Promoting Healthy Relationships With Affiliates: Tips From Management Experts

Make decisions jointly.

If considering an organizationwide change, involve representatives from affiliates from around the country, says Alan Tuck, a management consultant at the Bridgespan Group. Affiliates will advocate for the change if they were serious participants in the planning.

Clarify roles.

In any new project, be clear on what the group is trying to accomplish and the specific roles expected of the national and local parties, says Mr. Tuck. Spell out how each player serves and reinforces the other.

Explain data collection.

Make affiliates understand why collecting data isn’t just busy work but a tool to improve programs or attract new donors, says Mr. Tuck. Make any information collected available for local fundraising or marketing.

Emphasize the spirit rather than the letter of the law.

When describing a rule or a project to affiliates, try to connect it to three or four guiding principles that are part of the organization’s philosophy and mission, says Jamie Notter, co-author of the organizational-management book Humanize. This gives local leaders the autonomy they crave while also keeping the organization’s values consistent. “Give people guidance,” says Mr. Notter, “but let them run with it.”

Understand boundaries.

Local affiliates need to know the limits of their authority, and national leaders need to recognize how their voices will strongly affect local chapters, says Erik Daubert, a nonprofit-management consultant in Durham, N.C. For example, policies and procedures for how and when to talk to the community and the news media are vital to a successful organizationwide communication strategy.

Communicate.

“Rules without relationships equal rebellion,” Mr. Daubert says.

Nip disputes in the bud.

“If an affiliate or headquarters does something you think is wrong,” says Mr. Notter, “you need to talk, you need to move toward it, and while it’s still small.”