WESSA Phase 1 report to HHCT_28.10.2021

o The youth in particular are not interested in formal associations, preferring to support causes and being actively involved o It is therefore unrealistic to expect that formal membership will grow substantially o The challenge is to optimally mobilize WESSA’s support base (‘the WESSA family’) by providing them with purpose, identity and recognition in a cost-effective way.

Areas for improvement, according to stakeholders, are financial sustainability, inclusivity, and relationships (Figure 8 and Table 7).

Financial sustainability Inclusivity Relationships Communication Focus Governance Conservation act ion Partnerships Visibi lity, brand and profile Human resource management

0

1

2

3

4

5

Figure 8. Key areas for improvement, according to the Board, Exco, members' representatives and WESSA staff Table 7. Areas for improvement according to WESSA stakeholders

WESSA stakeholder WESSA Board

Example statement

Category

Increase amount of donor funding - bequests

Financial sustainability

Human resource management

Put the right people in the right positions doing the right work

Involve younger people in membership

Inclusivity

Strengthen activism

Conservation action Conservation action

WESSA EXCO

Elevate 'pure conservation work' - bring it forward

Strengthen governance at every level

Governance Relationships

Build trust. “We're not stable” - healing the damage.. Communicate a common conceptual understanding about what conservation means We've lost track. No longer involved with direct conservation work - out of that completely - too much focus on youth development to detriment of the rest Unite organization around a common culture and 'language' Inform WESSA staff about 'what we do' - know ourselves Previous relationships that have been diluted -> credibility Strengthen trust between staff and top management Become more visible and prominent. Not a strong env voice anymore. Too corporate. Divisions

Communication

Focus Focus

Communication Partnerships Relationships Visibility, brand and profile

WESSA members and supporters

Stop working in silos

Governance

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