HI-USA ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE NEWS
The last remaining task of HI-USA’s current five-year Strategic Plan is to:
“Examine the present structure and determine the optimum organizational structure required to successfully meet the mission and strategic vision for HI-USA. Some realignment will be required.”
The adoption of any changes to our organizational structure will be the final action taken under our current Strategic Plan, which expires in December, 2010.
Why consider changes to our organizational structure? Basically, changes affecting us, both local and international. Some are as follows:
A growing reliance on hostels for organization-wide funding. Hostels currently provide almost 90% of funding to HI-USA and its councils. Most funding comes from large urban hostels whose locations are determined by tourist preferences, not local need.
Private hostels now compete with HI-USA chartered units. Also, internet reservation services create competing virtual hostel networks. Price competition for basic hostel beds is common in a market where HI-USA markets on quality and mission.
Governmental labor and litigation laws have been expanded and increase operational requirements for hostel operators.
The trend in volunteering is to focus on episodic and short term commitments. Also, volunteering opportunities have moved to the internet with services such as Volunteer Match and Facebook.
The 1994 Strategic Plan elevated programs as a way to increase the value of the hostel stay as a cross-cultural experience. Recreational trips were consequently de-emphasized.
To assess these and other changes which affect HI-USA and the most effective organizational changes to address them, an Optimum Organizational Structure Task Force has been formed of volunteers from councils, hostels and the HI-USA national organization. The 18-member task force will hold meetings during the coming year and present recommendations to the National Council for action in November, 2010.
Updated: 1/1/2010