Every non-governmental organisation is set up to provide solutions to problems in the environment. But in doing this, NGOs create employment and reduce economic pressure on some people and the polity.According to Wikipedia, an NGO is a citizen-based association that operates independently of government, usually to deliver resources or serve some social or political purpose.It is believed that running an NGO can be complex and the effort to address issues in this business brings with it a series of challenges. But with good management skills and focus, social analysts say an NGO can deliver on its terms. Indeed, it is a big business today.The Executive Director, Masterpiece Resource Development Centre, Mrs. Ekanem Nkanta, says running an NGO requires more than money and enthusiasm. The business of running an NGO, according to her, has a time-consuming process and requires a lot of financial and moral factors.And, according to Mr. Ryan Libre of matadornetwork.com, the first step to starting an NGO is testing the waters.He says, Many new activists are ready to commit their lives to the cause. Some are even willing to die for it. Most of these enthusiastic newbies are nowhere to be found a few months later. There is no need to turn down the volume of your enthusiasm, but before starting your own NGO, consider joining one that does similar work, at least, for a while.This, he says, is needed because the experience of working for an established NGO will only strengthen ones resolve and direct ones passion.He adds, The experience will also help you know whether you are really ready for the task and the commitment attached to the business.Again, he says it is important to clarify the goals of the organisation.He notes, The intending business owner should set clear and achievable goals for the NGO. Finding a niche is good place to start. Positive change usually comes from picking something small, doing it well and following through.Nkanta says that importantly, there is the need to have some passion for the job, adding that monetary value should not be the driving force of the organisation.She adds that the intending business owner must be committed, while the target of the business should be a solution to a problem.Again, just like any other business, there must be a plan of action. This, she says, will make the NGO effective and also address potential negative impacts as well as attracting sponsors and volunteers.She explains, Be sure to follow through with what has been started. Think hard about the action plan. Hard work is important, but hard work without a good plan is a waste of time and money.Nkanata advises that the intending business owner must give at least five years in which one can start ploughing back the profit.She stresses, Networking is necessary, Make friends with people and organisations doing similar work so that one can learn from their successes and mistakes. Networking also helps one to know when to team up and when to divide the efforts for maximum effectiveness.Both Nkanta and Libre say finding a balance between work and personal life is key to success.Libre also advises that a website should be created for the NGO.He says, A good website helps to spread the word, attract volunteers, secure funding and establish a professional appearance. An interactive website can also minimise the need for meetings and micro managing.Nkanta and Libre agree that local knowledge is indispensable to every NGO.Libre notes, Even if one grew up in the city where one wants to start an NGO, one still needs to research and make contacts. Making solid local contacts and understanding the locals world view is especially important if one wants to work in a foreign culture.Good use of local knowledge can really make an NGO effective. Without the local knowledge, one may do more harm than good.Nkanta also says that research before starting an NGO is a must; one needs to find out what other NGOs are doing in the area and what local groups are doing.She says, One may need to look for gaps in the services that are being provided and then figure out where one can fit in.Both Nkanta and Libre believe that money usually requires great amounts of paperwork and sometimes has strings attached.They say the quality of the work an NGO does and the amount of its funding are often inversely related.Nkanta also stresses that there is the need to assess the NGOs financial needs as well as have a proper record keeping to monitor how finance is used.Libre advises that in some cases, the NGO may go under the umbrella of an established NGO, until it can stand on its own. They advise that it is necessary to re-evaluate everything.This, they say, is necessary to know what has been done and what needs to be put in place to make the organisation effective.Libre says. Take joy in what has been accomplished, but also make sure the NGO is not becoming self-aggrandising.He also notes that how much time, efforts and money being spent on the NGO itself are the biggest problem facing all organisations, non-governmental or otherwise. Therefore, they caution that all these have to be carefully coordinated and managed to achieve good resultsBoth Libre and Nkanta advise that one should be sure to have people who can advise one well, especially those people who have more experience than one does.
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