Yes, you heard right - we are declaring war on NonProfits and NonGovernmental Organizations!
Well actually, we are declaring war on the words, not the entities. And in place of those words, we have chosen to use the term "Community Benefit Organization" and "Community Benefit Sector" wherever possible.
Isn't that really what our work is all about - community benefit? Whether we are providing live theater or saving a forest, feeding a hungry child or providing homes for man or beast - it's all about making our communities better places to live.
We may see the community we want to impact as a neighborhood, a region - or the whole world. But if there is one thing this sector is all about, it is community benefit.
So then why do we continue to call ourselves by what we are NOT? NONprofit. NON-governmental organizations. With so much potential and so much good work being done every day, we believe one small step to changing the world is to change the words we use to do that work!
So "Nonprofits and NGO's" - throw off your chains! Arise and claim your place as the proactive, positive force you are! You are creating a better future for our world - tell that to the world in the words you use to describe your very being.
We are Community Benefit Organizations, and we are PROUD!
(Stay tuned, as we work through our own internal dilemma of changing Help 4 NonProfits, the name we have branded so well for our consulting practice, our website, our books - everything! Ah yes, consciously walking our talk is a tricky business to be sure!)
Absolutely believeable in all senses. Legitmate above board non-profits are exactly what you say they are “Community Benefit Organizations”, rather it be a local, national or international organization, they will provide services to a community and that community willl benefit.
Thanks for your comments, Barton - and absolutely! And when organizations think of themselves that way, they can accomplish more. Sometimes the answer to “What’s in a name?” is plenty!
Hildy
I really like the concept of Community Benefit Organizations for the reasons you stated. But also because it creates a large umbrella we can all join together under.
For instance, I work for a county government mental health agency working to employ job seekers with intellectual disabilities. So legally we are not a non-profit organization, but our mission and values work to benefit our community. So the idea that we all are working together to create a new and better future is a powerful uniting vision - we are all creating the future together to benefit community. And that’s a good thing!
Ron
Ron - So glad you wrote that! We really have created so many arbitrary barriers, separating all of us who want to create a better future for our communities. Great point - thanks for bringing it up. It makes me wonder - how might that change how your department (and other government departments) do their work?
Hildy
Hildy,
THANK-YOU!!
For over a decade, I’ve been on my soapbox about moving toward a term for who we ARE, AS the sector, IN the sector, FOR the community and WITH our colleagues and partners with whom we actively participate.
Everywhere I go I have posed the challenge to everyone I meet, to think about a “new” umbrella term - something that is life-giving - not just something “more”, “better” or “different” than who we’ve been.
I believe that you have hit the nail on the head, and I applaud your “freely releasing” permission (with enthusiasm and gusto I might add!) to use the term to all who find themselves in alignment with your views and hear the call…
Your work has, and now with your Blogs will continue to have, a ripple effect on the community, and I look forward to participating in it with you AND watching it happen!
With Gratitude,
Tracey Sisson
Licensed Belief Re-patterningTM Practitioner
Calgary, AB Canada
Thank YOU, Tracey! And yes, use the term Community Benefit Organization or any other proactive, positive term you can think of. Spread the gospel!
Hildy
I have toyed with the idea of becoming a non profit but I don’t want other people telling me what to write or I don’t want to start a non profit organization and be thrown out of it on my ear .For someone else with a different view point then mine to run . I have one purpose and one purpose only to tell people loving other people is the most important thing they will do while they are a live .
Sounds like a wonderful mission! Given the conditions you note, though, you may want to consider something other than forming a tax exempt Community Benefit organization, as you will indeed have a board as well as standards to adhere to. To help you decide, this article is a great place to test your thinking about whether or not you want to start an organization: http://www.help4nonprofits.com/NP_START_IsItFeasible_Art.htm
Best of luck, whatever you choose!
Hildy
The synchronicity of today’s e-mail and finding your blog is wonderful. Community Benefit Organization — you will now find that on our website, our newsletter, our guidebook, all of our materials — we will spread the word.
Thank you for creating a new moniker for our field.
Thank YOU, Sherri!
Hildy