Muslim NGOsThe Balance between Unprofessionalism

& Commercialism

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History 1. No historic examples because the State

was responsible for social welfare2. Charity was personal and individual

oriented – people gave to those they knew personally

3. Record keeping, data gathering, monitoring effectiveness; not practiced systematicallyMuslim NGO is a post-empire phenomenon

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Sustained charity???1. Lack of vision, leadership and systems 2. Sporadic disbursement – Ramadan etc.3. Prevents planned development4. Must create endowment funds

Create systems to ensure on-going development

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Business NGO1. Clear measurable goals2. Employees join for

material reasons3. Motivation related to

received benefits4. Output measured &

measurement appreciated5. Strategic focus,

consistence

1. Goals not clear or measured2. Employees join for

emotional reasons3. Motivation related to

perceived benefits4. Output not measured &

allergy to measurement5. Event driven, sporadic

activityNeed for greater clarity of perception about NGO

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5 – Key Areas to Focus on1. Clear values and goals2. Strategy & Strategic thinking3. Metrics & Process Review4. Leadership & Successor development5. Thinking systemically

Only clarity of thought leads to effective delivery

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Clear values & goals1. What do you stand for (Core Values)?

1. How are these visible in your work (life)?2. Why do you exist (Purpose)?

1. What will happen if you cease to exist?3. What is your goal (Vision)?

1. Who does it help & what will it do for you?

Visible values because people listen with their eyes

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Strategy & Strategic Thinking1. Strategic thinking means to be proactive2. Strategic thinking means to act before the

need3. Strategic thinking must permeate the

organization4. Strategic thinking means investment in

peopleWhat are the indicators of your strategic focus?

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Metrics & Process Review1. What you don’t measure you can’t guarantee2. What are your processes for good

governance, transparency and accountability?

3. What (Who) is your benchmark?4. What are your processes for recruitment,

compensation, recognition, severance?Systems spell success or failure – not passion alone

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Leadership & Successor development

1. What does ‘leadership’ mean in your context?2. Who is your benchmark for leadership?3. What are the processes to identify successors &

groom (mentor) them to take over?4. What is the system to ensure that succession

happens in a logical, timebound manner?

How many levels of leadership - ready in your NGO?

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Indicators of this…1. Specified retirement age2. Formal Leadership

Development/Mentoring program with measurement metrics

3. Dissent, creativity encouraged and rewarded

4. Change is encouraged and embracedWithout these it is only a wish, not an intention

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Thinking Systemically1. Think (see) systemically, not event driven,

ideology driven or personality driven2. What are you doing to educate your people

to think systemically?3. How are you building perspective in your

people?Do you have perspective yourself?

How do you know?

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Problems and their solutions

For those who are willing to try

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Allergies to cure1. Allergy to measurement of results2. Allergy to financial transparency3. Allergy to work reporting & following

rules4. Allergy to being questioned5. Allergy to succession planning &

developmentDo you have ‘untouchables’ in your organization?

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Dilemma of ‘Givers’1. Exploitation (emotional blackmail)

becomes the natural response to the ‘servant leader’

2. ‘Give without expectation’, ‘Your reward is with Allahهلالج لج’, ‘Obey elders without question’, ‘Shut up’

3. While they laugh all the way to the bankLearn how not to become a monkey collector

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HBR Cover story1. Don’t confuse generosity with

selflessness2. Don’t accept substandard in the name of

kindness3. Effective givers recognize that

every ’No’, frees you up to say ‘Yes’ when it matters most

Recognize your own worth and appreciate it

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HBR Cover story1. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. 2. Amplify your impact by looking for ways to

help multiple people with a single act of generosity.

3. Find ways to give without depleting your time and energy because your needs are equally important

WHOM TO HELP: HINT – NOT EVERYONE

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Even if you are, stand up!!

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Tarbiyya1. Who is your Mentor/Musleh?2. What is your criterion for picking him?3. What is your Tarbiyya program and its

metrics?4. How do you involve everyone in it?

You can only give what you have so what do you have?

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