It is hard to disagree that all people are different, and sometimes, it is essential to help some individuals to accept, normalize, and talk about their uncommon characteristics without feeling ashamed. In 1993, Cheryl Chase founded an advocacy group called the Intersex Society of North America in order to eliminate secrecy and shame and put an end to unwanted genital surgeries. There are some interesting aspects of this organization that may provide various insights.
First, ISNA was completely ignored by its target audiences, and few specialists wanted to work with them. According to the case study, “physicians were uninterested in anything the organization had to say” (Poon, 2006, p. 4). What is more, while trying to change the medical practice, ISNA earned a reputation of an aggressive organization, which scared the potential clients away (Poon, 2006). However, thanks to the engagement of many pediatric endocrinologists and media advocacy, ISNA managed to change the minds of people. To make the company adapt to its environment, Chase asked various influencers for help and advocated for the necessity of ISNA.
ISNA is a nonprofit organization that fits the following characteristics: it is always focused on its mission and objectives, requires funding, and is separate from the government and self-governing. Further, as a nonprofit company, ISNA engaged board, and the members were actively cooperating with each other, sharing common ideas and values (Poon, 2006). As noticed in the case, “ISNA’s nationally-distributed board worked hard to keep up communications through time-consuming teleconferences and furious emailing, trying to help manage the organization and coordinate their own activism” (Poon, 2006, p. 8). Board members divided responsibilities, and when Dreger felt burnt out by her duties, she handed the position of board chair over to Thea Hillman.
Reference
Poon, L. M. (2006). The intersex society of North America. The Electronic Hallway.