organization development interventions

Document Sample
organization development interventions Powered By Docstoc
Organizational Development Activities
Type of Project            Typical Tasks                     Tools

Housing Project Planning   Develop project concept           -Project concept outline
                                                             -Sample project
                                                              selection criteria

                           Board orientation to housing      -Roles in housing
                                                             -Types of housing
                                                             -Funding sources

                           Assess organizational readiness   -Capacity checklist
                                                             -Corporate resume

Strategic Planning         Develop plan/conduct process      -Group process
                                                             -Sample plans

Start-up Organizations     Develop mission statement         -Group process

                           Advise on by-law language         -Sample by-laws
                           for CHDOs

Human Resource Issues      Define Board roles and            -Sample Board
                           responsibilities                   responsibilities

                           Define staff roles and

                           Develop recruiting strategies     -Sample Board
                           for Board members                  member application
Organizational Development Activities

Type of Project             Typical Tasks                     Examples of Tools

Organizational Systems      Review workflow and make

                            Develop list of records/files
                            Develop policies and procedures

                            Conduct staff training

Financial Resource Issues   Budgeting                         -Five Step Budget

                            Board role in fund-raising        -Checklist
Housing Project Planning

Housing Project Concept
Project Concept is the basis for the project description in funding applications and
reflects key decisions the organization has made about the project. It may be developed
as part of a strategic planning process or result from work sessions devoted to housing
project identification. The concept continues to be refined during the project feasibility
analysis phase.

Project Concept Outline
Who will the project benefit (e.g. families, adults with developmental disabilities,
seniors with an income less than 30% of the area median)

What income level(s) is(are) the target population (e.g. low income, 30% of the area
median, mixed income population)

How many people will benefit (e.g. 10 families of 4 or more, 3 individuals per home, 5-
10 individuals)

Type of housing (e.g. apartments in a multi-level building, scattered site duplexes, single
family homes)

Tenure of the units (e.g. shelter, transitional, permanent rental, first-time homebuyers,

Size of housing (e.g. 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartments, approximately 750 square feet;
single room occupancy units; community living home)

Other Amenities (e.g. elevator building, centralized laundry facility, play area, covered
parking, accessibility features)

Proposed location of housing (e.g. neighborhood or community name, single site or
scattered site, special designation-enterprise zone, distressed area)

General project timeline (e.g. estimated/desired dates for acquisition, start of
construction or placed in service)

Reason project was selected (e.g. relationship to mission, independent needs assessment
or market analysis)

Role of the organization in the project (e.g. owner, developer, manager)
Housing Project Planning

Approaches to Developing a Concept
Approach #1
Develop goals then projects that further those goals (e.g. Goal: Increase number of
affordable housing units for low income families—Project: Develop 20 units of family
rental housing affordable to families with an income 30% or less of the area median)

Approach #2
Identify shared resource, capacity and need areas within the community (e.g.
Organization has experience providing transitional housing, need for transitional housing
for families with children is documented, local funding priority is families with
children—Project: Develop 5 units of transitional housing for families with children)



Sample Housing Project Selection Criteria

Housing Project Selection Criteria
Does the project:
_____ Relate to the organization’s mission
_____ Improve the target population’s quality of life
_____ Help the organization in terms of public perception
_____ Have the potential to be self-supporting of profit generating
_____ Match the Board and staff experience and skills
_____ Address an urgent or unmet need in the community
_____ Match the organization’s financial resources
_____ Have one or more proposed funding sources

If yes to all these questions, the project is probably a “good fit” for the organization.
Housing Project Planning

Other Housing Project Selection Considerations

Six Reasons Not to Do A Housing Project
    1.    Organizational finances are weak
    2.    Need for project cannot be documented
    3.    Organization feels outside pressure to do the project
    4.    Fear that an opportunity will be lost (land, building, funding)
    5.    Popular project idea with a funding source but not within the organization’s
    6.    Board or staff support is uncertain/minimal

Questions to ask when considering a new housing project
            Is there sufficient demand for this project?
            Are we the best organization in the community to do this project (mission,
               experience, resources)?
            How will this project affect our current projects/services?
            Do we have adequate resources to continue our existing projects and
               services, and take on the new project?
            Should we work with another organization to do this project?
            Are there any potentially negative aspects of this project?

