The importance of coming together in times of crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting organizations and people all over the world. Many are forced to transition to remote workspaces or host online versions of their events. But when it comes to strategy and shifting focus, there is no roadmap to follow. Each nonprofit must determine how to drive progress toward their mission during these unsettling times, even when it might be difficult to connect the mission with the pressing issues at hand.

As the Director of the Open Wing Alliance (OWA), a global coalition of 80 organizations united in the mission to end the abuse of chickens, I am often in touch with leaders of nonprofits around the world. Members of the OWA connect virtually and share resources, strategies, and insights. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have found an even more pressing need to stay connected.

We’re all learning how to effectively operate in this new climate. To our coalition groups, we are providing comfort and support by reminding them they aren’t alone in this struggle while rallying the support of this larger network of brilliant activists who are trying to navigate a new reality.

Below are a few key learnings that have come out of OWA group discussions about navigating these unsettling times. For organizations with staff that are feeling lost or alone right now, we hope these learnings serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting one another through hard times.

Planning ahead is crucial for the success of any organization. However, this can be nearly impossible during a global crisis, especially when the landscape is rapidly changing. During these times, leadership teams need to accept the fact that their plans might change—and that’s OK! Creating deadlines to make decisions on future events or campaigns can help you maintain control. For example, if you have an event planned for September that will take at least three months to plan, prepare to have plans finalized by June.

It’s also important to be prepared in case one of your team members becomes ill and is unable to work for an extended period. Work with your teams to develop contingency plans so that you know how to handle these scenarios.

Often, taking a break from your typical programs is a necessary part of strategizing. Strategic shifts require a lot of planning and consideration, including weighing the benefits and risks of your options as the situation continues to develop. Staff at mission-driven organizations often feel guilty for not reaching their goals or postponing major campaigns or events. However, when things aren’t exactly business as usual, sometimes the smartest decision is to press the pause button and take the time needed to reevaluate. In the long run, this is more effective than doing something that could potentially harm your organization.

Take advantage of the downtime within your organization to tackle internal projects, get organized, streamline communication, and enhance your training materials. Now’s the time to take on those projects that have been on the backburner for months. Focusing on these important, often neglected tasks will allow you to be more efficient and prepared when the time is right to resume your programs.

It’s normal for people to feel they lack direction or have difficulty focusing if their goals have been shifted. Remaining compassionate and understanding right now is crucial. Remind your teams that you are there to support them, encourage them to take some time off if they need it, and help them reprioritize their workload by offering more guidance. It’s also helpful to provide more opportunities for team-building and remote connection. At The Humane League, we have daily “TeaHL Time” meetings with a variety of fun prompts for staff to connect with their colleagues and chat about non-work related topics. On my team, everyone shares three highlights or things they are grateful for every Friday.

Finally, leaders should be fully transparent about how the crisis is impacting the organization and staff, including what internal and external changes are being made.

Remain sensitive to the pressing issues at hand, and strike a balance between focusing on current emergencies and the organization’s mission. In certain cases, this requires putting some programs on hold that could be considered inappropriate and experimenting with initiatives that are better adapted to the changing landscape. However, determining which new tactics will most effectively align with the current state of the world can be a challenge. To help with this, list the best and worst outcomes for your organization in the next 6 -12 months and decide which initiatives would clearly align with each scenario.

As activists, we are familiar with finding a silver lining in difficult situations. For example, many animal advocates are using this opportunity to make the connection between our relationships with animals and global pandemics or to clearly state that factory farms pose a massive threat to public health by acting as breeding grounds for deadly viruses.

To ensure coalition members are plugged into our supportive network, the OWA is facilitating Zoom meetings between organizations in different regions. The goal of this is to share how the crisis is impacting each coalition partner’s country and their work, as well as brainstorm new strategies. We also created a Slack channel to house COVID-19 discussions, and provide a space for organizations to get feedback from a large group with a wide range of perspectives. These conversations have led to the development of new resources and initiatives that will ultimately help us pursue our shared goal.

Even with all of these tips, there may still be times where we feel overwhelmed. That’s OK. When I’m feeling down, I take comfort in knowing I have a network to reach out to. Messaging someone or setting up a quick video call with someone you’re close with can go a long way in helping us feel less alone. Don’t hesitate to lean on your community during tough times or to reach out and check in on folks who might be struggling. Let’s remember that we’re all here for one another.