Critical tips to increase the performance of your environmen

by ing group by MINDY C

Environmental advocacy is a remarkably diverse field. It involves both safeguarding the public from environmental harms and protecting the resources of nature. As successes have been garnered at the local, state and federal level, there is a growing understanding in the field that further gains will be contingent on developing the same professional skills as private and government organizations that typify best managerial practices.

When it comes to successfully launching an environmental lobbying group you might find some good advice in the literature. Yet the ongoing actual management of such advocacy groups is another matter. That is why many environmental lobbying groups struggle to effectively manage. This article reviews several insights from the field.

Collaborate with other environmental lobbying organizations

The State of New York alone has over 400 environmental advocacy groups listed by the Environmental Conservation Department of Environmental Conservation. And in the last few years, there has been increasing levels of collaboration between geographically diverse environmental lobbying groups.

One underlying reason for this trend has been lower air travel costs �C a trend that may now be reversing with skyrocketing fuel prices. Another cause is the availability of free conference calling services like Rondee.

All of these services work on the same central principle: they give you a PIN and a toll number to dial. If all users dial the same toll number and enter the same PIN code, they are put into the call together.

Involve academic experts

A frequent erroneous conception is that academic curricula is too far removed from the realities of environmental politics to be meaningful. However, programs such as that offered by New England School of Law provide graduate level training in environmental advocacy as wells as organizing. Indeed, they train students for careers as advocates and grassroots organizers.

Students at these programs are excellent candidates to be inspired as volunteers or leaders for your group. Also consider seeking the involvement of a faculty or staff member who can provide perspective and advice to your group. While students arrive and depart as the years pass by; faculty generally remain.

Keep tightly focused

The most effective environmental organizations are ones that stay clearly focused on their mission and do not get sidetracked by peripheral goals. Virtually all environmental lobbying organizations operate under significant time limitations. Focusing on three goals with total effort will generally yield superior results compared to tackling nine goals at 33% effort.

Augment your network

The most successful lobbying organizations create networks of supporters who share their values and goals. While the term networking frequently gets a negative reputation, the simple fact is these networks can provide substantial support and members can stay in touch more effectively through conference calling services. Indeed, associations provide the emotional support which is so critical to maintaining enthusiasm amongst group officers and members.

Use technology strategically

Some environmental advocacy groups have distributed leadership teams, and it is difficult to have in person meetings. One solution is to use an application to allow desktop sharing

Whether it's sharing a PowerPoint document showing the group's fundraising initiatives or a spreadsheet showing the tracking of performance, desktop sharing can be extremely useful for not a few advocacy groups.

The silver lining in all this is that these strategies are not expensive. Environmental advocacy groups can improve their performance through these tips.

---------- Mindy Carpenter has opined at great length on issues of interest to environmental lobbying organizations. Mindy has helped develop Rondee.com's free conference call service.