Times Gone By

By Colleen Kelly

“I dreamed a dream in times gone by…”
                                                                       

 “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables by Michael Ball

There are many organizations in Canada today that were born during a different time – they had big dreams. In many of them the dreams have been realized and they have contributed significantly to our Canadian social fabric. For many of them the dream is no longer alive. It is time for the organization to consciously wind down. It is important to close their doors with class. Celebrate all the organization has accomplished in its past. And die a noble death.
 
I say that quickly and I might make it sound easy. I know it isn’t. There are many examples of people who continue to struggle to keep the fading dream alive. Why does it seem we have to do that? Maybe the key is to understand - deeply - this is a different time, and the way we all engage in society has changed. There isn’t the same kind of loyalty and sense of duty in the generations that are following the Silent Generation. Led in militant fashion by the Baby Boomers, who have led the way most of their lives, current generations are relating to the world in a new way. This very large group is quick to say they are different and they are about redefining how they will become involved in the community, as they transition to the next stage of their lives.

Some of the groups of organizations that continue to struggle:

• Many women’s church/temple/mosque/auxiliary groups – my stepmom and I have talked for the almost-30-years-since-she-married-my-dad about this group. The old ladies and the young ladies at church. And I’m guessing the same is true at temple and mosque as well. These groups are a big part of my stepmom’s life. And she & I (in different churches) have watched as the young women came in to do work with the older women and, of course, they do not do it correctly. So the young women stay away. That church connection is not important for them to feel part of community - as it was for previous generations. And will those groups enter when the old women have all died? For what reason? To have bake sales? To knit/crochet Afghans? To organize teas/craft fairs/fowl suppers?   

• Many service clubs: the animals (Elks, Moose, Lions, Eagles) and the Optimists, Masons, Knights, Shriners, Oddfellows, Kinsmen, Kiwanis, Jaycees – these members (mostly men) have done great work in our communities, raised money, volunteered their time, and made good friends while doing all that. Still we watch most of them struggle (Rotary has kept a focused business influence that seems to ensure they are continuing in much stronger fashion) and continually talk about recruiting. They want to find more members. New members. For what reason? To hang on to old fundraising events? To bequeath secret rituals? To take time away from their dad-job? 

• Many small organizations – in arts, social services, environment, health, education, recreation, animal welfare – the struggle for so many of these organizations to stay alive is immense. The people spend more time staying afloat than actually delivering their mission. They rarely examine if there is a different way to keep the dream alive. Is there potential for the organization to become part of a larger entity that can ensure program staff actually spends time delivering service, rather than focusing on making money? They don’t investigate merger possibilities. They keep protesting and fighting cuts and complaining no one cares about them. For what reason? To keep working unreasonably long hours? To continue to be paid at a ridiculously low level? To be autonomous?

In all three of these examples, it is important to look at the dream each dreamed. Is that still a possibility for them? Is there still a dream? If there is still a dream, how can the group realize that dream in a new way?

We have deliberated many times in the past few years the feasibility of offering a course in “How to Close Your Doors with Class.” We haven’t done so yet. We lack the courage to see if there are others who will be courageous enough to actually learn how to do what might be best for their organization. Would any of you attend?

As the Junior League did in Vancouver a number of years ago - maybe it is time for many organizations to deliberately project their future, carefully examine their mission, consciously celebrate what the group has done, and close their doors.  Loudly shout from the roof tops, “Our dream was wonderful; our work was awesome; we made a big difference! That was in times gone by. Today we close these doors so everyone can begin to live a new dream.” Would that be the best choice for your organization?

Colleen Kelly is the Executive Director of Vantage Point and Volunteer Vancouver

About Vantage Point

The mission of Vantage Point is to inspire & build leadership in the voluntary sector. This publication is intended to be a medium of communication and information for the many organizations active in the volunteer and not-for-profit sector. The opinions expressed herein are solely those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect official policy of the Board of Directors of Vantage Point.

Vantage Point
1183 Melville, Vancouver, BC
V6E 2X5 Canada
t 604.875.9144
f 604.875.0710
www.thevantagepoint.ca

A United Way Member Organization and funded in part by the City of Vancouver.