Housing Project Planning

Process to Choose a Project
   1.      Establish a working committee that is comprised of the nonprofit Board
           members and staff, low-income community representatives and housing
           development consultant(s).

   2.     Develop the list of criteria that will be used to select a housing project.

   3.     Review housing needs and opportunities in the community.

   4.     Generate ideas about possible projects.

   5.     Discuss project ideas.

   6.     Prioritize project ideas using criteria.

   7.     Develop selected project idea into a preliminary project concept statement.

   8.     Begin initial project feasibility analysis.
Housing Project Planning

Nonprofit Board Orientation to Housing

Roles in Housing
Owner-Holds title to project, signs all contracts, makes all decisions
Developer-Under contract to owner, provides range of services
Sponsor-Initiates and temporarily owns project
Manager-Management of facility and tenants for the owner

Types of Housing
Shelter-Temporary tenancy, usually less than 60 days
Transitional Housing- Temporary tenancy, often with support services, usually less than
2 years
Permanent Rental Housing-Long term residency, may have support services
Homeownership-Occupant owns or is purchasing housing unit

Scattered Site-Housing is located at several sites
Lease-Purchase-Occupant leases, then purchases unit
Self-Help-Occupant is involved in the development of the housing
Co-Housing-More than one household occupies the unit or portion of the unit
Land Trusts-Housing located on land owned by a trust, may be owner or renter occupied

Funding Sources
       Impact Capital-$50,000 maximum
       Challenge Fund (FHLB)-$10,000 maximum
       Housing Resource Team-consulting services
       Local Public (some areas)-HOME or CDBG funding
       Private-lenders, foundations, donations

      Local-levy funds, HOME, CDBG, ESG
      State-Housing Trust Fund, HOME, CDBG, tax credits, bonds
      Federal-Sections 202/811, USDA, McKinney
      Private-lenders, foundations, donations
Housing Project Planning

Assessing Organizational Readiness

Example of Organizational Readiness Checklists

_____ The organization has filed Articles of Incorporation with the state
_____ The Board of Directors has developed and approved by-laws for the organization
_____ The organization has received 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status from the IRS

_____ The organization has set up an accounting system for tracking activity that is
      monitored regularly by the Board of Directors
_____ The organization has financial records audited annually
_____ The organization produces an annual report of activities that includes an annual
      financial report
_____ The organization has a positive cash flow that guarantees its ongoing financial

_____ There is an active and functioning Board of Directors
_____ The Board members bring a diversity of relevant experience to the organization
_____ The Board has approved of and is supportive of the project
_____ The Board has passed a resolution authorizing the project
_____ The Board is willing to assume the responsibilities of (developer, sponsor, owner,
_____ The organization has staff available to work on the project
_____ The staff have relevant experience and skills needed for the project
Housing Project Planning

Assessing Organizational Readiness

Example of Organizational Capacity Assessment Checklist
This checklist asks questions about the capacity, character and creditworthiness of the
organization and could be used in preparing a corporate resume.

Financial Strength
Do you have an annual budget, approved and monitored by the Board which includes all
program and management expenses, and all sources and uses of funds?

Does your organization prepare monthly financial statements that compare revenues and
expenses to the approved budget?

Does your organization follow standard accounting practices?

Is an audit or independent review of your organization’s financial condition conducted

Is a written statement of your organization’s financial position available to potential
funding sources?

Can you identify which programs/projects are running at a surplus? Or loss? And why?

Can you identify your primary funding sources? Are they secure for the next year?

Do you have a multi-year funding plan?

Do you differentiate between restricted and unrestricted income?

Are you running a deficit? If yes, do you have a plan to eliminate it with 1 year?

Do you have a surplus? If yes, is it unrestricted? Is it repeatable?

Do you receive more than 30% of your funding from any 1 source? If yes, is it
unrestricted? Is it renewable?

Do you have a 3-6 month operating reserve?
Housing Project Planning

Assessing Organizational Readiness

Example of Organizational Capacity Assessment Checklist (continued)

Are you current on all loans?

Do you have any “balloon” or lump sum payments dues within the next 3 years?

Do you have a cost allocation plan (if needed)?

