Leadership, Membership, and Voice: Civic Associations That Work

May combine two claims.

Leadership team interdependence has a positive and significant effect on participation, and this effect is robust across subsequent models.

“Model 3 shows that leadership team interdependence has a positive and significant effect on participation, and this effect is also robust across subsequent models.”

May combine two claims.

The effect of core activists is substantially reduced in model 5 and nonsignificant in models 6 and 7, as is support activity in model 7.

“However, the effect of core activists is substantially reduced in model 5 and nonsignificant in models 6 and 7, as is support activity in model 7.”

May combine two claims.

The substantial and robust effect of civic and political context on public recognition persists in all models, and there is no evidence that the effect is mediated by internal organizational factors.

“One clear finding here is the substantial and robust effect of civic and political context on public recognition.This relationship persists in all models, and there is no evidence that the effect is mediated by internal organizational factors as we expected.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

There is significant variation among Sierra Club groups that may be shaped by local leadership, organization, resources, or context.

“More important for our study is the fact that there is significant variation among groups that may be shaped by local leadership, organization, resources, or context.”

May combine two claims.

The number of core activists has a significant and positive effect on member engagement, and this effect persists in subsequent models.

“In model 2, we find that the number of core activists has a significant and positive effect on member engagement, and this effect persists in subsequent models.”

May combine two claims.

Core activists play a critical role in generating public recognition; this effect is independent of context and resources and persists when team leadership, fund-raising, and support activity are included.

“We find evidence for the critical role of core activists in generating public recognition; this effect is independent of context and resources and persists when team leadership, fund-raising, and support activity are included.”

May combine two claims.

Financial resources transferred to the group are insignificant for participation, while locally generated revenue is quite important.

“Financial resources transferred to the group are also insignificant, although locally generated revenue is quite important.”

May combine two claims.

Certain kinds of program activity are more likely to yield public recognition while others are more consequential for member engagement.

“Our results show that certain kinds of program activity are more likely to yield public recognition while others are more consequential for member engagement.”

May combine two claims.

ExCom members who are younger report less leader development, while those who have not completed a college degree report greater leader development.

“As model 1 indicates, ExCom members who are younger report less leader development, while those who have not completed a college degree report greater leader development.”

May combine two claims.

The voice of some Sierra Club groups is widely recognized in communities, contributing to public debate, influencing electoral outcomes, and shaping public policies, while the voice of other groups is more muted.

“Finally, the voice of some groups is widely recognized in some communities, contributing to public debate, influencing electoral outcomes, and shaping public policies, while the voice of other groups is more muted.”

May combine two claims.

Available resources matter indirectly for member engagement, and a favorable civic and political context has considerable impact on public recognition.

“Available resources matter indirectly for member engagement, and a favorable civic and political context has considerable impact on public recognition.”

May combine two claims.

The political and civic context has an important impact on public recognition, but it plays no apparent role in engaging members and developing leaders.

“The political and civic context has an important impact on public recognition, but it plays no apparent role in engaging members and developing leaders.”

May combine two claims.

Different kinds of program activity matter for public recognition and member engagement, with recreational outings activities playing a more central role for member engagement than public recognition.

“We should also underscore the result that different kinds of program activity matter for public recognition and member engagement, with recreational outings activities playing a more central role for member engagement than public recognition.”

May combine two claims.

In model 7, core activists, governance, local fund-raising, conservation, and outings activity are positive and significant for member engagement.

“Finally, we find that core activists, governance, local fund-raising, conservation, and outings activity are positive and significant in model 7.”

May combine two claims.

Available resources have some support for importance, but their effects are more modest than proponents would expect and largely indirect, operating through identified organizational factors.

“We find some support for the importance of available resources, but the effects are more modest than proponents would expect, and they are largely indirect-operating through organizational factors that we have identified.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The Sierra Club experiences wide variation in the performance of its local organizations.

“Like most large, national civic associations, the Sierra Club experiences wide variation in the performance of its local organizations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Some Sierra Club leaders gain valuable skills and motivation through their work, while others become discouraged.

“Some leaders gain valuable skills and motivation through their work, while others become discouraged.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Some Sierra Club groups engage hundreds of members in their activities, while others engage fewer than 10 members.

“Some groups engage hundreds of members in their activities, while others engage fewer than 10 members.”

May combine two claims.

Civic associations play a major role in creating civic infrastructure, incubating social movements, and acting as the dominant organizational form into which movements evolve.

