The Fluid Role of Networks in Social Movements

“Networks are not social movements; but social-justice movements need networks,” says Marco Davis, a veteran network builder.  According to Robin Katcher in her article The Fluid Role of Networks in Social Movements, “for anyone involved in a grassroots effort to create change, this statement may seem obvious.   But it is hardly simple to describe or understand.    Networks play essential roles within movements; but how they do so and even which roles they play are not static.  This fluidity causes movement networks sometimes to appear disorganized and unwieldy, which has led some to devalue their contribution and others to push for formal structure and control.   A deeper look suggests that openness and flexibility are necessary components”.

Beth Zemsky and Dave Mann define movements as “a collection of persons or groups who come together around a common concern.  Typically their mission is to bring about some type of societal change relative to their concern.”*   In Ms. Katcher’s article she describes the essential roles of “movement networks” and their importance for providing flexibility within networks.  She warns that traditional networks can easily become rigid and block critical work and network vitality which is detrimental to social movements.

Movement networks succeed by fostering stronger member relationships.  Networks ‘help develop a movement consciousness:  thinking of self as part of something bigger than you,’ emphasizes Dan Petegorsky, a longtime network builder in the progressive movement.    Katcher states, “members must agree that by joining together within the network, not only do they gain benefits for their own work but also the work of the network adds up to more than the sum of its parts.  Networks facilitate and support coordinated action among organizational members.  Social movements need coordinated action to build momentum, demonstrate support, and push for change”.

To support the development of social movements, organizations should understand not only their role in the movement but also what it takes for them to come together in strong, fluid, adaptive, and effective networks.  This can be challenging because the process of creating and expanding networks can be complex, however as Ms. Katcher states success begins with the ability to learn, adapt and change.

To read Ms. Katcher’s complete article please go see Non Profit Quarterly Summer 2010.

*Beth Zemsky and Dave Mann, “Building Organizations in a Movement Moment”, Social Policy:  Organizing for Social and Economic Justice, vol.28, no.3, 2008.

West Virginia Focus of Asset Development for Persons with Disabilities

 West Virginia recently hosted the Real Economic Impact (REI) Tour’s Asset Development Summit for Persons with Disabilities bringing interested parties around the state together to discuss disability initiatives.  The REI Tour is a national initiative delivering free tax preparation and filing assistance and other asset building strategies to low income persons with disabilities.  In 2010, the Tour will be in all 50 states and Washington, DC.   The National Disability Institute worked with the WV Alliance for Sustainable Families (WVASF), Senator Rockefeller’s office, IRS and Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) to coordinate the summit in order to enhance Asset Building and Disability work in our state. 

The Asset Development Summit was held at the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services at Institute and included over thirty participants statewide.  A sampling of attendees included the IRS, BB&T, Barbara Pryor from Senator Rockefeller’s office, WVU Extension, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Southern WV & the Panhandles, and WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities. 

The group discussed best practices for assisting the disability community and hurdles facing low-income persons with disabilities.   Issues facing many include knowing what resources are available and the impact that building wealth has on existing benefits that are affected by asset limitations.  The NDI is compiling key findings and recommendations based on the group’s conversations during the summit.

Disability outreach will include working to offer more opportunities for the free tax preparation services through the IRS’s VITA (volunteer income tax assistance) program.  If you or your organization would like to volunteer for the upcoming tax season please contact Kelli Hinkle khinkle@te-associates.com.    According to the IRS an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 million taxpayers with disabilities are not filing and missing out on an estimated one billion dollars in available tax credits.

The WV Alliance for Sustainable Families is a non-profit organization leading the Statewide Asset Building coalition and EITC outreach and managed by Terrell Ellis & Associates.

New Guide Star Survey Finds that Recession Continues to Hurt Nonprofit Sector

GuideStar USA, Inc., a leading source of  nonprofit information,  on August 16 announced the results of its first economic survey of public charity and private foundations in 2010.  Over 7,000 nonprofit organizations (NPO’s) were surveyed (31 in West Virginia) and it was determined that the nonprofit sector continues to experience the effects of the recent economic downturn.  The survey showed that 40% of respondents have seen a further decline in contributions in the first 5 months of this year compared to the same period in 2009.  During this decline, 63% of the NPO’s have seen an increase in demand for their services.

