When Members Fail to Speak Up, Organizations Suffer
The saying “speech is silver but silence is golden” is believed to date back to ancient Egypt. It means that in some circumstances the less you say the better it is. Personally, in a room full of strangers, I'm often discrete because it is the more appropriate thing to do. I speak when I am confident in my thinking and understanding of a matter- which can take time.
Lack of communication from membership can be a huge problem for many non-profit organizations. There are many reasons members choose not to speak up, but I believe that most people tend to stay quiet because of three reasons:
- They fear retaliation or the possibility of looking stupid
- They do not believe that the organization wants or values feedback
- They are apathetic to the future of the organization
An organization with little input from membership will have less impact on change, will spend more money than necessary to fulfill its objectives, and will eventually lose support from its membership over time.
During my 22 years as your Executive Director for Georgia Milk Producers, I have witnessed periods of silence from our members. I've heard producers say they did not speak up because of their size, lack of understanding on an issue, or that they are just too busy with their own businesses to pay attention to industry issues. I understand it all. It is hard to juggle everyday activities and find time to provide input into an organization like ours. But for the future of the industry - it is necessary.
You matter. Regardless of your size, style, or age. Your input matters. Organizations like Georgia Milk Producers want your feedback and need it frequently. Also, every producer has a voice regardless of size or the amount of milk they produce. Our Board values input from ALL producers. A spark from one farmer can lead to a wildfire of change for the entire industry.
As our industry evolves, the needs of each producer will evolve as well. Georgia Milk Producers will continue to represent ALL farmers but will only be successful if producers invest in its future. Most states in the Southeast do not have a dairy producer organization like ours. Be proud of it, provide support and feedback to it, and fight to keep it.
Much love to you all and Merry Christmas,
Farrah
