We have been asked time and again, why Bicycles for Humanity is not a Non Profit, who is it’s board, why it has never spent a cent on administration and why it will never have staff, and overhead of any kind. the answer is simple, we are a movement and really a philosophy. All within the Bicycles for Humanity movement believe that a bicycle can make a difference to so many globally. All withi the movement also believe that efficient models with accountability and empowerment forming the foundation to the chapter/community model allows all to drive it in the direction they feel best. Seth Godin in his blog today, summed it up nicely.
Organization vs. movement vs. philosophy
An organization uses structure and resources and power to make things happen. Organizations hire people, issue policies, buy things, erect buildings, earn market share and get things done. Your company is probably an organization.
A movement has an emotional heart. A movement might use an organization, but it can replace systems and people if they disappear. Movements are more likely to cause widespread change, and they require leaders, not managers. The internet, it turns out, is a movement, and every time someone tries to own it, they fail.
A philosophy can survive things that might wipe out a movement and that would decimate an organization. A philosophy can skip a generation or two. It is often interpreted, and is more likely to break into autonomous groups, to morph and split and then reunite. Industrialism was a philosophy.
The trouble kicks in when you think you have one and you actually have the other.
