…Community action works through organizations.–Rubin and Rubin (2008:91)
The identity of an organization rests on what it wants or its goals. Some organizations seek power and resources others focus on community betterment. In the first part of the chapter you have learned the difference between non-profit and for-profit organizations. In the discussion below, I will use the Mississippi Center for Justice as an example in discussing Chapter 6.
The Mississippi Center for Justice’s overall mission revolves around “…transforming economic and racial justice from a vague concept to a practical reality (MCJ No Date).” In order to accomplish this mission MCJ focuses on issues dealing with
- Exploitation of renters in low-income areas such as the Mississippi Delta.
- Raising parental awareness about educational rights of children
- Making sure that various parties involved in the Katrina recovery effort are being fair to those hurt by the disaster and its response
- Being an advocate for the disadvantaged in terms of lending practices
- Ensuring fair practices in home foreclosures
- Providing service-learning opportunities for students
As you may have noted, MCJ can not meet all these goals alone. In the various issues listed above, the center has teamed up with other organizations and networks such as the South Delta Regional Housing Authority, Mississippi State Conference of NAACP, Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center, and the Center for Responsible Lending. All of these organizations have their own missions—many that coincide with MCJ’s and perhaps some areas where there may be differences.
MCJ is like other 501c3 organizations such as churches in that it is non-partisan and tax-exempt. In terms of governance, the center has a board made up of people from around the nation. Moreover, day-to-day operations involve a staff which includes a president and a number directors, attorneys, and specialists (media, community organizing, etc.). The center’s website is http://www.mscenterforjustice.org/resources.php .
Social change organizations such as MCJ contribute to empowering citizens and communities through various efforts such as outreach, advocacy, and being a watchdog. In the center’s publication “Building a Future of Justice for All” several cases were described in which people learned about the center and sought out its assistance. For these individuals and families, the center was viewed as having the power to help. The center, formed in 2003, also has a continuous presence in the community. Finally, after learning of various inequities within Mississippi, the center has responded quickly to find solutions.
Regarding developing personal capacity, MCJ teaches parents how to negotiate the Mississippi educational system whenever problems arise with their students. The center also provides learning opportunities for other disadvantaged people to learn about their Medicare benefits, rules regarding fair lending, mortgages, etc. MCJ is staffed with experts but also draws on the knowledge and experience of people within other organizations.
Organizational Dysfunction
So far I have discussed the positive side of organizations. However, it is important to note that organizations may run into a number of problems. Some problems result in the organization becoming too bureaucratic. Max Weber noted that rationalization (your textbook refers to this as “formalization”) of society would lead to increasing bureaucratization. The organization becomes more formal. Members and the institution are less able to adapt to change (Veblen’s “Trained incapacity”). There is also the issue that goals, such as those stated above are replaced (mission drift) by those centered more on maintenance of the institution (displaced goals). The organization should also be on the guard against having their values co-opted by those who are providing funds for the institution. In order to combat these risks, all organizations need to continually assess their mission statements with actual practices. Seeking evaluations from people and other organizations will keep the institution true to its mandate.
Does the organization practice what it preaches? This is the point the authors of your textbook are getting at with the concept of preconfiguring. For instance, if the organization has as its mission fostering participatory democracy in the community, is that the practice within the organization? Is this the case for MCJ?
RESOURCES
Alinsky, Saul David. 1989. Rules for Radicals: A Practical Primer for Realistic Radicals. Vintage Books ed. New York: Vintage Books.
Feagin, Joe R., and Hernan Vera. 2008. Liberation Sociology: Second Edition. 2nd ed. Paradigm Publishers.
Mississippi Center for Justice. No Date. “Building a Future of Justice for All.” Mississippi Center for Justice. Jackson, Mississippi.
Obama, Barack. 2007. Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. 1st ed. New York: Crown Publishers.
Rubin, Herbert J., and Irene S. Rubin. 2008. Community Organizing and Development. 4th ed. Needham Heights, Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon
