A Reflection on the First Five Weeks: An Assignment for Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations



If you know me, you know I have a passion for nonprofit organizations. It started twenty years ago when I first ventured into the business at Tennessee Christian Medical Center. The work we were able to do behind our Statement of Mission, “We exist to reflect the life and work of Christ and to assist physical, emotional and spiritual healing,” impacted both patients, employees, and our local community. I learned there that purpose over dollars was more of a motivator for me and that changed my career path moving forward.

Since then, I have been in and out of the nonprofit realm for employment, but I also get my fix (laughing) from a number of nonprofit boards and committees that I sit on. For example, I am currently the Assistant Chair on Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) Nominating Committee, the Director of Board Marketing on the Johnny Appleseed District of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and a Board Member at Large on the Tennessee Tech Parent Association Board of Trustees. My passion is making a difference, being a part of change, and serving those who bring me joy. These opportunities serve that purpose.

My commitment to continuing my education is what brought me to take the course, Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations, and I am confident what I am learning will be especially helpful as I move into the Chair position of the BHS Nominating Committee at the end of next year. There are a number of key topics we have discussed in the first five weeks, and I want to talk about three of them:

1. Common Vocabulary: In our course textbook, Nonprofit Management: Principles and Management, Michael J. Worth writes, “...it is important to dispel the common misunderstanding that nonprofits cannot earn profits. Defined as simply an excess of revenues over expenses, nonprofits can and do earn profits,” (p. 24). Nonprofits are not in the business of making money, their purpose is to leave an impact, but they still need income to cover expenses. Nonprofit charities (also known as 501(c)(3) exempt organizations) undertake programs for a variety of objectives from religious to educational to health and safety, and more (Worth, 2019, p. 28). Their main incomes can come by way of fees, contributions, and donations.

2. Board Governance vs. the CEO: The CEO is typically the one held responsible for the company's triumphs and failures in the eyes of the public. The board of directors, on the other hand, has a significant influence over the actions of a company that can often lead to those triumphs and failures. As a result, a strong working relationship between the board of directors and the CEO is critical. Both the boards of directors and CEO make high-level decisions. The distinction between their jobs is determined by company policy. The board of directors is responsible for hiring and removing the CEO, as well as approving significant policies and making major decisions. The board also monitors the CEO's and company's performance in terms of profitability and long-term viability (Worth, 2019, pgs. 94-95).

3. You Must Have a Strategic Plan: A strategic plan identifies and outlines a nonprofit's goals for usually one to three years and the goals/process to achieve them. At a minimum, a strategic plan should include a strategic analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis), a review and assessment of current resources. mission and vision statements, and an outline of goals, objectives, and activities (Worth, 2012, pgs. 181-206). A strategic plan is essential to the success of any nonprofit. It guarantees that everyone from the board to the executive leadership to the day-to-day operations team is on the same page and working on behalf of the nonprofit's purpose, vision, values, and most important priorities.

Nonprofit organizations play an important role in changing people's lives and communities but they require competent leadership to achieve their goals. Building the future leadership pipeline, attracting, developing, and retaining top personnel, managing complicated, resource-constrained situations, defending the bottom line and enacting beneficial social change, are the responsibilities of nonprofit leadership, and as I continue strive for growth in my current roles and future opportunities, I am excited for the knowledge and learn skills that lie ahead in this course.


Worth, M. J. (2019). Nonprofit management: Principles and practice. Sage Publications.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Volunteer Community Blog - PADM 4226: Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations

              Time is the greatest commodity we have. We do not get more minutes in an hour, hours in a day, days in a year. What we do with our time must be rewarding and impactful for our overall mental and physical health. When it comes to giving of my time for volunteer efforts, there are a few hard truths that impact my decisions: I hate the outdoors (unless I am on a golf course), I do not do well in medical-type situations, and I need to make a difference and leave an impression with whatever I do. This is why I am more inclined to be a “policy volunteer” rather than a “service volunteer” because I like to draw on my skills and experiences to affect change (Worth, 2019, p. 243).             This blog post is another pertaining to an assignment for Introduction to Nonprofit Organization . Our professor tasked us to find three local volunteer opportunities and disc...
Read more

What are my Three Words?

During the 4.13.19 gathering of #734IGLIVE (live on Instagram every Saturday at 7:34 a.m. CT) we talked a lot about words. Not the word we were using to speak with, but the words that define us. What are those words that drive you? That inspire you? That are the pillars supporting you each and every day? I haven't been able to shake this conversation. It's self-reflection and that's hard. I feel like I'm always redefining myself. Or trying to, maybe. I'm quick to be inspired. Be influenced. To emulate. I'm quick to take on the skills of others because I know I can. Their success inspires me and I want it. Dang, that's a terrible thing to say. Isn't it? I started to write my three words based on my life story, as instructed. The first word I wrote was restless . Not a good way to start, huh? I then wrote teacher , social , insecure , emotional , and weak . Well, two pillars out of six isn't bad, is it? Maybe this is why I haven'...
Read more

Reading is Fundamental: Advocacy Blog (PADM-4226-R50)

Image
Advocacy Blog The opinions below are my own and documented here for a class assignment. We have all heard the phrase, “Reading is Fundamental,” and that adage has never been more prevalent than now with the rise of remote learning and homeschooling.  The Challenge: The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children was palatable as they adjusted to online instruction and the loss of their social interactions. Thankfully, the organization Reading is Fundamental (https://www.rif.org/) recognized the urgency and shifted their response to assist children and their parents charter this new learning territory. About RIF: Reading Is Fundamental, the nation's leading children's literacy non-profit, is dedicated to creating a literate America by instilling a love of reading in all children, offering high-quality content that has an impact, and including communities in the solution to ensure that every child has the foundation for success. Reading Is Fundamental is a 501(c...
Read more