Organizational structures outline how activities and effort are directed within an organization to achieve their goals and objectives. A clear organizational structure allows group members to understand what they need to do, how they should do it,  and who is responsible for implementation. A clear organizational structure can also promote efficiency and create appeal for other groups looking to partner. This strengthens capacity for engagement and creates a solid foundation for growth/expansion. 

A Black Lives Matter activist in the Southeastern United States noted that a clear structure and differentiation of roles has helped the local group increase the efficiency of the group’s work. The group’s sub-committees each has a specific area of focus, including: courts/legal issues, fundraising, education, community development, housing injustices, writing/public outreach, allies, and underlying philosophical work. This clear role definition not only allows for this group to draw upon the diverse talents of the group, but also enables activists to engage in a deeper and more focused way in specific areas rather than everyone trying to “do it all.” 

Organizational structure also influences internal culture and communication. A clear structure does not necessarily mean creating a hierarchy – in some contexts this may not be effective. For example, staff at Sadaka Reut, a Jewish-Palestinian organization in Israel, note the importance of blurring hierarchy within movements in order to create greater equity and authentic partnership. This helps create a family dynamic that builds trust and creates space for open conversations about internal challenges, which is particularly important in the context of binational or cross-conflict work. These open conversations are part of a process of continuous reflection and dialogue that creates spaces for understanding what other groups or individuals need. In turn, this enables cross-conflict partnerships to function from a place of strength, which increases effectiveness and thus opportunities for scaling and growth. 

Challenges you may encounter using this tool

• Organizational structures can sometimes introduce silos among hubs of expertise in a particular area or geography. Be wary of breakdowns in communication that can occur when divisions of labor start to dictate lines of communication as well.

• Just as organizational structures can be designed to positively influence internal culture and communication, they can also be (poorly) designed in ways that produce negative effects. Poor designs often result from a lack of or limited design process.

• The kind of continuous reflection and dialogue required for blurring hierarchies within organizations takes time and commitment that not all community-based organizations may have, particularly when first engaging in this work.