Document Type

Article

Abstract

When a community-minded organization (CMO) engages in community outreach projects only for the sake of appearances or self-promotion, it misses valuable opportunities for relationship building and economic development, and may be doing more harm than good. Likewise, when CMOs provide leadership development for a select few rather than all employees, opportunities for their own growth are missed. In contrast, intentional and intersectional community outreach and leadership development efforts benefit the individual, the organizations, and the community. For organizations that have participated in community outreach for years, a culture shift is needed to move from doing what the organization wants to do, to doing what develops the organization’s people and develops the benefitting community. This takes intentional planning on the part of the CMO. In this article leadership development and community outreach are examined together to open a discussion for CMOs to begin envisioning a framework that makes them stronger by developing both their communities and their employees. This article seeks to advance research and discussion on the topic of community outreach intersected with leadership development.

Publication Date

2022

Publication Title

Organization Development Review

Publisher

Organization Development Network

Volume

54

Issue

2

Start Page No.

33

End Page No.

39

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