Society Leaders Research Articles

Otolaryngology Department and Society Leadership: Evaluation of Diversity in a Nationwide Study.

Diversity in medicine positively influences healthcare delivery. As we aim to make otolaryngology more diverse, it is essential to analyze our current leadership. Observational study. A total of 262 department chairs and chiefs, residency program directors, and assistant and associate directors from 117 otolaryngology residency programs as well as 92 society leaders from nine otolaryngology national societies from 2010 to 2020 in the United States are included in this study. The position, academic rank, name, gender, inferred race (based on name and image), and h-index are collected and recorded from publicly available data. Fisher's exact test, unpaired t tests, and analysis of variance tests are used. The ethno-racial breakdown of all otolaryngology residency leaders is as follows: 78.63% non-Hispanic (NH) White, 16.03% NH Asian, 2.29% Middle Eastern, 1.91% NH Black, and 1.15% Latinx. Male gender is found to be a predictor of full professorship title (P < .0001) with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.066. NH White male is also a predictor of full professorship (P < .0001) with an OR 3.05. When comparing h-index, males and females differ (P < .0001) across all residency leadership positions. There is a higher h-index among full professors compared to non-full professors (P < .0001). The ethno-racial breakdown of society leaders is 84% NH White, 11% NH Asian, 2% NH Black, 2% Latinx, and 1% Middle Eastern. In conclusion, otolaryngology leadership has an under-representation of women and certain ethno-racial groups. Continued efforts should be made to diversify our specialty's leadership. NA Laryngoscope, 132:1729-1737, 2022.

Indigenous Feminism and Black Women Leadership

For decades, feminism has been a concept associated with women's freedom from patriarchy, and this movement started in 1848 in Europe. Several political and social movements have fought on the side of women for gender equality over decades. In the 1960s, radical feminism grew because of the women's liberation movement, which continued well into the 1970s and 1980s. Over the years, feminism has given a voice to women wanting to unshackle themselves from patriarchy. This conceptual article examines indigenous feminism, which is an alternative to Eurocentric feminism. Amongst others, the indigenous feminists perceive their mandate as one of decolonizing feminism, thus looking beyond patriarchy as the sole problem women face in society. Indigenous feminists also recognize race, class and colonial history as among the major obstacles to women's advancement. Using theory synthesis, the article found that indigenous feminism embraced by womanism reflects how African women could contest for social justice and equality while utilizing certain values and principles. The conclusions demonstrate that women from the Global South will be empowered by African philosophies as they become strong leaders in society. Furthermore, the conclusions point out that empowered African women would be able to confront social injustices that stunt their growth as leaders in society.

Analisis Kriminologi Keterlibatan Perempuan Dan Anak Dalam Tindak Pidana Terorisme Di Indonesia

Related to terrorism, in general, these crime were committed by men, but there is interesting fact in the case of suicide bombing that occurred in Surabaya in 2018, in which the suicide bombing was not only committed by men but also involves women and children. The involvement of women and children in terrorism, such as the suicide bombing in Surabaya, is a new mode used by terrorists to deceive the security apparatus, because this involvement was previously undetected so that the security apparatus could not predict it could be happen. The purpose of this research is to find out what are the factors that cause the involvement of women and children in terrorism and to find out how prevention efforts can be made. The research method used in this research is an empirical juridical research method through a statutory approach and a conceptual approach. The results of this research explain that the factors that cause the involvement of women and children in terrorism in Indonesia are due to internal and external factors. Prevention efforts that can be done are by the State Defense efforts through Citizenship Education which are further carried out through the Development of State Defense Awareness such as Counter Radicalization, Counter Ideology, Counter Narrative, Education, Society and Society Leaders Role and Formation of Society Programs.

