FYC 4409: Working with Nonprofit Organizations in Community Settings Fall 2015 Syllabus updated: 8/5/15

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1 FYC 4409: Working with Nonprofit Organizations in Community Settings Fall 2015 Syllabus updated: 8/5/15 Instructor: Social Media: Office Hours: Class Meetings: Prerequisites: Jennifer A. Mondays 4:00pm 5:00pm in room Thursdays 3:00pm 5:00pm in room Tuesdays 1:55pm 3:50pm Thursdays 1:55pm 2:45pm Junior or Senior Standing Course Description: This course offers and overview of nonprofit organizations, their functions and purpose, how they are organized and operate, and the basic structure of an incorporated nonprofit. The course relies heavily on lectures, reading assignments, and a group project. The project is designed to provide students with an opportunity to understand, analyze, and make recommendations regarding an aspect of the nonprofit sector that is of particular interest to them. Course Goal: Students will gain knowledge on the various organizational structures and management functions of nonprofit organizations. Students will also develop working knowledge of the nonprofit sector and best practices in management and leadership. Course Objectives: By the end of this course, you will be able to: Define the nonprofit sector and describe its dimensions. Understand the relationship between the nonprofit sector and civil society. Understand the legal framework within which the nonprofit sector operates. Identify the key regulatory agencies (compulsory and noncompulsory), and explain issues related to nonprofit transparency and accountability. Identify and analyze trends in nonprofit leadership including board governance, staffing, and volunteer management. Identify and analyze trends in nonprofit revenue generation, including philanthropy, government services, and social enterprise. Interpret the financial, leadership, and governance data available via IRS Forms

2 Use secondary research skills to develop an in-depth knowledge of one aspect of the sector (student s choice). Summarize career opportunities in nonprofit management and leadership; and describe various educational paths for nonprofit professionals. Identify and explain the importance of professional networking skills in social media (i.e., Twitter). Required readings: Worth, M. J. (2014). Nonprofit management principles and practices (3 rd Edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Additional readings will be assigned and available via the course website. Recommended readings are also available via the course website. These readings may be relevant to students final projects and/or personal interests. Course Requirements Nonprofit Scavenger Hunt (50 points) Students will complete an online scavenger hunt designed to familiarize them with the publically-available data sources and with the various regulatory bodies that oversee the nonprofit sector. Reading Surveys (50 points) Students will complete five brief surveys regarding specific reading assignments. Surveys are worth 10 points each. These surveys are not quizzes: they are designed to engage critical thinking skills and to improve class discussions. These surveys will help students generate questions and formulate their ideas about the readings. Five Group Assignments (425 points total) Students will be required to complete five group assignments. These assignments are designed to teach students how to use secondary research skills to develop an in-depth knowledge of one aspect of the sector. Each group will consist of 5 students and each student is expected to contribute equally to group assignments. Specific instructions for the assignments are provided on the course website. 1. Market Survey Overview (75): Students will select a subsector of the nonprofit sector and develop an overview of its activities. Each student will identify one nonprofit organization to analyze in-depth during subsequent assignments. 2. Mission and Programing Analysis (75): Students will work together to analyze the mission and programming of their self-selected nonprofits and, as a group, identify recommendations based on theories, research, and best-practice models. 2