“Because of the way they are organized, the purposes for which they are organized, and the ways they exercise influence, civic associations play a major role not only in creating civic infrastructure but in incubating social movements and acting as the dominant organizational form into which movements evolve.”

• cites Skocpol, Ganz, and Munson (2000) sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

Civic associations depend on voluntary efforts of members, decentralize decision making across local units, govern through elected volunteer leaders, and enable members' collective voices to be heard.

“In contrast, civic associations depend upon voluntary efforts of their members, decentralize decision making across local units, govern themselves through elected volunteer leaders, and enable their members' collective voices to be heard.”

• cites Wilson 1973Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Knoke and Prensky 1984Not checked — no full text of the source
• cites Smith 2000 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Leaders play key roles in mobilizing others to devise and implement organizational strategy.

“Leaders play key roles in mobilizing others to devise and implement organizational strategy.”

May combine two claims.

The civic and political context measure was validated by examining objective indicators and membership density; all three measures were highly correlated, and substituting alternative measures in models does not alter substantive conclusions.

“We found variation on all three measures, and they were all are highly correlated with one another (see our methodological appendix A for further details).These alternative measures produce similar results, and substituting them in our models does not alter our substantive conclusions.”

May combine two claims.

Active membership participation deepens the experience of the individual, enhances the capacity of the organization, and can extend its influence within the community by engaging a broader segment of the community.

“Active membership participation not only deepens the experience of the individual and enhances the capacity of the organization but can extend its influence within the community by engaging a broader segment of the community in organizational activities (Knoke 1990b).”

• cites Knoke 1990bNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

An interdependent leadership team's membership is bounded, stable, and includes individuals with an appropriate diversity of skills.

“Its membership is bounded, stable, and includes individuals with an appropriate diversity of skills (Hackman 2002).”

• cites Hackman 2002Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

All three program activity scales are reliable and exhibit high levels of variation.

“All three scales are reliable and exhibit high levels of variation.”

May combine two claims.

The public recognition scale is highly reliable (alpha = .742) and has substantial variation (mean = 2.7; SD = .8).

“The scale is highly reliable (a p .742) and has substantial variation (mean p 2.7; SD p .8).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Within the ExComs that held a self-assessment meeting, 68% of ExCom members completed the survey, as did 51% of all ExCom members.

“Within the ExComs that held a self-assessment meeting, 68% of ExCom members completed the survey, as did 51% of all ExCom members.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Engaged members contribute time, build solidarity, and enhance an organization's legitimacy.

“engaged members contribute time, build solidarity, and enhance an organization's legitimacy;”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Elected leaders must work as an interdependent team to achieve effectiveness.

“Second, elected leaders must work as an interdependent team, and, third, they must turn their resources into outputs.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Sierra Club groups are typical of many other local voluntary associations as well as other task groups and work teams.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Through the exercise of collective voice, civic associations introduce important concerns into public discourse and policy, engaged members develop trust and learn civic skills, and skilled organizational leaders become community leaders beyond the organization itself.

“Through the exercise of collective voice, civic associations introduce important concerns into public discourse and policy, engaged members develop trust and learn valuable civic skills, and skilled organizational leaders become community leaders beyond the organization itself.”

May combine two claims.

Organizations that cultivate working relationships with allies in their communities should be more likely to achieve public recognition, recruit participants, and develop leaders.

“Finally, organizations that cultivate working relationships with allies in their communities should be more likely to achieve public recognition, recruit participants, and develop leaders (Galaskiewicz 1985;Uzzi 1996;Diani and McAdam 2003).”

• cites Galaskiewicz 1985 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Uzzi 1996 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Diani and McAdam 2003Not checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Leaders must turn their resources into outputs to achieve effectiveness.

“Second, elected leaders must work as an interdependent team, and, third, they must turn their resources into outputs.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Sierra Club groups are typical of many other local voluntary associations as well as other task groups and work teams.

May combine two claims.

Environmentalism and the Sierra Club exemplify many characteristics of contemporary movements including reliance on direct membership recruitment, relative affluence of supporters, routine tactics, and centrality of postmaterial values.

“Environmentalism and the Sierra Club exemplify many of the characteristics of contemporary movements that include reliance on direct membership recruitment, the relative affluence of movement supporters, the use of routine or nondisruptive tactics, and the centrality of postmaterial values to their mission (Inglehart 1990;Meyer and Tarrow 1998;Berry 1999;Putnam 2000;Skocpol 2003).”

