Transparency.

When I was a teenager, a phenomenal children’s education program was launched on tv, and to this day, it is one of the most ingenious learning shows I know. It was created by three well-known comedians, loosely based on Sesame Street approach of play and fun, but otherwise completely original.  The name of this show was “Fem Myror är fler är Fyra Elefanter”, which translates to ”Five Ants are More than Four Elefants”.

One of the recurring sketches – which also included an alphabet song and a counting song – was a game where two of the actors, the straight-laced, follow-the rules guy with slicked black hair, and the woman who generally was used as the ‘interpreter (so often women’s roles…) of whatever conflict or other confusion generated, was introduced to a guessing game by the third character, a happy-go-lucky and somewhat disheveled guy who loved to play tricks on the other two. The game consisted of four objects displayed of which only three were connected, and the other two would guess which ones should ‘go’. With much excitement the game usually ended up with the team of two not being able to figure out which belonged, and then being all upset because the rules were convoluted and arbitrary. But, for a child it most often made total sense why three of the objects belonged and the fourth should be “gone, gone, gone!”

The allusion to this show engenders nonprofit organizations on many levels. Not only are many organizations not transparent with what belongs, who are together, and why, they are also not clear on rules and what is actually the outcome if you choose ‘the three objects’ that do belong. 

In a nonprofit, it’s often rolling the roulette every time somethings new is introduced, because often you don’t know how ir got there, or why it’s there, if it will ultimately blend in or if you should get rid of it immediately to keep a semblance of order. The steps for incorporating something new is often not clearly stated, or at worst, bungled. The longevity or impact of the object could also depend on who introduced the object, the new idea or rule. Perhaps a Board member has a ‘great idea” or in some other way is compelled to make a mark that serves that person more than the organization, even though the introduction is made with the best of intentions. I believe we have all been there. 

Transparency in non-profits is a never-ending game. Unfortunately, transparency in decision-making as well as in execution, are often the first to be sacrificed on the altar of conformity, and even in direct fear of being the ‘squeaky wheel’ to some more powerful entity in the organization. 

Transparency serves many purposes if it’s not adhered to, but it serves a higher purpose if it is. To be transparent is an act of bravery and something that more nonprofits should take on.  

‘Five Ants…’ presents an analogy of how rules are invisible to the eye, and a call for letting daylight in on those areas that are still in the shadows. Not only is transparency essential in allowing good work to shine; it is crucial in creating trust with supporters and stakeholders as well as employees and volunteers, and ultimately, the very survival of the nonprofit sector as a player in caring for and changing people’s lives.