July Commentary

Maria Coffey is from VOTF Regional New York City, NY. Recently, she shared these thoughts with VOTF leadership. Maria's words resonated with so many that we asked to share them with Vineyard readers.

As I read the e-mails tracking our developing organization, and experience similar situations "outside of Boston," I keep thinking of a book I read years ago (title and author long gone from my memory). It was based on the simple premise that organizational development is similar in many ways to human development.

As I remember it:

• An organization is born (Ah! the wonder of this creation - it's all so new, so unique; the joy of learning everything from "scratch"; needs are defined, rudimentary and limited ~ it's so small!).
• Then the organization experiences youth (It falls, gets bruised, gets up again; it learns at a tremendous pace; it tentatively tries out different things; it moves toward organizing itself; it's bigger, a little more opinionated; more difficult to control ~ it's growing up!).
• Next comes the adolescent organization (this is cranky time; everything is reevaluated; emotions run high; basic values and ideals are rethought, fought over; some people leave; some become recommitted ~ and control? What control?!).
• Then there is the semi-quiescent stage of maturity (the organization knows who it is, what it's all about; it has gained wisdom and respect; it is confident in its goals and the methods of attaining them~ the need for imposing control is a thing of the past - it's a comfortable well-oiled machine).
• And finally, as with all humans, there is death or (alleluia!) rebirth. (Some organizations outlive their usefulness and disappear. And some build on the tremendous learning that has taken place and, through introspection and a willingness to change, emerge stronger, perhaps looking a bit different, but basically intact and energized.)

I know this is a simplistic analogy but perhaps if we look at VOTF as going through organizational stages that are natural and expected, it might help us feel less frustrated. Hope this helps someone!

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