3 3. Leadership and Governance Analysis (100): Students will work together to analyze the leadership and governance of their self-selected nonprofits and, as a group, identify recommendations based on theories, research, and best-practice models. 4. Financial Analysis (100): Students will work together to analyze the finances of their self-selected nonprofits and, as a group, identify recommendations based on theories, research, and best-practice models. 5. Marketing and Public Relations Analysis (75): Students will work together to analyze the marketing and public relations of their self-selected nonprofits and, as a group, identify recommendations based on theories, research, and best-practice models. Final Group Project (225): Market Research Report Students will, based on the professor s feedback, revise the five group assignments and organize them into a Market Research Report as per guidelines available via the course website. The final report will contain additional items including a) an executive summary, b) general findings and recommendations, and c) specific recommendations for early career professionals interested in working in that subsector. Group members will be required to complete an evaluation of their fellow group members. Two Quizzes (100 points each) Students will take two quizzes during the semester. These quizzes will be on readings and lectures that will be pre-designated as quiz material. Each quiz will consist of approximately 25 multiple choice and short answer questions. Each quiz will be worth 100 points. Class Participation and Attendance (100 points) Students are expected to attend class sessions, participate in class discussions, and to contribute equally to their group project. Students will sign an attendance sheet each day. There are two unexcused absences during the semester. 10 points will be deducted for additional unexcused absences. In regard to team projects, students will complete an evaluation of their fellow group members. Extra Credit Opportunities (up to 25 points) Students will be given extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. Students can earn up to 25 extra credit points. Assignment Points Individual or Group Nonprofit Scavenger Hunt 50 Individual Reading Surveys 50 Individual Quiz #1 100 Individual Quiz #2 100 Individual Group Assignment #1 75 Group Group Assignment #2 75 Group Group Assignment #3 100 Group Group Assignment #4 100 Group 3

4 Group Assignment #5 75 Group Final Project 225 Group Participation and Attendance 50 Individual TOTAL 1,000 Classroom & Course Polices Attendance This course and the assignments are cumulative. Each week builds upon the previous week. Class discussions will do far more than just highlight what is in the text book. Instead, class discussions will focus on the nuances of the topic at hand and on the myriad challenges that arise when working with nonprofit sector organizations. Consistent attendance in class is important and, therefore, will be monitored via sign-in sheets. Students are allowed two unexcused absences. Excused absences are defined via UF s attendance policy. Please contact the professor if you will be absent. Late Assignments Students are expected to turn assignments in on time. Late assignments are strongly discouraged and will be downgraded one letter grade. If the assignment is not turned in one week after the original due date, it will be downgraded another letter grade. And so on. Students who are having difficulty of any kind are encouraged to talk to the professor as soon as possible. Changes to the Syllabus Dr. Jones may change the syllabus at any time. The most up-to-date syllabus will be located on the course website. Changes will be discussed in class. Communication is the best way to communicate with Dr. Jones. She will check daily, with the exception of weekends. Cell phones / Laptops / Tablets Please do not use cell phones during class, including text-messaging. Laptops and tablets should be used sparingly, and only be used for purposes related to the course. Please be considerate as computer usage is distracting to your professor, your fellow classmates, and to your own ability to learn. Students who are in violation will be asked to cease usage (first offense) and, if they continue, will be asked to leave the room (second offense). Use of any device during quizzes is forbidden. Canvas Course Website 4

5 It is students responsibility to successfully utilize the course website. If you have difficulties with access please call the computer help desk at (352) 392-HELP. Your instructor is unable to help you with those problems. The UF Computing Help Desk The UF Computing Help Desk is there to assist you with all your computing questions. Please use the following information to contact the help desk: Phone: (352)392-HELP (4357) Location: CSE 214/520 URL: University Policies Academic Honesty As a student at the University of Florida, you have committed yourself to uphold the Honor Code, which includes the following pledge: We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. You are expected to exhibit behavior consistent with this commitment to the UF academic community, and on all work submitted for credit at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment." It is assumed that you will complete all work independently in each course unless the instructor provides explicit permission for you to collaborate on course tasks (e.g. assignments, papers, quizzes, exams). Furthermore, as part of your obligation to uphold the Honor Code, you should report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. It is your individual responsibility to know and comply with all university policies and procedures regarding academic integrity and the Student Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code at the University of Florida will not be tolerated. Violations will be reported to the Dean of Students Office for consideration of disciplinary action. For more information regarding the Student Honor Code, please see: Campus Helping Resources Students experiencing crises or personal problems that interfere with their general well-being are encouraged to utilize the university s counseling resources. The Counseling & Wellness Center provides confidential counseling services at no cost for currently enrolled students. Resources are available on campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career or academic goals, which interfere with their academic performance. University Counseling & Wellness Center, 3190 Radio Road, , Counseling Services Groups and Workshops Outreach and Consultation Self-Help Library 5

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