Measuring effectiveness, however, is tricky and limited mostly to knowing an organization's reputation.
"Public perception of the response to an event can have a lasting impact on an organization's reputation.
Leaders of two Jewish groups sent letters opposing the nomination, saying Mr. Tisch's tobacco industry ties might damage the organization's reputation.
In Cairo, I spoke with many supporters who emphasized stability rather than Islam, and they believed that the organization's reputation for discipline made it less likely to succumb to the corruption and cruelty of Mubarak's regime.
Today, it has overpaid executives who have to spend their time defending the organization's reputation, not unlike other world sporting bodies, such as Olympic committee, which also has problems with credibility.
Ms. Evans, 54, will take charge of an organization whose reputation suffered badly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, when its administration of donations and unwillingness to collaborate with other nonprofit groups drew criticism from donors, victims and government officials.
Islamists proved more resilient to repression for many reasons — because their adherents were motivated by faith as well as civic spirit, because they had cross-border links and financing from the Persian Gulf states — and now, in some places, they are the only groups with any organization or reputation on the ground.
Kennedy calls the letter "appropriate" because "our organization's reputation is on the line.
The risk of lasting harm to an organization's reputation with its critical stakeholders is enormous.
If a culture of dishonesty and false reporting develops, the whole organization's reputation can become tainted.
