Organizational Growth: Reflections And Learnings From Atelier/C On May 28, 2024

This article synthesizes the reflections shared at the May 28, 2024 Atelier/C titled “Organizational Growth: Let’s Talk About Challenges and Learnings”. This workshop brought together 12 Montreal-based organizations and was co-facilitated by Rose-Anne St Paul and Sophie Le-Phat Ho around the experience-sharing of Cassandra Exumé, general coordinator of the Montreal-North-based organization Hoodstock.

As a reminder, Ateliers/C is a program offered by the Centre for Community Organizations (COCo) in collaboration with Centraide of Greater Montreal. It is an annual series of workshops for non-profit organizations in the Greater Montreal area. The idea is to provide a forum for knowledge sharing, exchanging ideas, learning and networking on various topics related to organizational development. Workshops are offered free of charge, in virtual or face-to-face format in Montreal, in English or French. (Find out more about the Ateliers/C program)

The “Organizational Growth: Let’s Talk About Challenges and Learnings” workshop aimed to highlight the often little-known experiences of activist groups that have evolved to non-profit status, as well as organizations that have experienced rapid growth supported by substantial funding. Participants discussed key moments in their organizational history, from their genesis through strategic crossroads to growth crises. Each exchange period began with Cassandra Exumé sharing her experience at Hoodstock, a former collective transformed into a non-profit organization (NPO).

If you’ve made the courageous decision to form or join a collective or community organization, here are some thoughts that might inspire you or fuel your team discussions.

Draw Inspiration From Your Own Story (And That of Others)

Throughout your journey, remind yourself regularly of your initial mission, especially during difficult periods or major transitions. When it’s time to make big decisions, come back to your “why”. Make sure you stay connected to the realities of the field and the people you want to serve. Listening to the success stories of other groups can also rekindle your own passion, strengthen your commitment or save you from pitfalls. Sharing your experiences enriches not only your organization, but also the wider community in which it operates. So don’t hesitate to reach out to others in your area or who share your mission and values.

Prepare Yourself For The Realities Of The Field

After a certain period of commitment, it’s likely that some people will no longer be able to give up so much for free. You’ll want to offer decent compensation to those who share your struggles. This is a key moment for many collectives as they make the transition to NPO status. Certain working conditions and policies can lead to precariousness and exhaustion, especially when workers are directly affected by the systems of oppression they are fighting through the organization’s mission (racism, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, poverty or others). It is therefore important to take these aspects into account right from the start of your organization, particularly when creating work policies and grant applications.

Burnout and overwork are also common realities for organization founders and work teams. It’s crucial to understand that the obstacles you’ll face go beyond your organization. To deal with these systemic issues, stay grounded locally, because that’s often where the most effective solutions are to be found.

Think of programs as co-creations with community members, and as partnerships with other organizations, collectives and community leaders, in order to better respond to real and evolving needs. By organizing regular spaces for dialogue, you’ll also create anchor points in people’s daily lives. In this way, despite external pressures, this local and inclusive approach will help you maintain the organization’s mission over the long term, and keep it alive at the heart of the community.

Be Prepared To Make Crucial Decisions

Along the way, you’ll experience decisive moments that will shape the future of your organization. These moments, sometimes marked by tragic events, may force you to step outside your initial mission to respond to immediate community needs (e.g. the COVID-19 pandemic) or propel you into the spotlight (e.g. the assassination of George Floyd). New funding opportunities, while welcome, often raise difficult questions: will you stay true to your mission and values, or risk straying from them? The dilemma of appearing alongside political figures or government institutions will also arise. Should the organization remain apolitical, and/or choose its alliances carefully to serve its mission? Spontaneous reactions to current events will become rarer, sometimes replaced by more structured processes with a long-term vision. These decisions, far from being trivial, have a direct impact on funding and the sustainability of your mission. Funding, often conditional on continuous expansion, can push you to do more and more, at the risk of losing your initial agility and spontaneity. This could lead to a difference of vision and splits in your team’s approach to activism.

Keep An Eye On Consistency

To address the previous point, it’s important to maintain coherence between your mission, your values and your operations, even if financial demands sometimes push you to scatter. This consistency, while it can create strategic obstacles, is often valued by funders, which can make the team’s work easier and reduce internal tensions. Keep communication channels open within your team and with funders. Don’t be afraid to express your realities, because sometimes you’ll discover unexpected flexibility in some of them.

You should also pay attention to the consistency between your values and your working conditions. If the latter are not aligned, you risk losing key members of your team. Well-thought-out strategic planning, supported if necessary by external consultancy, can be the leverage you need to move forward serenely.

Prepare For The Challenges Of Rapid Growth

Rapid expansion often leads to complex structural dynamics, conflicts of values and emotional overload for teams. As your organization grows, you may need to double or triple your workforce in a short space of time. This rapid growth often reveals dysfunctions requiring adjustment. Conflicts between short-term needs and long-term objectives are inevitable. The proliferation of projects can also lead to emotional fatigue among those involved, and your values, however fundamental they may be, will sometimes be put to the test in the face of the pressure of deliverables. Interpersonal relationships will also be put to the test, and the question “Who takes care of whom?” will become central.

To overcome these challenges, it’s essential to create synergy between the team, management and the board of directors. It’s important to define the boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable, for everyone involved, to ensure the cohesion and resilience of your organization. Developing sustainable HR practices is essential. You could draw inspiration from the practices and reflections of other organizations that share the same challenges and values.

Challenge Perfectionist Beliefs

Eventually, you’ll have to let go of the idea that you have to do everything, and do it perfectly. Simply existing as an organization and having the will to make things happen is already a great victory. Perfection and omnipotence are not the goal; what counts is perseverance and resilience. Once again, don’t hesitate to reach out to other organizations to join forces, share services, or coordinate to offer complementary services to the community. This could have a greater impact and preserve your teams.

In conclusion, the road to collective transformation is punctuated by challenges, compromises and lessons. Every organization, whether small or fast-growing, draws its strength from the consistency of its values and the solidarity of its members. Whether you’re a founder, stakeholder or volunteer, your commitment helps create a more sustainable social fabric. In this quest, it’s essential to remember that perseverance and authenticity are, in themselves, powerful achievements.