• cites Inglehart 1990Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Meyer and Tarrow 1998Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Berry 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

In a voluntary civic association, leaders must define and build support for goals as they mobilize members, without authority to require compliance and without employer-provided professional development.

“In a voluntary civic association, leaders must do this work without the authority to require compliance that is available to leaders of public, nonprofit, and for-profit firms whose paid employees produce their goods and services-and without the opportunity for professional development that employers can provide.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

Participation is generally quite low, which should make it easier for chairs to provide valid responses to the participation question.

“Although recall bias is a reasonable concern for a question like this, we note that participation is generally quite low, which should make it easier for chairs to provide valid responses.”

May combine two claims.

All Sierra Club members are assigned to a local group and chapter based on their residence, and most have no face-to-face interaction with their group or chapter.

“All members are assigned to a local group and chapter based on their residence, and most have no face-to-face interaction with their group or chapter (Mundo 1992;Shaiko 1999).”

• cites Mundo 1992Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Shaiko 1999Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Member engagement can create organizational capacity and influence participants and, through them, the broader community.

“Member engagement can create organizational capacity (individual skills, social relationships, shared practices, and economic assets that sustain the organization over time) and influence participants and, through them, the broader community.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The telephone interviews with group and chapter executive committee chairs achieved a 90.6% response rate.

“The Survey Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley, conducted these interviews, and we achieved a 90.6% response rate.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Public recognition advances an organization's goals and stimulates further contributions of time, energy, and money.

“Public recognition advances an organization's goals and stimulates further contributions of time, energy, and money;”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Because individuals spend limited time in their task groups as compared to work settings, civic associations are more likely to suffer from too little rather than excessive interdependence and cohesion.

“Because individuals spend limited time in their task groups (as compared to work settings), civic associations are more likely to suffer from too little rather than excessive interdependence and cohesion.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The Sierra Club exemplifies contemporary civic associations on dimensions of voluntary participation, self-governance through elected leadership, and pursuit of public purposes.

“On these dimensions, the Sierra Club exemplifies contemporary civic associations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The Sierra Club was one of the 10 most covered social movement organizations in the New York Times and Washington Post during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, gaining far more coverage than any other conservation or environmental organization.

“Amenta, Caren, and Olasky (2005b) found that the Sierra Club was one of the 10 most covered social movement organizations in the New York Times and Washington Post during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, gaining far more coverage than any other conservation or environmental organization.”

• cites Amenta, Caren, and Olasky (2005b)Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Core activists coordinate other volunteers, motivate others to participate, and provide administrative support for the organization.

“They coordinate other volunteers unable to make the same time commitment, motivate others to participate, and provide administrative support for the organization.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Organizational efficacy requires a major commitment to leadership development.

“Organizational efficacy thus requires a major commitment to leadership development.”

May combine two claims.

Members who participate in group deliberations are more likely to commit to the outcome of that deliberation, making success more likely.

“Members who participate in group deliberations are also more likely to commit to the outcome of that deliberation, making success more likely (Black and Gregersen 1997).”

• cites Black and Gregersen 1997 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Civic associations must be generative, mobilizing new capacity even as they deploy resources, to avoid decline.

“Civic associations must be generative-in the sense that even as they deploy their resources in current activity, they must mobilize new capacity to avoid decline.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Sierra Club groups are typical of many other local voluntary associations as well as other task groups and work teams.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The support activities scale has alpha = .66, mean = 2.36, SD = .58.

“We constructed a scale based on the chair's response to seven questions about the regularity with which the group carries out specific support activities (a p .66; mean p 2.36; SD p .58).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Civic associations must have a critical mass of highly committed activists to achieve effectiveness in public recognition, member engagement, and leader development.

“First, they require a critical mass of highly committed activists.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Sierra Club groups are typical of many other local voluntary associations as well as other task groups and work teams.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

An interdependent leadership team focuses on achieving a common purpose, organizes tasks interdependently, and establishes clear norms for decision making, commitment, and sharing information.

“an interdependent leadership team focuses on achieving a common purpose, organizes tasks interdependently so as to take full advantage of individual resources, and establishes clear norms with respect to decision making, commitment, and sharing information.”

May combine two claims.

Organizations with greater numbers of core activists are better equipped and more likely to carry out more diverse and viable programs.

“Organizations with greater numbers of core activists are better equipped and more likely to carry out more diverse and viable programs.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Team design affects group performance.