Race, Gender, and International Medical Graduates: Leadership Trends in Academic Surgical Societies

Non-White and female surgeons are underrepresented in academic surgery faculty. We hypothesized that the leadership of major U.S. regional and national general surgery societies reflects these same racial and gender disparities. We suspected that attending a medical school or residency program with academic prestige would be more common for surgeons from underrepresented backgrounds. Race/ethnicity and gender of the 2020-21 executive council members and 2012-21 society presidents of 25 major general surgery societies (7 regional, 18 national) was assessed. Academic prestige was determined by reputational top 25 programs, identified using U.S. News and World Report and Doximity rankings for medical school and residency, respectively. Surgical society executive council members (n=204) were predominantly White (75.5%) and male (67.2%). The 50 non-White council members were Asian (n=37), Black (n=7), and Latinx (n=6). 14 (6.9%) were international medical graduates (IMGs). 56.4% attended a school or program ranked in the Top 25 (n=115). Surgical society presidents 2012-21 (n=242) have been mostly White (87.6%) and male (83.4%). Non-White, male surgical society presidents were Asian (n=13), Black (n=9), and Latino (n=6). Of the 41 female surgery society presidents, 92.7% were White, 7.3% (n=3) Asian, and none Black or Latina. 13 were IMGs (5.3%). 55.0% of society presidents attended Top 25 (n=133) schools or programs. The three non-White, female presidents all attended Top 25 schools/programs (100%). Of the 15 unique individuals who were male, non-White presidents, 12 attended top 25 schools or programs (80%). Women, non-White surgeons, and IMGs are underrepresented in U.S. surgical society leadership. Increasing racial diversity in U.S. surgical society leadership may require intentionality in mentorship and sponsorship, particularly for surgeons who did not attend prestigious schools or programs.

Gender Equity in Pediatric Hospital Medicine: What History Tells Us.

Gender Equity in Pediatric Hospital Medicine: What History Tells Us.

The Risk Communication of COVID-19 Disaster Community Based Through “Keep the Village” Program

The spread of COVID-19 is increasingly massive and it involves local transmission. Facing these issues, community-based risk reduction is truly needed. This study aims to describe the society-based risk communication for COVID-19 disaster prevention through “Keep the Village” program, called Jaga Kampung. This study used a qualitative approach by collecting data through interviews with COVID-19 response volunteers in the Jaga Kampung program in Riau Province, Indonesia. This study finds out that the Jaga Kampung program has the aim to prevent the spread of COVID-19, maintain security stability, and protect people's food needs. The implementation of these activities involves the collaboration of communication actors from the police and the army who works in the village, village leader, village health worker, society leader, and volunteer. The officers of Jaga Kampung convey education and socialization of health risks humanistic and persuasively to villagers and newcomers. Communication is done through face-to-face, outdoor media, and social media such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. This community-based risk communication can increase society's participation in the prevention of COVID-19 so that the health and socio-economy of society is maintained.

Leveraging diversity and inclusion in the polymer sciences: the key to meeting the rapidly changing needs of our world

Abstract Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) will be key to unlocking and accelerating sustainable polymer-based solutions to meet the needs of our rapidly growing world. To achieve faster innovation, we must increase team performance by embracing diversity, ensuring systems and processes within polymer science are equitable and through increased emotional intelligence (EQ), fostering inclusion and belonging. In examining the participation of women and other historically marginalized groups in publishing, intellectual property filings and society leadership, this paper highlights the gaps and the extent of the work needed to close those gaps. Additionally, we provide an opportunity for members of the polymer science community to provide their perspective on DEIB. Polymer science is for everyone and it is imperative for all to be able to make full and meaningful contributions to advance the field. To this end, we provide recommendations for cultivating a more inclusive culture in all facets of the polymer sciences.

Happiness, Skillful Actions, and Good Morality

This paper aims to answer the simple question: what is the concept of happiness according to Buddhism? How significant are the skilful actions linked to good morality to produce happiness, and how do the unskilful actions performed by a clouded mind cause unhappiness.Those who are at peace in the present moment might feel a glimpse of happiness just by reading the current sentences. On the other hand, those who are not at ease right now might wish to dispel their uneasiness right away. What are the elements that contribute to our happiness according to Buddhism? Human life aims to find happiness and avoid suffering.Many people in our society and spiritual leaders have laid down many ways to happiness, but nowadays, humans wonder what true happiness is. We want to attain happiness, but many times we behave in the opposite direction. If we can understand the essence of happiness, then the chance to realize it will require little effort.

