4.1 Types of organisations

ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

Grade 4

ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT

Module 8

TYPES OF ORGANISATIONS

A. National and international organisations

Case study

The SOS Children’s Villages

Herman Gmeiner in Imst, Austria founded the first SOS children’s village in 1949. He dedicated himself to help children in need – children who lost their parents and security during the Second World War. With the help of many contributors and volunteers his initiative grew into a worldwide organisation that offered aid to children in need.

It is an independent non-governmental, social organisation. It respects different religions and cultures and operates in countries and communities where their mission can contribute towards development. They operate according to the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights and endeavour to promote these rights worldwide.

They follow a family approach based on the following four principles:

• every child needs a mother;
• every child develops more naturally amongst brothers and sisters;
• the child must experience the safety of an own home;
• the home must be situated within a supporting community (village).

The first South African SOS Children’s Camp was established in 1983 at Ennerdale near Johannesburg, and the second in Mamelodi. In the beginning the villages were situated in black communities, but later spread to mixed areas such as the one in Port Elizabeth. Presently there are six such villages in South Africa, with a seventh one planned in Mpumalanga.

Activity 1

To answer questions on the SOS Children’s Villages [LO 3.2]

Briefly answer the following questions after having studied the passage on the SOS Children’s Villages.

• How many SOS Children’s Villages are there in South Africa?

• When, and by whom, was this organisation established?

• Which important world event led to the establishing of the villages?

• From where does the organisation receive its funds?

• Which four principles are involved when harbouring children in the SOS Children’s Villages?

The SOS Organisation is not limited to South Africa only. There are SOS Children’s Villages around the world. Such an organisation that functions worldwide is called an international organisation . There are many organisations that operate in South Africa only. They are called national organisations . Can you think of a few examples of international organisations ?

The Rotary Club is such an example. Talk to your parents and teacher about the specific aim and operating methods of such an organisation and write a short paragraph with particular reference to the following aspects:

• In which countries do they operate?
• What is the main purpose of the organisation?
• How do they obtain funding?

Consult the following website for more information: www.rotary.org .

CAN YOU TELL WHICH ORGANISATION IS REPRESENTED BY THE FOLLOWING SYMBOL?

+ c

1. Main types of organisations

There are mainly three types of organisations.

C. Organisation and management

An organisation can be managed in different ways. A school, for instance, will be managed differently than a church. On the other hand a church will be managed differently than the local sporting club. Usually a group of people is responsible for management. Each member is responsible for the management of a department of the organisation. We are now going to have a look at your school as an organisation and analyse the management.

CASE STUDY:

Activity 2

To understand the management of the school better [LO 3.1]

MANAGING THE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Form small groups in the classroom. Plan the necessary interviews with role players in order to write a brief report on the management of your school . Pay special attention to task descriptions of the following functionaries .

• the governing body;
• the principal;
• heads of department;
• secretaries;
• parent teacher association;
• students council;
• sport organiser;
• caretaker;

Why does an organisation need a management team?

Activity 3

To establish an organisation [LO 3.1]

D. Class project

• Identify a need for an organisation within your own class.
• Establish an organisation.
• Formulate the aim of your organisation clearly.
• Compile rules (a constitution) for the organisation.
• Have a meeting to appoint a management team.
• Appoint a task to each member of the management team (it will be his/her responsibility).
• Decide how regularly the management team must have meetings.
• Decide how you are going to determine whether or when you have succeeded in your aim.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!

Assessment

LEARNING OUTCOME 3: MANAGERIAL, CONSUMER AND FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The learner will be able to demonstrate knowledge and the ability to apply responsibly a range of managerial, consumer and financial skills.

Assessment Standard

We know this when the learner:

3.1 participates in the management of a classroom project (planning, organising, leading, controlling);

3.2 distinguishes three different types of local businesses.

Memorandum

Page 2

• Learners answer comprehension questions, using passage on p.6 as source of information.
• A discussion with parents or members of the local Rotary Association will be of great help in writing this paragraph well.

Page 3

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Page 9

The teacher helps to divide learners into small groups and then he/she arranges interviews with members of the school governing body. The teacher gives guidance with regard to the kinds of questions that may be asked of the various functionaries.

Page 10

The teacher guides learners in identifying the need for an organisation. (Keep it small – within class context.) Now make use of knowledge gained in this module to launch the organisation.