The following post is the personal opinion of the author and not to be implied as an organizational statement:
For those of you who are unaware, your Assn Exec is pursuing her PHD in what else? Organization Management & Leadership. I have always been so proud of OKCMAR that it is a member-driven organization, not because it is the best form, all three forms are valid models, but because this form allows the individual participant to feel that he/she can make a difference. Yet, I am often asked, "What does member-driven mean?"
A Member- Driven Organization
This type of organization is participative. The body is the creator of programs, products and services and the body determines how the organization will perform both internally and externally. The leadership seeks to give guidance through a set of directives; typically a strategic plan. Power is vested in the body. The Assn Exec best suited for this type of organization is one that possesses the skills of negotiation and body mobilization. In the literature I have read for my PHD this type of leader is typically creative, imaginative, relational (fancy word for likes to work with people) and/or charismatic.
A Leadership-Driven Organization
This type of organization is non-participative. The body is viewed as the end-user of products and services. The leadership determines how the organization wil perform both internally and externally. Power is vested in a small group and a strategic plan is developed to produce profit. This is the most common organizational structure and is typical of most US corporations. The Assn Exec best suited for this type of organization is that of the Executive Secretary. The Assn Exec should possess excellent administration and organizational skills. The type of leader is very rules and procedures driven and typically seeks to maximize profit and in the non-profit world; efficiency.
A Staff-Driven Organization
This type of organization is non-participative. The body is viewed as the end-user of products and services. The staff determines how the organization wil perform both internally and externally. Power is vested in the staff, typically the strategic plan is developed by an entity outside of the organization and the emphasis is on process (or so I am learning in my studies). The Assn Exec best suited for this type of organization is entreprenuerial and strategic. This type of leader is very goal centered and seeks to bring service and value to the body.
All three models have their merits and disadvantages. Maybe I am biased because my grandpa was the very first town chairman of the town I grew up in. He valued democracy highly and with the deference to the body, in my opinion, a member-driven organization most closely mirrors democracy. It has been my greatest honor to serve all of you. The members of OKCMAR are very special in my mind; perhaps because of the spirit of creation of this state. Oklahomans created their state through the land run. Oklahomans found a means to work with the first nation rather than oppress it and we see that today in the excellent relationship the state has with our tribal nations. Oklahomans are rugged- they stand in the face of adversity, not worn down by the constant wind but finely honed by it. Oklahomans, are frankly, pretty amazing and it shows in our organization.
2 comments:
I congratulate One Woman on getting her PHD, however I feel that in the last several years OHCMAR/MLS has gone from Member-driven to a leder-driven org, examp:less & less involment of members,no more brokers 1/4lys,Educa meetings cancelled, is apathy abounding?? just from One Man !!
Thank you for the support in school its really hard. I think to remain member-driven it takes a lot of effort on the part of leadership, it is very easy to fall into the leadership driven model. I think our board works really hard at staying member-driven. I think members are still participating at the same rate- our last two luncheons had great numbers.
We do have brokers quarterly meetings but have tailored them to business model (part of the strat plan) so they are not large meetings but small intimate ones where similar business models meet with each other and the OKCMAR President and I (CEO). For example our last meeting was large franchise brokers- the one before that indepents with less than 5 associates. They all have different needs.
I too get frustrated when meetings are cancelled but we also need to make sure that we are making the most of the member's time. I think a chair is doing a good job if they cancel a meeting when there is nothing to meet about but should also ensure that they are meeting enough to be effective. Always a difficult balance. Thanks for participating in the blog. We always need to hear from the most amount of members as possible!
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