8.M. Round table: The Why, the How, and the Tensions in the response of European SPHs to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

With its repeated waves of infection and a high death toll in countries all over the world, the COVID-19 pandemic places the public health (PH) discipline at the centre of public attention. Thus, it is a crucial ethical requirement to activate all available resources of PH knowledge and skills, nationally as well as internationally, in response to the pandemic. Universities, Schools and Departments of Public Health (SPHs) hold important resources in terms of theoretical and practical competences. In order that PH professionals will have the necessary competences to deliver the Essential Public Health Operations (EPHOs) to combat health threats, e.g. pandemics, the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) has developed competency systems and lists for the PH workforce as well as for the academic knowledge and skills foundation of PH in its broadest sense. The membership of ASPHER thus represents a substantial resource of PH knowledge and skills, enabling the SPHs to play a critical role also in the COVID-19 pandemic. To develop the knowledge and skills resources further, ASPHER however set up a COVID-19 Task Force to describe and analyse the many-sided dynamic challenges, which the pandemic presents to society and thus to the role of PH institutions and professionals. Under normal circumstances, the central roles of the SPHs are teaching and research and, to a more limited extent, health communication to the public and giving advice to society's decision makers. The question however is, whether and to what extent these crucial resources actually are activated across the walls of the schools during the present pandemic. To throw light on this, the Task Force performed a survey on the actual, concrete role of ASPHER's members in the pandemic during 2020. Half (59) of the member SPHs responded. Eight out ten had engaged in both COVID-19 related teaching and communication to the public, and in COVID-19 related research as well as giving advice to national, regional and local decision makers. The target groups of teaching were PH students as well as students within other health disciplines. Health communication to the public was performed by use of a series of classic and modern media techniques. Both planned and published anti-COVID-19 research was reported. A large variation of subthemes was considered and employed within each of the four main themes, so that all ten Essential Public Health Operation (EPHO) main categories were represented. Consultancy was practiced in various international, national and local contexts and with effect on decision making. The main objective of the present panel discussion is to show and discuss, how European SPHs responded concretely to the COVID-19 pandemic through 2020, as shown in all main parts of their activities. Examples will be contact tracing (Dublin SPH), testing (Olomouc SPH), vaccination (Milan SR-SPH), training (Granada SPH), and development of mathematical simulation models (Copenhagen SPH).Speakers/Panelists Mary Codd University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Alena Petráková Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia Carlo Signorelli University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy Alberto Fernández Ajuria Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, Granada, Spain Theis Lange Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark Key messages Thinking out of the box: SPHs adjusted quickly to the demand shaped by the pandemic.This counts for education/training, communication with the public, research, and providing consultancy/advice to national, regional and local society leaders.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) SOCIALIZATION OF SASAK TRADITIONAL SOCIETY’S SUBHANALE WOVEN FABRIC IN CENTRAL LOMBOK

This community service activity is motivated by the work of indigenous peoples in the form of Subhanale woven fabric that do not yet have intellectual property rights (copyright). With the progress of the times and the incessant amount of information, it is very necessary for the Sasak indigenous people to protect the works of indigenous peoples that already exist from generation to generation, so that this community service activity has the aim of (1) providing an understanding of the importance of maintaining their creations, (2) encouraging traditional society leaders and village officials to immediately register the intellectual property rights (copyright) of Subhanale woven fabric.This activity is a regulations socialization so that indigenous peoples know that the intellectual property rights (copyright) of their works can be protected by the government. It can be seen from the artworks owned by the Sasak people in the form of woven fabrics with the Subhanale pattern which are very popular with the public even from abroad. Because there is no intellectual property right (copyright) for the work, it is vulnerable to be claimed by other parties who are not entitled to it. The conclusion of this socialization activity received a positive response from the community, which was marked by understanding the copyright importance of their work and will immediately manage the intellectual property rights (copyright) with support from local academics and other related parties so that indigenous peoples get legal recognition of their artworks.