Are all grants and contracts reviewed by appropriate staff periodically to assure
compliance with terms and conditions?

Do you have insurance policies for all staff, activities, equipment and facilities?

Are you currently a party to any lawsuits or other legal action?

Is there a current written inventory of all furniture, fixtures and equipment?
Is there a procedure for safeguarding files (documents), including computer files?

Human Resources
Do you have an adequate number of active Board members?

Do you have Board members recognized as leaders in the community?

Does the Board participate in fund-raising?

Do you have adequate staff capacity to implement current and proposed

Do staff have relevant experience and skills for the proposed programs/projects?

Is there adequate staff leadership to implement Board goals and objectives?

Are personnel policies, including job descriptions in place?
Housing Project Planning

Assessing Organizational Readiness

Example of Organizational Capacity Assessment Checklist (continued)

Organizational Credibility
Do you have documented evidence of community support?
 Community leaders on the Board
 Financial/in-kind contributions from individuals and businesses
 Large number of people accessing programs/projects
 Recognition by media, government, peer organizations
 Satisfied clients

Have you documented program/project successes?
 Documented results of programs/projects
 Continuity in providing programs/projects

Is there evidence of good organizational health?
 Financially stable
 Diverse array of donations/funding
 Qualified Board and staff
 Continued demand for organization’s services
 Collaboration/cooperation with peers
Strategic Planning
Resource Person-Provider of technical information to the process
Technician-Collects, processes and analyzes information
Consultant-Helps organization to evaluate information and think through alternatives
Facilitator-Helps organization stay “on-track” through the steps of the planning process
Catalyst-Presents information and ideas

Strategic Planning Steps
      Decide the planning process to be used (task force/committee, public meetings,
      Review/revision of mission, values and vision of the organization
      Analysis of the community and market the organization operates in
      Analysis of the structure, leadership, resources and services of the organization
      Development of goals, objectives and strategies that build on organization’s
       strengths and are responsive to the community/market

Guide for Analyzing an Organization’s Strengths/Weaknesses (Assets/Liabilities)

Review of organization’s housing program/project experience
 What roles do they have experience in (owner, developer, manager, sponsor)?
 What types of housing do they have experience with (single-family, multi-family,
   new construction, rehabilitation, shelter, transitional, self-help)?
 What public funding sources have they received funding from?
 What are staff areas of expertise?

Review of organization’s program/project strengths
 Are the Board and/or staff experienced in the program/project?
 Is there a waiting list for services/programs?
 Have comments received from program/project participants generally been positive?
 Are program/project policies and procedures in place?
 Is there a positive relationship with previous and current funding sources?
 Does the organization have financial resources available to invest in a
 Has the organization built relationships with potential partners?
Strategic Planning


Review of organization’s capacity
 Does the organization have a clear and appropriate mission?
 Does the organization have good internal communication systems and flow of
 Does the organization have an effective decision-making process?
 Does the organization have adequate reserves, diversified and stable funding, and
   internal financial controls?

Assessment of public/community perception
 Is the organization strongly associated with a particular client group, service or
 Does the organization generally receive positive media coverage?
 Is the organization well known among people that do not receive its services?

Assessment of demand for services/project
 Is there independent documentation that the need for the service/project exists?
 Is there a waiting list for the service/project?
 Are there referral sources that are willing to make appropriate referrals?
 Are resources available for marketing the service/project?
Strategic Planning

Factors to consider in analyzing community and market conditions
Political -public funding for housing, land use, building and tax policies
Economic -local housing market conditions, demographic changes and availability and
cost of private financing
Social -competition and partnerships between local nonprofit organizations,
neighborhood concerns and relationship to local for profit businesses

Common Methods for Analyzing Housing Data
      Housing needs include the adequacy of the housing stock, the availability of
       housing and the affordability of housing in the community.
      Needs are often described by how many people are affected, how severely they
       are affected and whether the need is new (emerging) or long-term.

