What is worthwhile about the Sathya Sai Organization are those volunteers who lead by example in the real work of genuinely selfless service to the suffering and needy. These people may be described as the ground level volunteer workers and those who both share in and coordinate their practical activities.
What is problematical about the SSO is that, all too often, the policies and directives encountered regularly from above within the organisation absorb much energy that could be employed better elsewhere. Not seldom, decisions made by VIP leaders, notably Indulal Shah & Michael Goldstein, fuel divisive practices in Sai groups... but these are seldom ever analysed or even mentioned by leaders, who are able to disregard or censure any matter they wish. This study aims to examine this unfortunate culture. Further, there is now a cult of strict secrecy surrounding all matters that occur which are not regarded as good publicity and office-bearers are removed from office (and without explanation!) if they even try to discuss such things with anyone.
In order to aid the organisation of activities, a system of rules and leaders (higher office-bearers) has been developed. Much status is attached to higher office-bearers, who are not elected but selected by Sai Baba and/or the Overseas Chairman. They are treated as VIPs in the SSO, the ashram and elsewhere. They move in different circles to the working service volunteers, losing touch with and failing to listen to them properly. The differences of status, privilege and activity - which soon become permanent - hinder unity of spirit in the SSO. The organisation thus has a top-down structure and is impervious to change, frank constructivism or feedback from those with experience, conscience and other such qualities.
To detail & document the situation and to investigate the actual and potential causes that sustain it is the main task here. On the available evidence, tentative conclusions as to the actual functions the SSO serves, in addition to its declared aims, are outlined (see link 'Tentative Conclusions'). Readers of this may contribute to the data and evaluations... see in the right-hand linkbox 'feedback from/to/about the SSO'.