Are Women Adequately Represented in Leadership Roles in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery? A 10-year Retrospective Evaluation of Society Leadership and Journal Editorial Boards

Surgical specialties have traditionally been considered male-dominated fields within medicine. Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) is also a surgical subspecialty whose practitioners largely comprise of men. While many factors contribute to the perpetuation of these trends, past studies have identified the significance of female role models in the decision to pursue a surgical field for female students. The authors thus sought to analyze female representation within key societies and journal editorial boards that play central roles in the academic advancement, organization, and clinical practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the United States (US).A retrospective review of 2 major OMS journals, the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (JOMS) and Oral Surgery Oral Medicine Oral Pathology Oral Radiology (OOOO), and six OMS professional and academic societies, including the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ACOMS), American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS), American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons (AACMFS), OMS Foundation, Osteo Science Foundation, was conducted. The names and genders of the members of the editorial board and board of directors between 2011 and 2020 were acquired from their respective sources. Only verified OMSs were included, while non-OMS clinicians and administrative staff were excluded from the final count. OMSs from countries other than the US were also excluded. A line of best fit was determined using simple linear regression to demonstrate temporal trends in female representation in editorial boards and society leadership. The proportion of female OMS faculty and female OMS residents was obtained from AAOMS. Either the Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare the proportion of female representation in editorial boards and society leadership with the proportion of full-time female OMS faculty.During the study period of the past 10 years, female representation on the editorial boards of OMS journals grew from 4.5% in 2011 to 10.6% in 2020 (Figure 1). A growth from 3.0% in 2011 to 10.3% in 2020 was similarly observed for the proportion of women in society leadership (Figure 2). The proportion of women in editorial boards (8.9%) did not differ from that of full-time female OMS faculty (11.4%) in 2019 (P = .80). Similarly, female representation on society leadership (10.5%) was not different from that of full-time female OMS faculty in 2019 (P = .84).Although there are significantly fewer female surgeons on OMS journal editorial boards and the boards of OMS societies compared to that of male surgeons, the proportion of female representation in these organizations has been growing over the past decade. Currently, the authors found that women seem to be adequately represented in editorial boards and society leadership in the OMS field.

Trajectories of Civil Society Leaders in Italy: Individual Careers, Organizational Structures, and Ideological Affiliations

The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between individual leaders’ career trajectories and organizational structure and identity in Italian civil society organizations (CSOs) active at national level. The analysis in this qualitative study draws on two sets of data, semi-structured interviews with leaders on their career trajectories and their understanding of what it takes to become a leader of a CSO and short biographies of leaders’ career trajectories. Three main representational logics are idenitified: within: multi-level, within: member-organization, and outside: supporting organization. The two first logics are based on a trajectory within the organizations either departing from the local and regional levels of the same organizations or within one or more member organizations. The third logic is based on a trajectory outside the organization that is marked by the ideological affiliation of the president through leading positions in other organizations within the same movement or field.

Fifteen-year trends in participation of women in presentation and leadership positions in the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery, 2006 to 2020

ObjectiveThe implementation of integrated vascular surgery training programs was recently shown to be associated with an increase in women entering the field. However, whether this has precipitated a subsequent increase in the active participation of women in academic vascular societies remains unclear. We sought to examine the trends of academic inclusion of women vascular surgeons and surgical trainees over the past 15 years at the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery (SAVS). MethodsScientific programs for annual meetings of the SAVS, and program matriculation statistics from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, were reviewed for the period of 2006 to 2020. Yearly rates and 3-year averages of conference and society participation and vascular surgery training program matriculation rates were calculated and compared with proportion testing. Spearman correlation testing was used to compare trends, with ρ ≥0.600 defined as a strong correlation. ResultsExamining 3-year means, the average number of women authors per SAVS abstract increased from 0.78 to 1.42 over the course of the study period (P < .001), and the overall rate of women authors steadily increased from 12.8% to 21.5% (P < .001). Although this remains less than the proportion of women matriculating into vascular surgery programs in 2019 (29.3%; P = .007), the upward trend of women entering vascular surgery overall, and particularly vascular surgery fellowship, strongly correlates with the average number of women authors on abstracts at SAVS (ρ = 0.709 and ρ = 0.737, respectively). The percentage of women presenting authors increased from 9.7% to 28.4% (P = .004), but there was no increase in the percentage of women senior authors (10.1% to 9.6%; P = .92). In the 15-year period, only one abstract of 347 (0.3%) had full authorship by women vs 35.1% with full authorship by men (P < .001). Although the increase of women matriculating into vascular surgery programs over the study period did not correlate with the increase of women in senior leadership positions (ρ < 0.600), there was an increase in the number of women in committee chair positions (0.0% to 25.9%; P = .005), which correlated strongly with increasing society membership (ρ = 0.716). Additionally, there was an increase in women holding executive council positions from 0% to 10.0% (P = .08), although this was not statistically significant. ConclusionsParticipation of women authoring and presenting papers at the SAVS has increased over the past 15 years at a rate that strongly correlates with the increasing rate of women entering vascular surgery training programs. It is important that society leadership opportunities continue to parallel this trend as we seek to further improve diversity in vascular surgery.

