What do organizations do when their world gets turned upside down?

“The days when public and non-profit organizations got money because they need it, or because they’re working so hard, or because they are committed, are over.  Now it’s about performance and outcomes.”

~Local Governmental Administrator in the Headwaters Region

The quote above was taken from a conversation from one of our local governmental administrators not long ago.  He expressed something we’ve been thinking for a long time -- the world has been turned upside down for non-profits.  The arguments at the local, state and federal level about the “need” for more money go unheeded.  While the old system rewarded organizations based on need, the new model is rewarding resources based on performance.  The transition over the last several years has been unsettling.

The HRDC’s response to this is to help organizations reposition themselves by focusing on delivering real outcomes.  Following are some of the activities undertaken within the last year (the links take you to people that can provide more information about our efforts):

• Beltrami County continues its ambitious management/leadership initiative using the Balanced Scorecard methodology.
• The Mn BWSR completed its Strategic Plan with Headwaters RDC help.
• The Beltrami County Lakes and Rivers Association (BCLARA) completed a strategic to combat the spread of invasive species.
• Lake of the Woods County worked with the HRDC to bring more detail to strategies to address their major 3-5 year goals.

The Balanced Scorecard initiative for Beltrami County deserves further mention.  Tony Murphy, Beltrami County Administrator, is leading an effort to transform the County into a high-performing, results-driven County government.  “The old model of local government that is focused on delivering services instead of outcomes simply will not work in the future.  The public wants results for the money they pay.  The Balanced Scorecard approach will help us deliver those results.  We have terrific people in the County.  Now we just have to put those people in a system that takes advantage of their skills and commitment.”

The Balanced Scorecard methodology helps an organization define objectives that are desired by their customers, and also define those things that need to happen internally with processes, people and money to accomplish those results.  Just as importantly, the method raises the level of accountability for everyone involved in the process.

The Headwaters RDC appreciates being involved in this important effort.  Click on the Balanced Scorecard to learn more about this methodology, or contact Tony Murphy, Beltrami County Administrator, to learn more about the process.