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The Evergreen State College

NONPROFIT ADMINISTRATION         Fall Quarter 2003
(So you want to run or work for a nonprofit organization?)

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Joan Bantz, Member of the Faculty

Lab I, 3011         (360) 867-5095         e-mail: bantzj@evergreen.edu

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Classroom: Lab II, 2211 An Intensive Weekend Course 4 Credit Hours

Class Sessions -  Saturdays: October 4, October 25, November 15 and December 6, 2003

You MUST be present October 4th to be considered registered. All class sessions will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Web Crossing participation will be a required part of this class. 

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Course Description:

This intensive and web-based course focuses on the administration of the non-governmental, nonprofit sector of the economy,
which delivers more than ten percent of the jobs and voluntary labor force in North America. Though much in common with public administration, these organizations present a number of unique managerial and analytical problems. With public administration
being pared back, the third sector is often called on to take up the slack, especially in the area of social services once provided
by the state. 

Yet it is unclear that the sector is adequately distributed, funded or coordinated to fill the gaps of privatization. This course will
explore the relationship between government, business and nonprofit agencies, and identify and discuss the challenges facing
nonprofits in today's world. We will study philanthropy, volunteerism, managerial tools, techniques and strategies for effective
administrative leadership and organization, board selection/orientation and training, and board/staff relations.  Several nonprofit
leaders will share their experience and knowledge.  Students will be required to select a nonprofit to work with during the class.

Learning Objectives:

The Objectives of the course are to: 

• Create an understanding of the myriad forms of tax nonprofit organizations, e.g., charities, advocacy organizations, membership groups, social or recreational organizations, satellite organizations, employee benefit funds, etc.
• Develop an appreciation for the diversity of function, thought, behavior, goals and values inherent within differing forms of tax-exempt and taxed organizations. 
• Think critically, develop skill building tools and vital practice applications within the areas of: administration, fund raising, board development/facilitation, volunteerism, and promotion/marketing issues. 
• Understand how personal and cultural values and beliefs affect expectations within an organization. 
• Explore ideas for further research/study.
• Expand proficiency with web-based communication tools.
  

Course Methods:

Learning for the course will occur from the following methods:

• Class attendance and participation
• Individual interaction with a selected non profit organization
• Teamwork
• Assigned readings
• Web Crossing postings – responses to required readings and fellow students’ work, and applied assessment.
• Seminars
  

• Assignments:
•  Web Crossing Postings:
• Students are expected to critique (analyze, interpret and evaluate) selected text or articles. Each student will post a critical evaluation of the text on Web Crossing. You will also write a response to the posting of at least one other student peer. Your critique should be a synthesis of the reading and should include your own reactions, IT IS NOT A BOOK REPORT. In your postings on fellow student’s work, you should speak to their explanations of the materials. Your critique response to a fellow member should be posted by the date assigned in the calendar by the end of day.
  

• Selected NonProfit Study:
• Students will select a specific nonprofit organization to focus their understanding/study for the quarter. Each of you will complete an assessment on at least one of the key areas of focus for the quarter (volunteerism, boards, promotion or fund raising.) The specific area(s) will be your focus for the quarter. If you find another person wishes to study the same non-profit you will work in a team, so as not to burden the entity – however teams will not be any larger than 3 students, and each must focus on a separate aspect for the assessment (i.e., volunteerism, boards, promotion or fund raising.)  You will present your findings to the class and to the nonprofit at the end of the class. 

1. – Selection of Nonprofit for Assessment (Due, October 19, 2003): Each student will identify a nonprofit organization to engage (consult) with for the entire quarter. After posting your desired organization of October 12 you find others selected the same entity, you will need to determine who is to take which area and so forth. You are encouraged to use the “Chat Room” option on Web Crossing to facilitate this discussion. Final selections are due October 19.
   
   
2. –  Nonprofit Assessment Paper (Posting  as attachment, Due November 29): Each student will write a formal paper of his or her exploration and deliberations. The paper will be no longer than 6-12 pages double-spaced, (not including bibliog., title pages, and charts, etc.) with APA format. The paper will be discussed at length in class. However, it is important to begin to frame your understanding of the organization – “what is their function, values, goals, history, culture, etc.”  You will present your paper to the class and to your non profit organization.  Presenters will have handouts for audience (Due December 6.)
   
   
3. – Nonprofit Assessment Chats (Due before each class session) Each student must participate in an on line chat/seminar with at least four other people prior to the next class. At this time you will discuss your findings, any ideas for one another to pursue, challenges, concerns and creative options. We will allot class time to set your agendas and dates, so please bring your calendars to class. Submit a list of names, the selected facilitator, times and dates to faculty, and email faculty with time/date of chat if changed.
   
   

Expectations and Evaluation:

The course is designed as an active/experiential learning community. Much of what will be learned in this course comes from what the myriad guest speakers bring and the work we do together to weave this knowledge with the readings. Therefore, attendance and engagement are required.

Credit for the course and a positive evaluation are contingent upon the following:

1. Attending and participating fully in every class session;
2. Submitting assignments on time;
3. Demonstrating progress on learning objectives, as evidenced by classroom and assignment performance.

If something prevents you meeting these expectations, you must inform faculty immediately.

