Are You a Social Change Agent?
By Dr. M. Starita Boyce Ansari
Do you pursue social change responsively? Take this quiz.
Thousands of leaders pursue social change with the best of intentions and deepest of passion, but fail to have a lasting impact. In fact, the social change field as a whole needs to have more impact. People of color are still much more likely to be unemployed, incarcerated, and uneducated than the rest of the country. Women still have lower paying jobs and less upward mobility than men. And, the racial and gender wealth gaps continue to grow. How can we do better? Be more responsive to the needs of the people we serve.
What does responsive philanthropy mean?
It means to use strategy and evaluation to create innovative solutions and effectively challenge and change systems that sustain economic, educational, health, and social disparities.
We’re responsive when we embrace and engage, not prescribe to communities, in order to listen and learn how best to work collaboratively. Our strategic plan uses the data collected to recruit staff, volunteers, and board members who will effectively execute the mission. We use evaluation outcomes to maneuver fiscal and human resources based upon the needs of the community. We build a cross-functional team that develops new skills and fosters talent and passion beyond the job description to fulfill your mission. Quite simply, being responsive offers you the best chance listen in order to be effective.
Is your organization responsive? Take the quiz below. When you’re done, add the points for your total score.
Evaluation and Strategic Planning Self-Assessment Questionnaire
1- Never
2- Very Seldom
3- Seldom
4- Often
5- Very Often
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1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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2 The strategic plan drives the budget. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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3 Our budget development process is inclusive. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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4 The decisions made by the board serve the public good. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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5 I am aware of what motivates volunteers and staff to be part of our institution. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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6 Before I start a new job I am aware of the institution’s market advantage. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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7 My day-to-day activities are a mirror of the strategic plan. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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8 Our strategic planning process is inclusive. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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9 I am abreast of the trends in my field. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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10 I work with other institutions to strategically address economic, education, and health disparities. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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11 I publicly speak about education, economic and health disparities. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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12 Our stakeholders tell our success stories. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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13 Our SWOT analysis includes the opinions of those we serve. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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14 Strategic planning is used to look beyond the job description to capitalize on talents to meet the mission. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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15 I ensure that all of my communication includes outcomes. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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16 My staff meetings focus on the mission, vision and strategic plan. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
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17 I assess the ability of my work to fulfil the mission. |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Evaluating results
A score of 70 or above, indicates you are creating a world where every person regardless of age, cognitive, mental or physical ability, economic status, gender, nationality or sexual orientation has access to the best economic, education, health, and social systems. Great job! Your organization is responsive!
If your organization scored less than 70, your organization needs to build its competency in evaluation and strategic planning and become more responsive.
Fortunately, you can take action to make change at your organization, and you’re not alone. Most organizations score less than 70. For some ideas about how to become more responsive, contact change@msbphilanthropyadvisors.com for a free copy of “Have You Read Your Strategic Plan Today?”and “Making the Case for Change: Eight Simple Benefits that Make the Case for Investing in Strategy and Evaluation”. You can start taking action today.