Interested in Society Leadership?

CSA NewsVolume 66, Issue 10 p. 24-25 MEMBERSHIP Interested in Society Leadership? Seeking Members to Serve: Divisions, Sections, Boards, and Presidents First published: 21 September 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/csan.20579Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume66, Issue10October 2021Pages 24-25 RelatedInformation

Changing cultural norms through education: voices from Ghanaian women principals

PurposeThis study examined how cultural factors positively or negatively influenced women's access to the principal role and influenced their leadership experiences. The researchers used Hofstede (2011) six dimensions of national culture as a conceptual framework. The Hofstede (2011) model of national culture consists of six dimensions (6D) that the investigators utilized to interpret and code the data. This framework allowed the researchers to comprehend the impact of cultural norms and values on women leaders and how women leaders work within those behavioral patterns. Utilizing this framework to map women educational leaders' experiences provided nuances in the dimensions within this region.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative research paradigm and a phenomenological approach, this study explored the experiences of 12 women principals in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem District (KEEA) of the Central Region of Ghana. The phenomenological approach is represented in cultural and social experiences. It enables researchers to describe the meaning of individuals' experiences (Creswell, 2007). This approach helped the researchers describe the participants' perceptions and experiences as Ghanaian women school leaders. This study sought to answer the following research questions: What are the experiences of women principals in Ghanaian K-12 public schools? What challenges do these women encounter in their work as principals? What support exists for these women to effectively execute their leadership roles? A criterion sampling was used to select principals. Data collection included one-on-one in-depth interviews and field notes.FindingsFindings revealed that these women navigated cultural norms and beliefs in order to exercise their own leadership style and pursue their careers in education. These women leaders were also able to gradually change the teachers' and community members' mindsets on women and leadership.Research limitations/implicationsThis study took place with 12 women within one district in one region of Ghana. While this is a limited sample, this study is significant because it increased one's understanding of how women leaders in patriarchal societies navigate cultural beliefs and norms in order to execute their responsibilities. This study informs educational reforms on gender equity and leadership preparation programmes and sheds light on culturally informed leadership practices unique to women.Practical implicationsBased on the study's findings, the researchers offer some recommendations for practitioners, policy makers and scholars.Social implicationsGiven the global call to promote equity in all aspects of social, economic and public life, the question is not whether we should support women educational leaders but rather how we can better support these professionals navigate cultural norms embedded in patriarchal and traditional societies.Originality/valueCurrently, majority of scholarly articles written on the experiences of women educational leaders come from South Africa (Diko, 2014; Mestry and Schmidt, 2012; Moorosi, 2010). In Ghana, quantitative studies have focused on factors accounting for gender disparity in education leadership in specific districts (Segkulu and Gyimah, 2016) and stereotypical perceptions of women principals (Pwadura, 2016). However, there are a limited number of qualitative studies that explore the experiences of women principals. This study is designed to fill this knowledge gap by employing a qualitative design to explore the experiences of 12 women school principals located in the KEEA municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Thus, the gap in knowledge that this study seeks to bridge is both methodological – in terms of the use of a qualitative approach – and topical – in terms of exploring the experiences of female principals.

