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​​ ​Internal Functions

Organizational capacity primarily concerns the inner workings of a group. Researchers and other writers have long explored the question of what makes a good group tick. For our purposes, we have identified five practices that build off of membership capacity and help groups accomplish more through getting volunteers (and occasionally staff) to work together. These include:

Policies: Efforts are made to record, follow, discuss and improve how the organization conducts all of its business (financial, volunteer / staff management, public relations, etc.).   

Defined Roles: Volunteer and / or staff roles are clearly defined within the organization, including clear expectations for leadership and a timeline setting the commitment for different tasks.

Conflict Management: There is a known set of actions that addresses what steps will be taken to resolve disputes if there is a conflict of interest or disagreement between members of the organization.  

Media Management / Outreach: A communication plan is in place that designates spokespersons for the organization and a plan for regularly updating local media about efforts of the organization.

Access to Advisors: A group of technical experts, community leaders, and others who can speak to water management issues are identified and have agreed to be available to support the organization.  

One way organizations often look to assess and build their organizational capacity is through strategic planning. A good strategic plan will summarize (among other things) the group's intentions to follow through on the five aspects of organizational capacity listed above. 

Capacity Toolbox

This toolbox will include example documents for you to use with your organization. It will be a work in progress so check back often.

Evaluation

Evaluation Template

Position Descriptions
Having position descriptions help formalize roles and clarify expectations.

Example Position Description - Provided by BoardSource

Lake Districts:

Lake Associations:
Other: 
Marketing/Communications position (coming soon)

Board Service Agreement

Example Board Service Agreement - Provided by BoardSource

Skills Gap Analysis - If you know what skills are needed for your board to be effective, you will invite the right people to join your board. A simple gap analysis, or board matrix, helps pinpoint the best candidate for each position. It can also help identify what skills are already present on the board and what is lacking.

Skills Gap Analysis Template

​​Skills Gap Analysis Template (Blank)​

Skills Gap Analysis Template - Google Form (make a copy of this form before you modify)

  1. To make a copy, click on the three stacked lines in the upper right corner of the form (next to your profile image).
  2. Choose Make a copy. You'll need to choose where you save it to (choose the Folder where you want your copy to be saved).
  3. Click OK.
Skills Gap Analysis Template - Microsoft Form (Duplicate this form to use as your own before you modify)

Questions? Email swindjue@uwsp.edu

 Articles from Lake Tides featuring Internal Organizational Capacity Topics

Spring/Summer 2018 - Organizational Capacity

Spring/Summer 2019 - Organizational Capacity

Spring/Summer 2020 - Keeping Things Together (While Staying Apart)

Spring/Summer 2021 - Enhancing Board Member Participation - Job Descriptions, Expectations, and Evaluation

Spring/Summer 2022 - Annual Planning/Scheduling

Spring/Summer 2023 - The Importance of Communication​ 




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