How to balance different interests

There are many ways of balancing different interests with those of your organisation, for example:

Safeguard against pressure from different interest groups:

1. Refer to the organisation’s strategic plan (with its goals, outcomes, values, milestones etc.) —the governing body and members are obliged to uphold the overall plan.

2. Create policies about equity and transparency in decision making—these can lessen conflicts between community-wide and sectional interests.

3. Advertise these policies throughout the community so that people understand why a governing body must make its decisions.

4. Conflicting demands can be resolved by setting priorities for plans and for distributing resources, including well-publicised timeframes that stagger initiatives.

5. Run through potentially problematic sectional/factional scenarios, and collectively identify tactics to cope with them.

Be transparent and open to all:

6. Make sure your directors meetings (of the governing body) have a standing item on the agenda to hear reports from individual leaders on particular issues of local concern.

7. If a governing body member has advocated ward/constituent issues, but has not been successful, fully explain the reasons why not.

8. Make sure the culture and activities of an organisation and its governing body reflect the broad concerns and aspirations of its members as a whole.

9. Communicate and consult effectively with members and communities—you can use electronic newsletters or noticeboards, open meetings or workshops, community radio and TV.

10. Make sure your website has key policies, strategies and messages to target audiences, inside and outside the community. It may be the first point of contact a person has with your organisation or community. Ensure that it is attractive and easy to use.

Check out what other Indigenous organisations and communities have done.