IndexOverviewOrganizational Structure/Management/DesignEnvironment/Organizational ContextOrganizational Culture/Power/ConflictEvaluating the Future of the OrganizationThe American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animals (ASPCA) is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation specializing in the prevention of cruelty to animals in the United States. The ASPCA helps ensure that all animals have safe, healthy lives, free from abuse and neglect. The ASPCA was the first humane society founded in North America and is currently one of the largest organizations of its kind in the world. This organization not only protects animals through direct care and rescue, but also works to ensure animal protection under the law (ASPCA, 2016). This organization is incredibly broad in scope and has programs and branches across the country. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay General Description The mission of the ASPCA is "to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States." This organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans, not only by those with compassionate hearts, but as a right under law (ASPCA, 2016). The ASPCA is concerned with the welfare of animals, including: companion animals, food animals and livestock, animals used in research and education, animals used in entertainment, sports, or work, and wild animals (ASPCA, 2016 ). There are also three key areas of action regarding this organisation, including animal health services, anti-cruelty initiatives and community awareness. As of December 2015, the ASPCA has rescued over 12,000 animals across the country (ASPCA, 2016). The ASPCA serves communities across the country, with branches in many cities, including one here in New Orleans (LASPCA). The president and CEO of the organization is Matthew Bershadker. There is a very clear hierarchy in the organization that includes traditional roles such as vice president, treasury, etc., but also many department heads and a board of directors. Due to the size and breadth of this organization and its multiple locations, many people work under the direction of their headquarters, located in New York City. There are thousands of members of the organization across the country. In this organization the minimum requirement to become a member is an annual donation. There are three levels of membership by donation, depending on the amount pledged; the highest is the Founder's Society membership, followed by the monthly membership, and finally the regular membership (ASPCA, 2016). The ASPCA was founded by Henry Bergh and incorporated in 1866 by a special act of the New York State Legislature (ASPCA, 2016) . It was originally founded to protect the workhorses of New York City and has grown tremendously since then. The organization still maintains a strong presence in New York City, its original headquarters and the current location of its headquarters. While the organization is still guided by the same basic principles in preventing animal cruelty, many other factors that affect animal welfare as a whole are recognized today. Today there is a much greater emphasis on advocacy and education to achieve one's goals. This organization has also grown significantly in legal power, having played a role in the development and passage of multiple welfare lawsof animals and in the ongoing battles for their cause in the courtroom (ASPCA, 2016). Organizational Structure/Management/DesignThe ASPCA has a multi-divisional organizational structure, as shown in the figure above. The ASPCA has not published any materials outlining its management philosophy, but it has an established hierarchy. The company is divided into three main divisions including community outreach, animal health services and anti-cruelty initiatives. (ASPCA, 2016). The Community Outreach Division is made up of five departments including the Office of Community Outreach Programs, Community Initiatives, Adoption Center, ASPCA ProLearning and Veterinary Outreach. She is responsible for distributing funding and educational literature and conducts training for shelters and animal rescues across the country. (ASPCA, 2016). The second division of the ASPCA is Animal Health Services. It is made up of three departments, including the ASPCA Animal Hospital, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and mobile spay/neuter clinics, each covering a different area of ​​animal health and welfare. The Program Office, a department of the Community Outreach Division, plays an important integrated role in this division. Provides strategic leadership in animal care, medical expert support for media and marketing, medical record harmonization, training and business support. Additionally, the Program Office also provides accounting/budget management support to Animal Health Services, as well as human resources, office management, and building safety and maintenance support for the ASPCA headquarters in Urbana, Illinois. (ASPCA, 2016). The third division is the Anti-Cruelty Group. It is composed of seven departments including Field Investigations and Response, Law Enforcement Enforcement/Cruelty Intervention, Forensic Science and Anti-Cruelty Projects, ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team, Government Relations, and Legal Aid . Each department addresses different aspects of the fight to end animal cruelty in the United States. (ASPCA, 2016).Organizational Environment/ContextThe ASPCA has changed greatly since its founding in 1866. Most changes have occurred due to the natural progression and evolution of an organization and the growing knowledge of the world around it. The ASPCA has grown significantly in power and reach through the implementation of new programs, divisions and departments. The organizational structure has become much more complex and widespread due to the many new battles they face and the addition of new locations across the country. The organization's physical structure is based in New York City, where the organization was originally founded. This is the site of the Executive Management and Board of Directors, as well as the ASPCA Adoption Center, Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic, ASPCA Animal Hospital, and many other important services. The ASPCA also has animal shelters and hospitals across the country. Additionally, they also collaborate with a large number of animal welfare and rescue partner organizations across the country to train, educate and assist in each other's efforts to ensure animal welfare. Physical structure is very important for an organization. The physical structure is involved in many aspects of the organizational structure and extends beyond social, cultural and technological boundaries. Creating an identity is an important component in building a strong organizational structure and can be greatly facilitated by using physical structure. This is not only important for the employees but also for the partiesinterested parties, financiers and associates (Hatch, 2013). Additionally, in a place like the ASPCA, where a large number of community members are served, it also sets the tone for how the organization is viewed by the community and therefore has in mind the expectations of community members as well as all those most rooted in the company. The biggest change in the physical structure of this organization is the expansion into the United States. Having so many different locations across the country, the organization is under increased pressure to maintain a unique identity across all its branches. Establishing and maintaining an identity to ensure a cohesive organization is incredibly important to ensuring a strong organization structure. Organizational Culture/Power/Conflict From the rather limited information available online, it appears that the organization's community outreach division has the most power thanks to its wide range of programs that affect other departments, as indicated in the organizational structure section. Both the CEO and the board of directors have considerable power within the organization, as all decisions are subject to their approval (Bernstein, 2013). The most notable internal conflict in the ASPCA was that of the board of directors (Activist Fatti, 2016). The ASPCA's board of directors has historically been criticized for being inconsistent with the organization's animal welfare foundation. Many board members throughout the organization's history have participated in sport hunting, wearing fur coats and participating in “canned hunts” (Activist Facts, 2016). The board has also been criticized for being more focused on social standing than animals (Bernstein, 2013). It also experienced numerous disagreements that led to high board member fluidity, with 15 people (out of a 20-person board) resigning and being replaced in a short seven-year period (Bernstein, 2016). There have also been numerous external controversies surrounding the ASPCA throughout its history. One of the most notable controversies involved the Ringling Brothers circus. The ASPCA accused Ringling Bros. of abusing their show elephants, however the lawsuit was dismissed in 2009 after the presiding judge found that the ASPCA had paid the key witness in the case to lie under oath. As it turned out, the ASPCA had inspected the Ringling Bros. elephants when the show came to New York just a few years earlier, and found no evidence of mistreatment (Activist Facts, 2016). Another controversy in the ASPCA in 1994 led to the firing of four high-ranking members of the organization. The four members were fired after some workers under their jurisdiction were found to have earned as much as $131,000 in overtime a year. This was a serious misuse of money and drew attention to the organization's poor financial structure and its need to be reorganized and improved (Barbanel, 1994). Evaluating the Future of the Organization Although the ASPCA has had some controversies throughout its life, it appears to be fulfilling its organizational purpose. Because the effectiveness of an organization like this can be quantified quite well, it is more evident that it will achieve its goals. With over 4,600 animals adopted, 12,000 rescued or cared for, numerous nationwide programs, and the multitude of laws enacted and legal guardianship of all animals, it is evident that they have been effective in their mission to save and protect animals. There are also numerous programs in place today across the country that continue to.”