KrasnePlows

The Opportunity - and the Challenge:

A major funder wanted to help a longstanding, respected national good governance organization put its house in order so it could have greater impact during the upcoming election cycle.
New players had entered the marketplace, drawing away funders and attracting new, younger members.
Friction between the national office and its many affiliates, typical in these kinds of organizations, distracted leadership.
Many board members, representing the organization’s varied constituencies, were passive and disengaged.
The executive resigned just as the project began, creating a leadership vacuum.

The Expertise - KrasnePlows:

Performed an organizational assessment as part of consultant team, focusing on leadership, governance, organizational structure and finance issues
Conducted Interviews, surveys, focus groups for board, staff (national & local), and other key stakeholders, to identify program, communications and leadership concerns and opportunities
Assessed the agency’s financial condition and opportunities to increase funding, reduce costs, and improve efficiency

THE RESULT:

A board that stepped up to address key issues of dysfunction:

Replaced the board chair and strengthened the executive committee
Designated a board member to oversee and guide the interim ED
Formed a committee to select the next executive director, ultimately choosing an experienced, respected, and skilled board member who was willing to step into the role

A new leader who re-energized the organization by:

Strengthening its fund development capability,
Improving and increasing communications internally, with the board, and externally
Restructuring, clarifying and improving the working relationship between head office and the local affiliates
Positioned the organization to have impact in 2008 election, a key goal

"Their reports and analysis helped the Board make some really major changes in the organization."

- President