This is the continuation to http://www.progressiveu.org/170649-participatory-democracy-non-profit-organization-part-i
I plan for the organization's specific goals to be as thus:
1.To raise funds to enable people to volunteer abroad.
2.To provide helpful information about volunteering abroad.
3.To raise awareness of important causes that need volunteers.
4.To encourage overall activism and volunteer work for the furthering of human rights and welfare.
There are two areas in which participatory democracy will work to help the organization's goals: in garnering funds and public interest, and in building a strong sense of community and personal involvement within the organization itself. The principles of participatory democracy overlap in each area.
1. Garnering funds and public interest
Unlike representative democracy, where typically most members do not participate directly in decision-making but only cast a vote for a representative, participatory democracy encourages all members to take initiative and become involved. In my opinion, this is a huge advantage when it comes to garnering funds for and gaining public interest in a non-profit organization, because it means each individual member can each out to a huge network of people.
A member whose leadership is encouraged might, for instance, start a fund raising benefit in his school. Or, a member might simply take initiative and create fliers to post around her neighborhood. Another might speak to a local business owner who in turn will decide to donate funds to the organization, and so on. By reaching out to the "common" people, the average citizen, and encouraging each of them to take initiative and take action, I can reach a far larger network of potential members and funders.
Once an organization experiences some success in gaining members, its main source for funding often becomes those members. Encouraging personal involvement in activity and decision-making will in turn make members feel like they, personally, have something at stake with each action, will make them more passionate and more eager to donate both time and money.
2. Building a strong sense of community and personal involvement
For an organization to both succeed in starting and succeed in lasting, it must have a strong internal sense of community, of working together for the same cause. Members also must feel they are personally involves in all aspects of the organization.
When an organization first starts out, its members must have a great deal of self-motivation and perseverance in order to just get off the ground. Countless organizations have failed simply because their organizers lacked the motivation to do the work necessary to get it started. In order for one to succeed, its members must have a strong sense of community and unity in working towards a common goal they are all passionate about - otherwise, the organization will quickly collapse.
Later, once an organization has become more successful and has a good number of member, it must still retain its sense of community and the personal involvement of each member. Many organizations - some based off the principles of participatory democracy, some not - collapsed as members lost their sense of purpose, and new members felt alienated and unwelcome.
Encouraging each member's personal involvement, initiative, and leadership skills, can greatly benefit an organization. Each member brings with him/herself a variety of skills and resources in different areas. If each individual worked to his or her greatest ability, with passion and motivation, a huge amount could be done in quite a short time.
A member who might, in a system of representative democracy, end up unheard, may end up making a brilliant suggestion to improve the organization or gain more funds. Another member might donate his mediative skills to the organization's meetings to help everyone come to consensus. A strict policy of equality and individual development will help newcomers feel welcome and important.
That, in the end, is why I believe participatory democracy is the right method of organization for my planned non-profit. Participatory democracy sees each individual as equal and deserving to be heard and make decisions, and encourages each individual to develop their leadership skills to make great changes. And that, after all, is the principle behind every type of volunteering and thus, behind my own planned organization: that one person can make a difference.
Source: Polletta, Francesca. Freedom is an Endless Meeting.
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