Effectiveness like machines has a useful life and at some point it gets fully depreciated.

I am very much a proponent of Non Profit (technically called Not-For-Profit)  organizations. There is no way that our society can operate without the support of a non profit sector. Now we know that goverment by definition is non profit, we know churches are as well but there are many others that are just as significant as these two.

Organizations range from childrens services, community rebuilding, adult career services, and business. Of course there are the very highly recognizable institutions such as the Red Cross, United Way, and there are much smaller versions that exist to help society. In addition there are the ethnic based organizations that exist to support a particular group of individuals.

Many of these organizations have existed so long that we know what they stand for, but do we know if these organizations are as effective as what they're original intent?

Look at the NAACP. We herald it as the oldest Civil Rights organizations for African Americans. We know the impact for many years but have we looked at the effectiveness of the organization now?

Effective by definition:
       adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result

Looking throughout the organizations website, there is nothing that outlines what the intent is to be "effective". Lots of information on issues that we are currently facing, who they've talked to or tried to influence, but nothing about what will be accomplished. This leads me to the belief that the goal is not so much to be effective or relevant but merely to be available to tackle issues as they arise.

It is encouraging that we have so many organizations that are here to help us, if we can only be effective there may be real help to give.