At the P/PE Workshop in Tulsa earlier
this year I spoke about finding sources for President’s
Messages. Many of the issues our leaders
seek guidance on (motivation, attrition, conflict
resolution) are common to every organization and
inspiration can be found everywhere, even in “junk”
mail or in newsletters and publications that cross
your desk.
In January 2006, George Wessberg wrote a wonderful
piece in the Outrigger Canoe Club magazine which
addressed many of these issues. I share portions
of his article with you because I believe there is
a great deal of wisdom in this piece and some practical
ideas which may be worth consideration as you plan
your programs for the next term. For
clarity, I have substituted certain words (NALS for
Outrigger Canoe Club, etc.), but left others as Mr. Wessberg
intended:
Tribalism is a natural and simplistic social system
that has evolved during the past two million years. A
tribe is usually a small group that is tightly bound
together by their culture and desire for survival. Most
forms of government, from communism to democracy,
find their roots in tribalism.
Anthropologists currently view tribalism as the
natural state of humanity. Tribes are
generally an open, egalitarian, classless, and cooperative
community. It is the “egalitarian” component
of this definition that causes tribes to be different
and often causes larger tribes to fragment.
Egalitarian tribalism is based upon the moral
doctrine that all members of the tribe are equal. However,
equality is a relative term depending upon the perspective
from which it is viewed. [NALS] is based
upon democratic egalitarianism where every regular
member has an equal voice in the governance of
the organization.
Factionalism occurs when a group within a tribe
organizes to pursue an agenda that does not support
the voice of the majority. When factionalism
occurs within an open and honest forum, the dissent
actually strengthens the tribe. However,
when factions develop within a tribe for the purpose
of personal gain rather than promoting the welfare
of the tribe, the insidious fragmentation saps
the strength of the tribe.
I have spent the past three years interviewing
some of the “good people” who no longer paddle
for our Club. Some gave up competitive paddling because
of the time commitment. Others remained in
the club, but quit paddling because they felt there
was no place for them in the paddling program.
Some left because of “conflicts” with other paddlers
or coaches and they found a receptive home at another
club. Other youth and master members quit
paddling with our Club because of limited opportunities
to paddle.
However, the most disconcerting reason given for
leaving was because paddling … just wasn’t as fun
as it used to be.
Historically, dominant factions or cliques inevitably
develop within every large tribe and these factions
tend to adopt an exclusive or condescending attitude
toward “others.” Ultimately, things get said,
feelings get hurt, and good people leave.
Our unique culture is the rope that binds our
rigging together and permits our Club to perpetuate
our proud tradition of excellence. For this
reason, the mandate of this Club is to provide
members with equal opportunity to participate rather
than equality of outcome.
A[n association] that pursues excellence must
acknowledge that all members are not born with
equal aptitude. However
it does provide opportunities for members to improve
their individual performance, and personal enjoyment
by improving their attitude and their ability.
