Appreciating the Power of Passion: a Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organization’S Road Map to Influencing Policy Change and Organizing Volunteers
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Appreciating the Power of Passion: A Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organization’s Road Map to Influencing Policy Change and Organizing Volunteers The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Pogge, Caroline Renate. 2019. Appreciating the Power of Passion: A Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organization’s Road Map to Influencing Policy Change and Organizing Volunteers. Doctoral dissertation, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:40976778 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA APPRECIATING THE POWER OF PASSION: A NON-PROFIT, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION’S ROAD MAP TO INFLUENCING POLICY CHANGE AND ORGANIZING VOLUNTEERS CAROLINE RENATE POGGE A DELTA Doctoral Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Public Health Harvard University Boston, Massachusetts May 2019 Dissertation Advisor: Richard B. Siegrist Caroline Renate Pogge APPRECIATING THE POWER OF PASSION: A NON-PROFIT, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION’S ROAD MAP TO INFLUENCING POLICY CHANGE AND ORGANIZING VOLUNTEERS Abstract With a continued focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we recognize the impact of poor ocean environments on human health. This is particularly relevant given the large number of weather-related disasters along the increasingly dense coastline. In order to ensure continued access to vital ocean resources, we need to develop early warning triggers to alert for potential issues before they become unmanageable. The Ocean’s “Canary” is the Shark; who serves as an integral part of the ecosystem by ensuring the entire ocean remains balanced. Specifically, my Doctoral Engagement in Leadership and Translation for Action (DELTA) project was to create translational knowledge to support the global effort in policy change, specifically related to shark conservation. Utilizing the Kingdon “Multiple Streams Policy Framework,” I offer Shark Angels, a non-governmental organization focused on shark conservation, with a method of preparing to more adeptly influence policy change at any level. By delving into each aspect of the framework, and specifically applying it to the issue of shark conservation, Shark Angels can now better assess their internal organizational gaps and prepare for a future window of opportunity to open. In addition, my work offered me a unique perspective into Shark Angels’ internal processes. This provided me with some insights that may be hindering their organizational capacity, but may also be adapted to a variety of other organizations. The result is to offer Shark Angels with some areas for consideration, which have the potential to greatly enhance their organization’s capacity for future growth and subsequently improve their ability to influence policy change. ii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ v List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ vi Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................................... vii Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Part I: Influencing Policy Change................................................................................................................... 5 Analytical Platform: Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework .................................................................. 5 Problem Stream .................................................................................................................................... 6 Policy Stream ...................................................................................................................................... 14 Politics Stream .................................................................................................................................... 17 Policy Entrepreneurs ........................................................................................................................... 20 Policy Window .................................................................................................................................... 21 Part II: Organizational Leadership Considerations ...................................................................................... 23 Five key concepts for managing an all-volunteer organization .............................................................. 23 Focused Strategy ................................................................................................................................. 23 Cross and Inter-sector Collaboration .................................................................................................. 27 Create Strong Roots ............................................................................................................................ 30 Staff Development .............................................................................................................................. 34 Leveraging and Managing Volunteers ................................................................................................ 37 Conclusion: Shark Angels Recommendations ............................................................................................. 40 Near-term Recommendations ................................................................................................................ 40 Hire full time program director ........................................................................................................... 40 Board Reorganization .......................................................................................................................... 41 Dissolve Chapter program................................................................................................................... 43 Long-term Recommendations ................................................................................................................ 44 Invest in Staff ...................................................................................................................................... 44 Develop 5-year organization with annual goals .................................................................................. 45 Establish lasting relationships ............................................................................................................. 46 Closing Comments .................................................................................................................................. 47 References .................................................................................................................................................. 50 Appendices .................................................................................................................................................. 55 iii Supplemental Materials .............................................................................................................................. 57 Index............................................................................................................................................................ 59 iv List of Figures Figure 1: Rising Coastal Populations…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1 Figure 2: Ocean Food web……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Figure 3: Kingdon Multiple Streams Policy Framework…………………………………………………………………………. 5 Figure 4: Human and Animal Deaths………………………………………………………………………………………. 9 Figure 5 – Global Trade migration for Shark Fin and Shark commodities……………………………………………… 18 Figure 6: Pelagic Zones………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………… 49 v List of Tables Table 1: Examples of Volunteer oversight and skill requirements………………………………………………………… 36 vi Acknowledgements This journey has been flying by at lighting speed and I could not have completed such a tremendous achievement without the support and guidance of so many. I am truly blessed with a phenomenal circle of family, friends and colleagues, who have collectively ensured my success in both my civilian and military careers. For this leg of my journey I would like to thank the following: First, I need to thank my parents: W. Renate Pogge and the late Dr. H. Bernhard Pogge (the original Doctor Pogge) who have always supported my dreams and interests. While my journey has taken some interesting twists and turns, they have always remained my biggest cheerleaders. My brother Stephen Pogge and his wife Dr. Karen Butters Pogge (the clinical Doctor Pogge) and my nieces Emma, Sarah and Kate; who long ago stopped trying to figure out what I might be up to next. Thanks for humoring me and