Working with faith-based organizations: challenges and benefits
Abstract
Serving with community organizations -- in particular, small faith-based
ones -- presents a unique set of challenges for those in national and
community
service. Beverly Al-Amin of the National Crime Prevention Council shared
strategies for overcoming potential obstacles at the 2005 AmeriCorps*Direct
Best
Practices Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in April 2005.
Issue
Working with any organization presents challenges, and community
organizations are no exception.
Action
According to Beverly Al-Amin of the National Crime Prevention Council, take
the following steps to deal with challenges posed by working with
community-based organizations.
Problem: The organization may be cautious about partnering with the federal
government.
Solution:
* Be clear about the opportunities available to the new partner and
how its program can be enhanced with this support.
* Be specific about what activities can and cannot be done when
organizations are partnering with the federal government. (See the section on
legal
guidelines below.)
* Be aware that in the past, faith-based organizations might have
limited their services to members of their own faith. When an organization
becomes a Senior Corps volunteer station, their services must be available to
all
members of the community, regardless of their religious background.
Problem: The organization may face administrative challenges, such as staff
being unavailable to answer phones or be present during "normal" working
hours. This is especially true for congregations (mosques, temples, churches,
synagogues).Solution:
* Be consistent and patient in communicating with the organization.
* Be flexible in your schedule so you can meet staff when and where
they are available.
Problem: The organization may lack access to information.Solution:
* Offer to invite the organization to community councils and
networking opportunities.
* Introduce staff to new and different sources of information.
* Offer support to help the organization comply with local and federal
rules on partnering with various organizations.
Problem: The organization may need help with additional capacity
building.Solution:
* Every organization has both strengths and weaknesses; suggest ways
you can help the organization maximize its strengths and compensate for its
weaknesses.
* Offer to share effective practices that have worked for your
organization and might be adapted to work within their program or
organization.
Walk-through their (or your) processes or procedures step-by-step with an eye
to
highlight areas of efficiency and troubleshoot areas of "bottle necking."
Problem: The organization may have language barriers. Members of the
organization may not be fluent in English; words may be used in slightly
different
ways -- for example, a secular organization may talk about a "program," while
the faith-based group has a "ministry." The two words often appear to be
interchangeable, but they mean different things to each group.
Solution:
Ask a lot of questions when meeting with community organizations. Do not
assume anything, and be specific about the expectations of the programs.
Problem: The organization may feel protective of their programs and
congregations. Sometimes new programs can be perceived as taking money,
volunteers,
and other resources away from an already limited capacity.
Solution:
* When meeting with a community organization, be prepared to discuss
how the new partnership will support the mission and use the organization's
resources to benefit the community.
* Ensure that the organization has both the benefits and the
responsibilities of a full partnership. This means that the organization
receives
credit for making the partnership a success but also takes responsibility.
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Context
Faith-based and community organizations have a long history of providing
essential services to people in need in the United States. In recognition of
the
unique ability that these organizations have to meet the special needs of
their communities, President George W. Bush has made improving funding
opportunities for faith-based and community organizations a priority. Through
the
President's faith-based and community initiative, the administration is
working
to remove unnecessary barriers that may prevent these organizations from
receiving federal funding, creating a "level playing field" between
faith-based
and community organizations and other groups that use federal funds in
delivering services.
On January 29, 2001, President Bush issued an Executive Order directing the
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as
the heads of the departments of Justice, Education, Labor, and Housing and
Urban Development, to establish within each department a Center for
Faith-Based
and Community Initiatives.
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Outcome
Many of the benefits that community-based organizations have are related to
their presence and credibility in neighborhoods and with clients. Some of
these benefits include:
* Trust within the neighborhood
* Integrated personal relationships within the community
* Experience with directly serving those in need
* The mission and desire to help those in need within their community
* Established leadership within the community
* Experience in volunteer recruitment, management, and retention
* Resources such as buildings, meeting rooms, equipment, and so forth
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