“team design is found to affect group performance”

• cites Thomas 1957 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Miller and Hamblin 1963 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Mesch et al. 1988 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

May combine two claims.

While political context and availability of financial and human resources matter, their effect is more modest than many would expect and is often mediated by organizational and leadership factors.

“We argue that while political context and the availability of financial and human resources matter, their effect is more modest than many would expect and is often mediated by organizational and leadership factors.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Scholars have been relatively silent on how organizational contexts and resources can enhance effectiveness.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Sierra Club's dues share of revenue is greater than that of any other national environmental organization for which comparable data exist.

“This amount is greater than any of the other national environmental organizations for which there are comparable data, such as the National Wildlife Federation; National Audubon Society; Ducks Unlimited; Center for Health, Environment and Justice; Earth Island Institute; and the Rainforest Action Network”

• cites Bosso 2005Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The study tested for all other possible mediation effects between the organizational practices and leadership variables, on the one hand, and the civic and political context and available resources effects, on the other.

“We have tested for all other possible mediation effects between our organizational practices and leadership variables, on the one hand, and the civic and political context and available resources effects, on the other.”

May combine two claims.

Nonparticipating group ExComs had slightly smaller leadership cores than participating ExComs, but no difference on other dimensions such as membership size.

“We found that nonparticipating group ExComs had slightly smaller leadership cores than those that participated, although we found no difference on other dimensions, such as membership size.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Social desirability bias is not a serious concern for the skill-learning measure, because Sierra Club leaders' high education and professional accomplishment make it unlikely that the socially desirable response would be to report high levels of skill learning.

“On initial inspection, social desirability bias may be a concern with this measure.However, given the high levels of education and professional accomplishment that Sierra Club leaders bring to the organization, we question whether the “socially desirable” response to these questions would lead respondents to report high levels of skill learning.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Sierra Club leaders bring high levels of education and professional accomplishment to the organization.

May combine two claims.

Even if past recognition enhances program activity and subsequent public recognition, the feedback loop was set in motion by strong program activity.

“Thus, even if past recognition enhances program activity and subsequent public recognition, the feedback loop itself was, we argue, set in motion by strong program activity.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Only the statistically significant effects and the nonsignificant effects with strong theoretical relevance are discussed.

“We only discuss the statistically significant effects and the nonsignificant effects that have strong theoretical relevance.”

May combine two claims.

Attention to organizational practice provides greater explanatory power and helps specify how context and resources matter while also exerting independent effects on the effectiveness of civic associations.

“Our attention to organizational practice provides greater explanatory power and helps specify the way that context and resources matter while also exerting independent effects on the effectiveness of civic associations.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Communication activities such as advertising upcoming events have minimal variation in the study.

“We also measured communication, such as advertising upcoming events, but these activities are quite common and have minimal variation in our study.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In 2002, dues from regular and life members constituted 28.6% of the Sierra Club's revenue.

“In 2002, dues from regular and life members constituted 28.6% of the Sierra Club's revenue.”

• cites Bosso 2005Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Participation is explained by the presence of committed activists, how well leaders work together as a team, and the strength of their fund-raising and program activity.

“Overall, participation is explained by the presence of committed activists, how well leaders work together as a team, and the strength of their fund-raising and program activity.”

May combine two claims.

The response to the telephone survey and ExCom Leader Survey were remarkably high, minimizing the likelihood of significant nonresponse bias.

“Overall, the response to our telephone survey and ExCom Leader Survey were remarkably high, minimizing the likelihood of significant nonresponse bias.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The study's reliance on cross-sectional data and selection of organizational units from a single organization are limitations.

“These include our reliance on cross-sectional data and the selection of organizational units from a single organization.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Because the study relies on cross-sectional data, claims about causal relationships must be treated with care.

“Given that we rely on cross-sectional data, our claims about the causal relationships must be treated with some care”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The skill development measure is distinguished from a self-efficacy measure, because it is measured retrospectively and in relation to volunteer service.

“Skill development is measured retrospectively and in relation to volunteer service, so our measure is distinguished from a self-efficacy measure that captures an individual's confidence in her capacities.”

May combine two claims.

Core activists, leadership interdependence, fund-raising, and program activity drive mobilization far more than external factors and dramatically improve the ability to explain differences in participation across Sierra Club groups.

“Core activists, leadership interdependence, fund-raising, and program activity drive mobilization far more than external factors and dramatically improve our ability to explain differences in participation across Sierra Club groups.”