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Leading Out of Crisis: Strategies to Reposition an International NGO for Success David C. Harvey President & CEO March 1, 2012. Objectives. The Adult Literacy Crisis ProLiteracy Leading a Turnaround. The Adult Literacy Crisis. 140,000 in CNY Over 30 Million in US Below Basic
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Leading Out of Crisis: Strategies to Reposition an International NGO for SuccessDavid C. HarveyPresident & CEOMarch 1, 2012
Objectives • The Adult Literacy Crisis • ProLiteracy • Leading a Turnaround
The Adult Literacy Crisis • 140,000 in CNY • Over 30 Million in US Below Basic • Over 900 Million Globally
Improving Literacy Rates is about Social Change • Reducing Poverty • Skilled Workforce/Global Competitiveness • Improving Health Outcomes • Reducing Crime
What ProLiteracy Members Do • Basic Reading, Writing, Math • ESL & GED • 1 on 1 Tutoring, Small Group Instruction, Classroom • Trained Volunteers, Paid Teachers • Citizenship
ProLiteracy • Merged Organization in 2002 • National & International Membership Organization • 1200 US CBO Members • 52 Partners in 31 Developing Countries • New Readers Press
External Strategic Direction • Enhancing Advocacy Work in Washington • Raising Awareness of Literacy Crisis • Forming New Private & Public Partnerships
Internal Strategic Direction (A Turnaround Operation) • Improve Finances & Administration, Reduce Debt • Restructure Organization • Eliminate Hierarchical Structure • Engage Line Staff & Form New Strategic Plan • Change Work Culture & Environment
Classic Turnaround Stages • Assess Viability/Diagnose Problems • Stabilize & Develop Strategy • Financial Restructuring • Implementation & Monitoring • Last Mile Changes
Adult Literacy Field 2007 • Lack of Awareness • Some Federal Programs Eliminated • Poor Compensation Levels, Increasing Demand • Poor Training/Certification • Lack of Effective Advocacy • Private Sector Funding Flat/Reducing • Factionalized Field
ProLiteracy 2007 • $3.2 Million of Debt • $1.2 Million Deficit in Preceding Year • Senior Staff Silos, Males Over Age 55 (1 Exception) • Duplication & Staff Redundancies • Low Morale of Staff • Poor Performing Programs • Board of Directors Ill-Informed
Adult Literacy Field 2012 • Some Increase in Media Coverage • No Federal Funding Cuts (Yet) • Increasing Demand, Some Programs Closing • State Budget Cuts • National Coalition Restructured, House Adult Literacy Caucus Formed • New National Conference with Nontraditional Partners • CONFINTEA Conference
ProLiteracy 2012 • $1.4 million in debt, Value of Endowment Up • Balanced Budgets for 4 Years • Silos Reduced, Morale Improving • Headquarters Moving to Westside • Active DC Office • New Program Directions/New Grants • Communications Trackrecord • Leaner Staff • Board Highly Engaged
Key Questions/Discussion • What defines effective personal and organizational leadership during a crisis? • How do you promote staff accountability and initiative in a “shuttered” work culture? • How do you increase resources in a down economy?