Kinship and emergence of political leaders in Pakhtun society: A comparison of ANP and JUI-F in electoral politics in Charsadda, Pakistan

The purpose of this paper is to describe kinship system and its relationship with the emergence of political leaders in district Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This study elaborates the role of kinship in the emergence of leaders at micro levels i.e., Village Council, Union Council, Tehsil Council and District Council. The study analyses the impact of kinship in the electoral politics of Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Fazlur Rehman (JUI-F). The ANP leaders and followers are mostly the local inhabitants of Charsadda having large number of kin members. While on the other hand, the JUI-F leaders and followers are mostly immigrants of the other districts of KP having limited number of kin members in tehsil Charsadda. However, at micro level both the parties’ leaders and their family members attempt to make fusion against the distant relatives in order to win the election. This paper describes that how the number of kin members directly affects the victory and defeat of ANP and JUI-F? This study argues that kinship and neighbourhood have significant impact in the emergence of leaders at micro level. Qualitative research method was used and the tools for data collection were participant observation, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.

Bylaws

The SEG Board of Directors has proposed replacing the article in SEG Bylaws that provides for indemnification of Society leaders, representatives, and staff with simpler language. A new Article XIV on indemnification would give SEG all indemnification powers available to it under Oklahoma law.

액티브 시니어를 위한 패션 중심 색채교육 프로그램 개발

With the increase in human lifespans and the consequent emergence of an aging society, senior citizens aged 50 years or older, unlike the elderly in the past, are receiving attention as new leaders in modern society and the economy. These people prefer an experience-centered culture and art education to doing exercise or conducting dynamic activities. It seems that programs involving color that employ elements that can be useful in their daily lives, rather than general education to increase their knowledge, must be established. Accordingly, this study includes the goal of developing a program that combines elements and colors according to the interests of active seniors who are keenly interested in appearance and fashion. A color education program was designed by combining the analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation (ADDIE) program—an instructional systems design model proposed by Seels and Richy (1944)—with the discipline-based art education (DBAE) approach created by Eisner. The fashion-centered color education program the was developed consisted of programs titled “Personal Color Education Program,” “Fashion Color Styling Education Program,” “Fashion Products Art Coloring Education Program,” and “Interior Color Coordination Education Program.” To valuate the program’s effects, two 45-minute sessions of color education per week were taught to 10 active seniors in their 50s and 60s over four weeks. The results demonstrated that satisfaction with the program was extremely high and that color was also found to be helpful in both work performance and daily life. The fashion-centered color education program was found to increase the understanding of self-expression, creativity, arousal of interest, improvement in expression, and color. The experimental treatment with the fashion-centered color education program had substantially changed how color was perceived before and after the treatment. In addition, ego-resilience, self-esteem, life satisfaction, psychological satisfaction, and self-efficacy improved among the study participants.

After the Revolution: State, Civil Society, and Democratization in Armenia and Georgia

In 2003 and 2018, mass protests triggered the collapse of authoritarian regimes in Georgia and Armenia, respectively. In both cases, civil society organizations (CSOs) played an important role in laying the groundwork and organizing the protests. Following the toppling of semi-autocratic leaders, reform-oriented governments took over in both countries. Yet, the way civil society engaged the new rulers differed considerably. Whereas in Georgia, former civil society leaders were often absorbed into the new government, Armenian civil society has kept its distance from the new political leadership. In this paper, we attempt to explain why state-civil society relations after the revolutions have developed in different directions in these two Soviet successor states. We argue that three conditions explain differences in engagement with the new governments: CSOs pre-revolutionary cooperation with the political opposition, Western governments support for civil society before and after the political transitions, and the degree to which CSOs represent and are rooted in the general public. As a consequence, Georgia’s post-revolutionary regime lacked the checks and balances that CSOs usually provide, allowing it to sacrifice democratization on the altar of modernization. In Armenia, in contrast, CSOs have maintained a critical stance and continued to hold the government accountable.

Show Must Go On

When new religions reach a mature and settled phase, they resemble in many respects secular organizations and are therefore amenable to being studied with methods inspired by organization studies. One group of such methods deals with corporate narratives and corporate communication. This article takes a structuralist approach and applies a version of the actant model originally developed by the Lithuanian literary theorist Algirdas Greimas to a specific case involving a set of texts, namely the so-called Christmas appeals in which a spokesperson for the leadership of the General Anthroposophical Society at the Goetheanum initiates a fundraising campaign. Since money is a limited resource, these texts reveal which objects the organization’s leaders present as being important and why. The analysis reveals an organization that largely resembles a secular corporation but with the crucial difference that there are ultimate aims that transcend such arguably mundane concerns as maintaining a balanced budget.