An evaluation of governance structures and systems in non-governmental organisations: the case of local non-governmental organisations in Mutare.

Abstract

Governance is one of the most important facets that determine whether an organisation succeeds or not. However, there are a number of factors within the governance structures and systems of local Non Governmental Organisations that are mitigating against the proper running of the organisation. The study sought to evaluate governance structures in the local NGOs in Mutare.The study utilized purposive sampling in coming up with the respondents because the researcher sought to look for specific individuals or organizations that had particular interests in the topic at hand. Key informant interviews and questionnaires were used to mine data from the chosen participants. The data was analyzed using qualitative method and responses were recorded using thematic areas. From the study it came out that the nature and composition of governance structures and systems are almost the same for the organisations that have been included in the study.There are many challenges that the internal governance structures face that are becoming almost common in the day to day running of most local organizations, for instance lack of incentives for board members, lack of autonomy of the management board, lack of crucial expertise and experience just to mention but a few. These challenges emanate from different factors that include the global recession that has affected funding, poor training for board members as well as ownership claims from founding directors who do not want to follow proper governance procedures. However, most of the organizations in the study are making frantic efforts to try and rectify the plethora of challenges that they are facing because it is now starting to knock some senses in most of the governance structures in organizations that a sound governance structure directly contributes to a lot of benefits, funding being one of them since most local organizations are poorly funded. The researcher established that coping strategies employed by organizations are both short termed and long term but to a lesser extent could not do much to sustain the governance structures that they have for the benefit of the organization. Some of the organizations do fundraising, some also have some capacity building initiatives that they do to capacitate their internal governance structures, while others change the internal governance members, time and again, to bring in new and fresh ideas for the benefit of the organization. The study recommends that there be further study on the most appropriate governance structures for local organizations who have little funding and that organizations should clearly establish the structures and systems that fit the situation that the particular organization is in financially and socially to avoid a one size fits all approach.