Retiree Organizations: Surviving vs Thriving

Premise: Retiree organization leadership focuses too much on surviving and not enough on thriving, i.e., keeping the ship afloat rather than reaching a destination. Put another way, retiree organization leadership focuses on “doing well” perhaps at the expense of “doing good.” The distinction lies mostly on impact on membership.

Doing well refers to the organization’s ability to survive, maintain operations, and stay financially stable. This involves covering costs, securing funding, and ensuring that the organization can continue to exist. A retiree organization that is doing well may have effective management and enough resources to meet its basic needs. However, this approach is more about sustainability than impact. The organization might fulfill its mission minimally, ensuring its survival without necessarily creating significant change or value for its constituents.

Doing good, on the other hand, emphasizes the positive impact the organization has on its members. It goes beyond mere survival, focusing on fulfilling its mission in a way that genuinely improves lives, meets the needs of those it serves, and creates meaningful change. A retiree organization that is doing good invests in programs and initiatives that make a real difference, prioritizes the well-being of its members, and strives to achieve its goals with passion and commitment.

In essence, doing well is about the organization’s internal success, while doing good is about its external impact and the positive outcomes it creates.

It is hoped that this conference encourages retiree organization leadership to spend more time thinking about thriving and not just surviving.