN, the answer was to focus first on the mission, then organizational metrics.
