Gradually, Then Suddenly
Friday Fable About the Cost of Neglecting Seemingly Minor Trends
“Effective immediately, we will be going to an all-volunteer model for program delivery. There will be no more stipends for facilitation.”
Wait, what?
Emily could hardly believe it. The email from the organization’s Chief Financial Officer came out of nowhere. “How could they suspend paying us?” she cried. “The facilitators are the most important part of the program!!”
The stipends weren’t a full salary, by any stretch, but Emily counted on this income. And she felt she deserved it. As program manager and lead facilitator, she had poured her heart and soul into the program. Evaluations were strong. Participants stopped her in the street to tell her how much the program meant to them. Clearly, she was making an impact.
But now she would no longer be paid? It was heart-breaking—and infuriating. How could this happen?
“Gradually, then suddenly” to paraphrase Hemingway.
In retrospect, the signs were everywhere. Program enrollment was declining. Donations dwindled to nothing as headline-grabbing crises captured the hearts—and wallets—of local philanthropists. Community values and needs were changing.
Gradually, over the years, external factors had been weighing on the program. The leadership team ignored the metrics as well as opportunities to adjust. Head down in the work, they delivered the same product the same way, year after year, even as the world changed.
Until suddenly there was no money left. “We can’t pay our facilitators today” is a problem that began years ago. When all resources were exhausted, it was too late to respond. And fixing it now isn’t so easy—nor could they expect to solve everything at the strategic planning offsite scheduled for the summer. With nothing left in the kitty and a demoralized team, they might not make it that far.
Moral of the Story
Ongoing adjustment to external changes is a discipline, inviting you to respond to small changes as they are happening. Without that discipline, eventually you are in for a big change that you aren’t going to like.
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