Change Management in Clubs and Community

Change Management in Clubs and Community

Change Management is not about businesses. It is about people. So change in Clubs and Community are as relevant and important to Change Management as what happens in businesses, politics or public service. Indeed most Clubs and Community have financial challenges, an element of politics and a focus on membership, community and participation.

I have witnessed a complete transformation in the Jersey Rowing Club and having now recognised this I have been thinking about all the small incremental steps which perhaps at first were not obvious or significant but cumulatively created major changes which were visible in the Club House, in the behaviour and attitude of the members and in a significant increase in participation and passion for the club events.

The steps below are not necessarily complete, or in the right order, but as I noticed them.

Step 1 – The Club House was tidied up. White-Boards were erected for ‘race briefing’ and various other changes in layout, including adding bike-racks outside, suggested a new feel for the Club.

Lesson: If you want to make a difference, start by changing the environment so that people notice new paint, new carpets, or what-ever it is that you choose to do.

Step 2 – The Training Boat was patched-up and made sea worthy, and little changes like this were photographed and mentioned on FaceBook. The FaceBook community was embraced by the Club Committee who increasingly used it to share good news stories.

Lesson: Make sure that the changes benefit people and be public about sharing the good news. Let people know what you are doing for them.

Step 3 – Admin was made simpler by allowing direct-debit for memberships and on-line entry for races. Maps and information went on-line and became much easier for both Committee and Membership.

Lesson: Make life easier for people. Reduce the hassle and the barriers. Often success is just making life less difficult!

Step 4 – New software was used to greatly ease the organisation of races and more mathematical logic was applied to the handicapping system which made races closer, fairer and more exciting. The number and frequency of races was increased and courses were made much closer to shore for greater spectator and supporter excitement.

Lesson: Embrace technology where it can help you. Be logical, objective and fair about how you do things: whether that is handicapping races or remunerating people make sure that it does not appear arbitrary.

Step 5 – More people participating created more income and there was investment in new boats and support for novices. The Youth Academy which was already in its infancy became more popular as the club became more vibrant with a greater range of talent, age and competiton in the club as a whole.

Lesson: Use quick wins to fuel the passion for big wins. Start with small changes and end with a legacy.

Step 6 – With more people rowing and spectating there became more interest in helping and volunteering. There was an increased sense of pride. So when the new Club Captain unveiled some honours boards to recognise and pay tribute to his predecessors and those that had worked so hard to make the club what it is, this seemed to be a key milestone having made all the changes but still recognising the value and importance of the past.

Lesson: In times of great change some may feel left behind. Build bridges to link the past and the future and help people celebrate both in the present.

This is Change Management in real life and there are not many examples which are better or more easily seen and understood.

I shall leave the final word to the Club Captain that made all this happen..

1.       It has been deliberate and planned

2.       Make a quick new management statement

3.       Listen to what people complain about and then analyse to see if they are right, often the problem is different to their perception

4.       Understand that leadership is not just good management

5.       Be open, honest and transparent

6.       Don't rush to be offended

7.       If you accept others make mistakes, they'll accept yours

8.       Don't avoid difficult conversations

9.       Translate you ideas into a language that the audience can Understand

10.   Have a vision,  that is smart.

11.   Have the good luck to get an organisation ripe for change, with the right team that just needed a champion to get things going

Live your values. I deliberately don't moan, I try to show an example and hope people follow.

Have you read the 'broken window' psychology that helped change New York?

Clive Russell

Captain Jersey Rowing Club