Credit denial decisions are by faculty. Plagiarism (i.e., using other peoples’ work as your own), failing to complete one or more assignments, completing one or more assignments late (without having made arrangements before the due date), or multiple absences may constitute denial of total credit. 

In turn, students can expect faculty to be prepared for classes and seminars, to be available for office hours as posted and for scheduled meetings outside of office hours, to respond to telephone or email messages in a timely manner, and to provide timely feedback on assignments.

All students will receive a written evaluation of their academic performance by faculty. Each student is expected to participate in the end of quarter evaluation conference with faculty. For the end of quarter conference, each student is expected to complete and bring to the conference a written self-evaluation – no conference will be conducted without the self-evaluation. Students are also expected to provide a written evaluation of their seminar faculty member. These two evaluations are part of the requirements of the course, are central to the reflection process of your intellectual journey and must be completed to obtain full credit.

In furtherance of our learning community, we expect students and faculty to:

• Act in accordance with the Evergreen Contract and Student Conduct code.
• Promote a cooperative, supportive atmosphere within the community; give everyone opportunity for self-reflection and expression.
  
• Use high standards in reading the text and preparing our papers, lectures, and comments in seminar.
• Handle all disputes in a spirit of goodwill.
  
• Both students and faculty agree to discuss any problems involving others in the learning community directly with the individuals involved, with the right to support from other course members during those discussions, if that seems helpful. For example, students must first discuss any problems involving a peer member directly with the person in question; others will refrain from discussing details of any such problem except in the above format. If a solution is not found then faculty should be consulted.

  
  

Collaborative learning will be emphasized through work groups, seminar, and group and individual exercises. Students are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the class, to thoroughly prepare for each class session and to complete all assignments on time. Attendance at all course sessions is essential in this intensive format.

Required Reading:

1. De Pree, Max (1997). Leading Without Power: Finding Hope in Serving Community; Jossey-Bass; ISBN: 0787910635

2. Linden, Russell M. (2002).  Working Across Boundaries: Making Collaboration Work in Government and Nonprofit Organizations; Wiley, John & Sons, Inc.  ISBN: 0-7879-6430-1

4.  Brinckerhoff, Peter C. (2002). Mission-Based Marketing: Positioning Your Not-for-Profit in an Increasingly Competitive World, 2nd Edition, Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.  ISBN: 0471237183

5. Scott, Katherine Tyler (2000). Creating Caring & Capable Boards: Reclaiming the Passion for Active Trusteeship.  Jossey-Bass. ISBN: 0787942936

6. McBee, Shar (2003). To Lead Is to Serve: How to Attract Volunteers and Keep Them. Pub: Energize.  ISBN 0-9638560-2-2

Articles as assigned

Schedule and Assignments:

Class Session –Saturday, October 4, 2003

Forming a Learning Community

Class Overview - Syllabus Review:
Nonprofit Organization of Study
Nonprofit Organization Assessment Assignments

Selection of Teams for First “on-line Chat"

Web Crossing Orientation, Photos & Training – Reviewing Posting and Chat Room Use

October 5 - 24, 2003

Read – Brinckerhoff

Post your Non-Profit Organization Selection (Due October 12) - be sure to determine area selections if in teams.
(Final selections are due by October 19.)

Post critique-Mission-Based Marketing: Positioning Your Not-for-Profit in an Increasingly Competitive World- (Due October 15). 

Post Response to Peer’s Critique- (Due October 22). 

Chat – Teams discuss findings (on line) about their nonprofit organizations (Due- before October 25)  

Class Session – Saturday October 25, 2003

9-10 in LB II, 2211

10 AM Guest Topic: Fund Raising – Colleen Gillespie, President, The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound  LH2

1:15 PM Guest Topic: Promotion– James Beaver, Director, College Relations, TESC      LH2 

Seminar: Brinckerhoff

October 26 – November 14, 2003

Read - Scott

Post Critique - Creating Caring & Capable Boards: Reclaiming the Passion for Active Trusteeship- (Due November2 )

Post Response to Peer’s Critique - (Due November 5).

Read - McBee

Post Critique - To Lead Is to Serve: How to Attract Volunteers and Keep Them (Due November 9)

Post Response to Peer’s Critique - (Due November 12)

Chat – Teams discuss findings (on line) about their nonprofit (Due- before November 15)

Class Session – Saturday November 15, 2003

9:00-10:00 am in Lab II Classroom
2:30-5:00 pm in Lab II Classroom
AM Guest Topic: Volunteerism –  Patty Belmonte, Director, Hands on Children’s Museum (10 am to 12:15 pm In LH 2)

PM Guest Topic: Boards –  Nancy Riordan, Executive Director, Providence St. Peter Foundation  (1:15 to 2:15 pm in LH 2)

Seminar On: Scott and McBee

November 16 to December 5, 2002

Read - De Pree and Linden

Post Critique of -Leading Without Power: Finding Hope in Serving Community and -Working Across Boundaries: Making Collaboration Work in Government and Nonprofit Organizations (Due November 23)

                     Post Response to Peer’s Critique - (Due December 3).

Nonprofit Assessment Paper (Post as attachment, Due November 29)

(Note: No Chat this week)

December 6, 2003 (bring to class handouts)

Class Session – Saturday, December 6, 2003

Seminar On: De Pree and Linden

Student Presentations on Selected Non-Profit Organizations

**Self-evaluation and faculty evaluation due.