GuideStar’s President and CEO, Bob Ottenhoff stated “It’s more important than ever that nonprofits are transparent about their earnings and offerings so that donors and grant makers will know that their dollars are going to organizations that will use their gifts wisely.”

Highlights of the survey include:

• 8% of NPO’s reported that they were in eminent danger of closing
• 17% have reduced services; 11% have laid off employees
• 17% of organizations that use volunteers have converted one or two paid staff positions to volunteer positions
• 32% said they had increased their reliance on volunteers

See GuideStar’s survey results 

 As you can see from the survey it is increasing important that NPO’s maintain a competitive edge in planning, grant writing and marketing.    TEA has over 15 years experience in the non-profit management arena and currently staffs both an Executive Director and Program Manager.  We recently achieved non-profit management certification from Duke University’s non-profit management program.    TEA has extensive experience in grant writing, grant management and strategic planning and implementation.  

In WV, there are over 13,000 non-profit organizations (NPO),   this number up 25.6% from ten years ago.   NPO’s include public charities, private foundations and other groups such as social and recreational clubs and trade associations.

Protecting Land Through Conservation Easements

TEA has been fortunate to have the West Virginia Land Trust (WVLT) as a client for many years now.  Our role has been to help support and further the mission of the organization to protect special places in WV through voluntary conservation easements. The WVLT is a private non-profit organization that actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting with direct land transactions – primarily the acceptance of donation of conservation easements or land. There are several land trusts currently operating in WV which vary greatly in scope and scale, but the WVLT is the only statewide land trust. All land trusts, however, share the common mission of working cooperatively with land owners to protect and conserve land for its natural, recreational, scenic, historic, or productive value.

Land trusts use a variety of tools to help landowners protect their land. The most commonly used protection methods are land donations or the purchase/acceptance of conservation easements. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that permanently restricts certain aspects of land use in order to protect the conservation values of the property. Land owners many either donate or sell a conservation easement.  When a landowner places a conservation easement on his or her land, he or she maintains ownership and use of the property and can sell it or pass it on to heirs. The land is subject to certain restrictions agreed upon by the landowner and the land trust. Future landowners are bound by these restrictions as well, and the land trust is responsible for monitoring the property and upholding the terms of the easement.

There are many benefits to placing land in a conservation easement. Landowners get the satisfaction of knowing their land is protected in perpetuity and may also experience tax advantages such as income tax deductions, estate tax benefits, and possibly a reduction in property taxes. Land conservation can also have larger environmental benefits such as preserving water quality, wildlife habitat, and scenic view sheds.

TEA provides day-to-day support for the WVLT but also helps guide the organization strategically.  For example, TEA is currently helping the WVLT explore ways to expand partnerships with other conservation groups, like the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund Board, to help leverage resources.  We are also exploring new creative approaches to land conservation like mitigation banking and in-lieu fee programs.  Through these efforts, and others, TEA helps the WVLT achieve its goal of land conservation in WV.   

To learn more about conserving land in WV and how you may protect your property please visit the WVLT website or call 304-346-7788.  To learn more about how TEA can help your organization grow and thrive contact us.

Disaster Loans Available for Nonprofits in WV

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced recently that nonprofit agencies, such as food kitchens and homeless shelters, may qualify for low-interest rate disaster loans. Nonprofit organizations can apply for funds to repair or replace assets that were damaged during the mid-December winter storm of 2009. Only organizations in the 15 disaster-declared counties are eligible – those counties include Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Ritchie, Roane and Wyoming.

Loans are available to repair or replace homes, business properties, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Working capital loans can also be provided to assist organizations in meeting their financial obligations during the disaster recovery period. Approved loan applicants may also be eligible to receive additional funds to pay for improvements to help mitigate the impacts of future disasters.

To learn more about the loans and other SBA programs visit www.sba.gov or contact the West Virginia District Office at 304-623-5631 or wvinfo@sba.gov. The filing deadline for physical property damage is May 3. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 2.