Housing needs are usually analyzed using these methods:
Range (e.g. Low and high rents or sale price)
Trends (e.g. Change over time in number of units or type of unit, rate of change in
Deviations from norm (e.g. Number of households with an income below 80% of area
Distributions (e.g. Number of housing units more than 20 years old)
Discrepancies (e.g. Inconsistencies in data; rate of population increase greater than rate
of housing unit production)
Correlations (e.g. Relationship between different data categories; age of housing and
condition are closely related, high percentage of low income households are renters)
Average and median (e.g. home sale prices, rents)
Index (e.g. comparison to a standard; first-time homebuyer affordability index, cost of
living index)
Comparison (e.g. Relative rank of data for 2 or more areas; compare local median
income to state median income)
Strategic Planning

Group Process Techniques

Tools for developing goals, objectives, strategies

Visioning (thinking about possibilities)
 What would you like to have people say about your organization 5 years from now?
 If your organization were to receive an award next year, what would it be for?
 List 5 words that describe what your ideal housing project would be like.

Brainstorming (generating ideas on specified subjects)
 Agree on rules at the start
 Focus the subject area and have a time limit to generate ideas
 Write down all of the ideas-no discussion on ideas until time limit is up
 After time limit is up, organize ideas into groupings (ask for
 Then discuss ideas within a grouping
Examples of questions:
 What has (has not) worked well in your organization’s programs/projects?
 What are the most urgent housing needs in the community?

General tips on working with groups
   Determine what you want the group to know and do as a result of the work session
    and plan activities that support that outcome
   Consider what you need to do to motivate (e.g. meeting room, rules, timing, planned
    activities, supplies)) the group to achieve the desired work session outcome
   Organize your information so it is easy to follow (e.g. key/supporting points, steps in
    a process, persuasive arguments)
   Present information orally and in writing, using a variety of formats (e.g. examples,
    question/answer, discussion)
Strategic Planning

Theories of Organizational Development

Life Cycle of a Nonprofit Organization

Phase1-Getting Started
Founder’s vision, create an organization, usually consensus for of leadership and equal
sharing of power

Phase 2-Starting to Get Work Done
Board members plan activities, act as staff, begin fund-raising and hiring staff, a more
formal decision-making process evolves and the number of Board members may increase

Phase 3-Being a Stable Organization with High Performance
Board serves as a governing body, staff perform the day-to-day activities of the
organization, the Board sets policy and actively raises funds for the organization

Stages of Group Behavior

Forming Stage-new group, members getting to know each other and work with other for
the first time, roles are established, processes developed

Storming Stage-conflicts occur over how things are done, priorities, who is in charge

Norming Stage-conflicts are resolved, procedures and roles are formalized

Performing Stage-group conducts business, provides services, ideal stage for planning

Reforming Stage-group actively evaluates performance and initiates change

Start-up Organizations

Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
    The Articles of Incorporation define the nonprofit organization and provide its
       foundation (mission and purpose).
    The by-laws provide more detail about how the organization operates as a
       nonprofit corporation.
    Sample by-laws for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs)
       are available in the Common Ground library.

Some of decisions to be made in developing by-laws include:

Goals and Purpose
   What are the goals and purpose of the corporation?

   Will there be members? What are the requirements, rights and powers of
   How are members selected and removed? How do they resign?
   How do people apply to become members?
   Do they pay dues?
   Are there meetings?

    What are the powers of the Board?
    How many directors?
    How long will they serve?
    How are they nominated and elected?
    How are resignations/removals handled?
    How are vacancies filled?
    How often are Board meetings held?
    Who can call meetings and how are Board members notified?
    What constitutes a quorum?
    What is the policy on voting on Board issues?
    Under what circumstances and with what provisions can the Board act without a
    Are the Directors compensated for expenses incurred in the performance of their

Start-up Organizations


   How are committees created?
   What is the responsibility of the Executive Committee? Who serves on it?
   What other standing committees area there? How are people selected to serve on
   What are the specific duties of these committees? How are meeting notices
   Who is responsible for filling vacancies on the committees?
   What constitutes a quorum?
   What is the policy on voting?

    How many offices are there? What are their titles and duties?
    How are they elected?
    How long do they serve?
    How do they resign? How are they removed?
    How are vacancies handled?

Executive Director (if applicable)
    How is this person selected?
    What the duties and responsibilities?
    Who manages, supervises and evaluates the Executive Director?

Financial Management
    Where and how are deposits made?
    Who is authorized to sign checks?
    Who is authorized to borrow?
    How are financial decisions made?
    Who signs contracts?
    When does the fiscal year begin and end?
    How and where are the records of the organization kept?

