National Environmental Education Advancement Project
What is the purpose of the OAT? The OAT was written to promote learning and growth within environmental education (EE) organizations. The OAT is a self-assessment tool which can be used by the leadership of EE organizations to increase organizational effectiveness. It is a one-stop organizational assessment resource, intended to provide EE leaders with a tool to comprehensively review the major aspects of internal organizational development. The OAT also serves as an educational tool for individual organizational leaders and members. Who can use the OAT? The OAT was designed specifically to assist EE practitioners and supporters in their efforts to build local, state, and national capacity for EE. It was designed to address the needs of EE professionals and EE organizations. However, much of the information may also be applicable in non-EE leadership settings. How can the OAT help individuals and organizations? Assessment is a necessary and ongoing part of organizational development. It provides an organization the opportunity to identify aspects which help or hinder the accomplishment of its mission and goals. Using the OAT will help identify areas of professional development and organizational leadership that, if incorporated, should increase an organization's sustainability and ability to build capacity for EE. Information in the OAT should also enhance individual leadership in the EE field and beyond. What is in the OAT? A wealth of information exists on organizational development and assessment. The OAT distills this information and applies it directly to the unique and diverse needs of the EE field. The OAT attempts to present the most widely used and most current information available on organizational development in an easy to understand, easy to use workbook format. It was designed to be used in part or whole, whenever an individual or organization feels self-examination is needed. The OAT addresses leadership throughout all major areas and concludes by identifying significant leadership attributes. The OAT is divided into six major areas of organizational development:
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Definition/Description of Area