Start-up Organizations


Other Provisions
    What is the organization’s policy on conflict of interest?
    What is the corporation policy on indemnification?
    What insurance will the corporation have for Directors and Officers?
    What is the corporation’s policy on nondiscrimination?
    How are the by-laws amended?

Start-up Organizations

Incorporation Checklist

Completed    List of Tasks
_____        Order materials from Secretary of State
_____        Choose a corporate name
_____        Check name availability
_____        Reserve corporate name
_____        Perform a name search
_____        Protect corporate name
_____        Prepare Articles of Incorporation
_____        File Articles of Incorporation
_____        Prepare by-laws
_____        Prepare membership provisions
_____        Prepare and file federal tax exemption application
_____        Prepare and file state tax exemption application
_____        Set up corporate records book
_____        Prepare minutes of first meeting of Board
_____        File assumed business name statement
_____        Apply for nonprofit mailing permit
_____        Apply for property tax exemption (if applicable)
_____        File corporate report form
_____        Register with Attorney General
_____        Comply with political reporting requirements (if applicable)
Human Resource Issues

Nonprofit Boards

Duty of Care-act reasonably when making a decision as a steward of the organization
Duty of Loyalty-act in the best interests of the organization, not for personal gain
Duty of Obedience-actions must be consistent with the mission of the organization

   Determine the organization’s mission and purpose
   Select the chief executive
   Support the chief executive and support his/her performance
   Ensure effective organizational planning
   Ensure adequate resources
   Manage resources effectively
   Determine, monitor and strengthen the organization’s programs and services
   Enhance the organization’s public image
   Ensure legal and ethical behavior and maintain accountability
   Recruit and orient new Board members
   Assess Board performance

    Attend all Board and committee meetings, and special events
    Stay informed about the organization and its programs
    Review the agenda and supporting materials before the meeting
    Serve on at least 1 committee and/or take on at least 1 assignment
    Make a financial contribution to the organization
    Tell others about the organization and its programs
    Suggest nominees for vacant positions on the board
    Follow Board conflict of interest and confidentiality rules
    Refrain from making special request of staff
Human Resource Issues

Nonprofit Boards

Board Checklist
_____ Holds regular meetings
_____ Quorum attends each meeting
_____ Minutes of the meetings are prepared
_____ Conducts nominations and elections according to by-laws
_____ Establishes personnel policy
_____ Reviews by-laws and tax exemption papers periodically
_____ Adopts annual budget
_____ Reviews financial statements periodically
_____ Reviews audit
_____ Reviews insurance policies and contracts
_____ Understands IRS and nonprofit reporting requirements
Human Resource Issues

Nonprofit Boards

                      Application for Board Membership
     Name: _________________________________________
     Home Address, Phone, E-mail:
     Business Address, Phone, E-mail:
     Occupation & Title:
     Organizations & Affiliations:
     What are your current interests in this organization?

     What relevant skills and experience do you have?

     Are you willing to participate in fund-raising? Make a
     financial contribution?

     Date: ___________________________________________
Financial Resource Issues

Budgeting Tips
    Start at least 3 months prior to the beginning of the fiscal year
    Be realistic in projecting fund-raising outcomes
    Look at past trends to estimate future needs
    Provide justification for any major changes in revenue or expense projections
    Check the adopted budget and actual expenses and revenues during the year (at
      least mid-year) and make adjustments, if needed
    Use the budget as a decision-making tool throughout the year

Is the Board ready to conduct a fund-raising effort?
      All Board positions are filled
      Board has strong leadership
      Board members regularly attend meetings
      Board members regularly complete tasks/assignments
      Board members have made a personal donation
      There is staff support for the Board’s efforts
Other Resources

Useful websites for organizational development information

Rural Assistance Council (focus on rural areas, small cities, USDA eligible areas)
Grantwriting tips
Overview of housing development process
Strategic planning

American Planning Association
Strategic planning with a community focus

National Center for Nonprofit Boards
Board and staff role, responsibilities
Financial management
Conflict of interest policies
Selecting consulting services

Strategic planning (market approach)

Delaware Association of Nonprofit Agencies
Financial management

Gill Foundation

Grantwriting tips

Shared By: