Fall 2011 PSPA 624 Resources Management for Nonprofit Organization 3 credit hours Thursday 6:30 to 9:15 pm DuSable Hall 252 The Big Questions What are the various resources a nonprofit organization must manage and how are these different from the public and private sectors? What do ethics have to do with resource management? Is management necessarily strategic and is strategic planning necessarily management? Instructor Information Dr. Alicia Schatteman, Assistant Professor Division of Public Administration Office address: IA (Illinois ASBO/Public Administration), corner of Lincoln Highway and Carroll Avenue, Room 205 Email address: aschatteman@niu.edu (preferred method of contact) Office phone: 815-753-0942 Fall 2011 Office hours: Thursdays 10am to noon or by appointment (I am generally on campus every day) Course Description: A discussion of resource strategies for nonprofit organizations; including fundraising, grant writing, volunteer management, and oversight roles. In light of increased scrutiny and accountability of nonprofits, the course will weave legal and ethical considerations into a comprehensive treatment of nonprofit strategy and finance. We will use a broad-based definition of resources that will include mission, human resources, information technology and knowledge, policies and procedures, finances including liquidity, cash, reporting, revenues and expenditures, financial planning, investments and capital budgeting. Students will engage in practical exercises to demonstrate their learning. 1
Type of Learning Goal Foundation Learning Goal To understand the differences of nonprofit organization finances compared to the public and private sectors To understand the many resources that nonprofits manage to achieve their missions Learning Assessment Homework, exams, readings Foundation Homework, exams, readings Application To apply financial concepts to real case examples Homework, exams Integration Caring Learning How to Learn To integrate knowledge of nonprofit finances to analyze nonprofit financial statements To empathize with the difficult role of nonprofit managers to balance their commitment to mission with financial sustainability To become famiiar with the resources available to nonprofit managers to deal with issues related to resources management Homework, exams, final project Readings, class discussions Readings, class discussions, exams, projects Instructional Methods: This course is taught using a variety of instructional methods including lecture, class discussion, guest speakers, small group work, project creation and oral presentations. Because of the nature of the subject and the size of the class, the course will mainly be seminar-style where we begin with a discussion of the readings and then open it up for a discussion. Everyone s participation is required to make it work. Course Website: All announcements, class assignments and lecture slides will be posted as well as any references to websites etc. which can all be found on Blackboard. Required Course Materials: The main textbook for the course is Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Policies and Procedures by John Zietlow, Jo Ann Hankin and Alan Seidner. 2007. ISBN-13: 978-0-471-74166-4. It is available on the NIU Bookstore but you can purchase/rent anywhere. Additional readings will be posted by week on Blackboard and will be announced in class. Course Requirements Elements of Grade Due Weight Quizzes (2) Sept. 15 and Nov. 3 10% each = 20% Research Project Sept. 29 20% Mid-Term Exam Oct. 13 30% Final Project Dec. 5 30% *OPTIONAL PAPER Nov. 17 OPTIONAL 10% (replaces one quiz) Total 100% 2
Attendance will be taken every class. Class participation is listening and speaking; as well as participating in in-class exercises and group discussions. Therefore, it is critical to be prepared for class by reading the assigned chapters or articles in advance and be familiar with their main points. Description of Grade Requirements Quizzes: will be in class, closed book, could include definitions, analysis of a case including financial statements, etc. If you miss a quiz, you will be given a zero unless you have a note from a health professional indicating your absence was necessary. If you miss a quiz, you can make up the points by preparing one of the two optional papers (see below). Research Project: Your research project will be analysis of financial and program performance of community foundations in the Midwest. These will be assigned. Your analysis will include financial data (that I will provide) and an examination of their annual report. Your project will result in the completion of an online survey of the data (financial data and annual report) (80% of your grade is completion of this part) and a written report of what you learned from your research of the 10 community foundations (3-5 pages, worth 20% of your overall grade for this project). This is part of a larger research project ultimately to examine financial and program performance of community foundations across the United States. I will preview the necessary steps in class and review the online assessment tool. It will be live for you to begin your analysis by September 8 and I will assign the community foundations by the same date. I estimate that you will spend approximately 30-45 minutes to complete the data collection and entry for each foundation. Mid-Term Exam: The midterm exam will be take-home. You will have one week to complete the written exam. It will include a case study of an organization and information about that organization to analyze. The particular case will be provided as well as all necessary details to complete the case. Your written exam must be uploaded to Blackboard under Assignments by midnight of the due date. Late exams will not be accepted! Final Project: For your final project, you can select any nonprofit organization you wish, upon approval by the professor. I will distribute a rubric indicating what to include in the written deliverable of your final project well in advance of the deadline. Your final project must be uploaded to Blackboard by midnight of the due date. Penalties for lateness apply but projects will not be accepted after four days late as per policy. It is expected that your final written product will be 12-15 pages (excluding references, appendices, title page etc.). OPTIONAL PAPER: Choice #1: Reaction paper to Saving Philanthropy Event, October 28. You will attend this NGOLD sponsored event and write a reaction paper to the event, what you learned, how it changes your thinking or not etc. Choice #2: book review of Good to Great and the Social Sectors. [Jim Collins, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0-9773264-0-2]. This is a small booklet he wrote as an extension of his book Good to Great (meant for the private sector). 3
Either paper can only replace one missed quiz or one lowest quiz score (either choice should be about 4 pages including introduction, analysis and conclusion in essay style. Your optional paper is due November 17 to be uploaded via Blackboard under Assignments by midnight. Class Schedule and Assignments Week Date Topic Readings Assignments due 1 August 25 Course Overview, introductions and expectations, syllabus review 2 Sept. 1 Definitions of Nonprofit Chapter 1 Organizations and Finance 3 Sept. 8 Managing mission and Chapter 3 strategy 4 Sept. 15 Structure, accountability and Chapter 4 Quiz #1 (ch. 1 and 3) ethics 5 Sept. 22 Developing financial policies Understanding accounting basics and financial statements Chapter 5 and 6 6 Sept. 29 Financial reports and ratios Chapter 7 Research Project due 7 Oct. 6 Operating and cash budgets Chapter 8 Distribute take-home exam 8 Oct. 13 NO CLASS ABFM CONFERENCE Take-Home Midterm Exam due by midnight in Blackboard 9 Oct. 20 Long range financial planning Chapter 9 and capital budgeting 10 Oct. 27 Cash management and Chapter 11 banking relations Oct 28 Saving Philanthropy Event Alternate paper option 11 Nov. 3 Investment policy and Chapter 12 Quiz #2 (ch. 9 and 11) guidelines 12 Nov. 10 Information technology and Chapter 13 knowledge management 13 Nov. 17 Human resources case study and discussion in Blackboard discussion forum (NO CLASS ARNOVA CONFERENCE) Readings on BB Optional paper due (if chosen) Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Break: no class 14 Dec. 1 Managing risk, legal issues Monday Dec. 5 and human resources Chapter 14 Final Project due Classroom Policies and Responsibilities Student Collaboration in and outside of Class: Students learn from each other; in many instances, a great deal. I encourage this and hope that each student will, when called upon, act as a peer mentor for colleagues who may not understand the course content. Obviously, doing someone else s assignment does not help that student learn, and is cheating. I will enforce the College s rules regarding academic honesty. It is important that we work to create a learning environment, where open debate is encouraged and we are respectful of each other s opinions. Students need to actively 4
participate in order to get as much out of the class as possible. It is your responsibility to have completed the readings prior to class and to be ready to discuss them with your fellow students. While I, as the professor, will often lead the discussion, you are expected to contribute the success of the class as well. Please provide a respectful learning environment for your fellow students. o NIU Community Standards: Northern Illinois University challenges students to strive for excellence, to integrate classroom and out-of-classroom learning, and to develop their talents through discovery and reflection. In order to achieve these ideals, all students are expected to contribute, through their words, actions, and commitments, to the development and sustenance of a community characterized by caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. These characteristics are essential to ensure the rights and privileges of all students and to preserve the integrity of the educational community. Admission to the University carries with it the presumption that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the community. Upon registration, each student agrees to abide by the policies, rules, and expectations of the University. Additionally, the University expects all community members to encourage others to actively commit to and uphold these policies, rules, and expectations (Adapted from Gonzaga University). Working together as a community, students, faculty and staff help foster a campus atmosphere that furthers the mission of the University. Northern Illinois University Community strives to create a community based on these standards: CARING: To support the well-being of others and to encourage service to others HONESTY: To be truthful and forthcoming about one s self in both academic and nonacademic endeavors RESPECT: To respect each member of the University Community RESPONSIBILITY: To accept ownership for one s actions, attitudes, and behaviors Writing: All written work for this course must be typed. The body of your paper must be double-spaced and written using a 12 point font. The paper must consistently use an author-year citation style, or APA style. Papers must include a full reference list for works cited in your paper, and be written in standard English using coherent prose and acceptable grammar. You should also include a title page with the date, title, and appropriate identifying information (your name, course title etc.). Number all pages of your assignment. All written assignments will be evaluated on content, English and format. Content means did you fully complete all required parts of the assignment? English refers to proper spelling and grammar, readability. Format refers to the proper page length, inclusion of cover page, overall organization of assignment, use of proper citation format (APA) and inclusion of reference list for every assignment where you cite references. Links: http://www.apastyle.org/ or http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/. 5
If you need assistance with any written assignment, see the University Writing Center http://uwc.niu.edu/. They can help with any aspect of researching, planning and writing your assignments. Late Assignment Policy All assignments must be handed in on time or 10% will be deducted for each day late up to four days. Assignments not submitted within four days will receive a zero. Academic Integrity Good academic work must be based on honesty. The attempt of any student to present as his or her own work that which he or she has not produced is regarded by the faculty and administration as a serious offense. What is cheating? o If you copy the work of another during an examination or turn in a paper or an assignment written, in whole or in part, by someone else. o If you copy material from books, magazines, or other sources without identifying and acknowledging those sources or if they paraphrase ideas from such sources without acknowledging them. Students guilty of, or assisting others in, either cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, quiz, or examination may receive a grade of F for the course involved and may be suspended or dismissed from the university. A faculty member has original jurisdiction over any instances of academic misconduct that occur in a course. The student shall be given the opportunity to resolve the matter in meetings with the faculty member and the department chair. If the facts of the incident are not disputed by the student, the faculty member may elect to resolve the matter at that level by levying a sanction no greater than an F for that course. The faculty member shall notify the student in writing whenever such action is taken, and the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct shall receive a copy of the Academic Misconduct Incident Report indicating final disposition of the case, which will be placed in the student s judicial file. Additional sanctions greater than an F in a course can be levied only through the University. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities A student who believes that reasonable accommodations with respect to course work or other academic requirements may be appropriate in consideration of a disability must (1) provide the required verification of the disability to the Center for Access-Ability Resources, (2) meet with the Center for Access-Ability Resources to determine appropriate accommodations, and (3) inform the faculty in charge of the academic activity of the need for accommodation. Students are encouraged to inform the faculty of their requests for accommodations as early as possible in the semester, but must make the requests in a timely enough manner for accommodations to be appropriately considered and reviewed by the university. If contacted by the faculty member, the staff of the Center for Access-Ability Resources will provide advice about accommodations that may be indicated in the particular case. Students who make requests for reasonable accommodations are expected to follow the policies and procedures of the Center for Access-Ability Resources in this process, including but not limited to the Student Handbook. A wide range of services can be 6
obtained by students with disabilities, including housing, transportation, adaptation of printed materials, and advocacy with faculty and staff. Students with disabilities who need such services or want more information should contact the Center for Access- Ability Resources at 815-753-1303. Grades: Your final grade is not based on the effort you put into the course but rather what you produce as a final product (exams, papers etc.). Each of you are starting from a different place in learning the material and will need to base your effort on your own background knowledge, your learning style and the grade you wish to earn. There is no extra credit! You need to consistently work throughout the semester and monitor your own learning and achievement. Your final grade is determined by you, not the instructor. Overall, I will use the following to assign grades to your assignments. Score Letter Grade GPA Point Value Value Description 90-100 A 4.0 Outstanding Work is complete, original, insightful and of a level and quality that exceeds expectations for an undergraduate level of study. In-depth understanding of course issues and a high level of analytical skills. No grammar and citation errors. Referencing is done in APA style. References are extensive and of high quality. 80-89 B 3 Very satisfactory Work is complete, of a level that slightly exceeds expectations for this level. Solid understanding of course issues and excellent analysis. Very few grammar and citation errors. Citations are consistent with APA style format and are drawn from a broad range of current sources. 70-79 C 2 Satisfactory Work is mainly complete, and/or a level that partially meets expectations or standards for an undergraduate course. Important grammar and spelling errors. Problems with citation format. 60-69 D 1 Marginally satisfactory Assignments not turned in or turned in significantly late. Lack of understanding of central course concepts. 0-59 F 0 Unsatisfactory Assignments not turned in or turned in significantly late. Very poor performance on exams/tests. Lack of effort or lack of understanding of central course concepts. Incomplete Grades: A grade of I (incomplete) is assigned at the discretion of the instructor, when illness, death in the immediate family, or other unusual and unforeseeable circumstances not encountered by the other students in the class prevent completion of the course requirements by the end of the semester. Under these circumstances, a grade of I may be assigned when a student is unable to complete the course requirements but only when it is possible that the completion of the remaining work could result in a passing grade. An I must be resolved within the appropriate time limit or it will automatically be changed to an F. The student is responsible for seeing that incompletes are made up before the expiration date. Classroom Disruption Students admitted to NIU are assumed to have the maturity to function appropriately in a variety of instructional situations. When a student s behavior in a classroom, laboratory, or other formal learning environment is such that the rights of 7
other enrolled students to an effective learning climate are being violated, the student shall lose the privilege of attending or receiving credit in the class. In any case of the disruption of instruction by a student, the chair of the department may, after investigating the incident, suspend the student responsible from class attendance and recommend to the dean of the college that the student be permanently barred from the class. The student concerned is to be notified in writing of such action and may appeal the department s recommendation to the dean within one week of notification. Upon such written appeal, the dean shall conduct a hearing, providing for a presentation of the facts relative to the disturbance. The decision of the dean shall be final. If the recommendation to bar the student from class is upheld, the student will be officially withdrawn from the course following regular withdrawal procedures, with the date upon which the student was initially suspended as the effective date of the withdrawal. Extreme and/or disruptive behavior will constitute grounds for dismissal from the university. The Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct handles allegations of such behavior; the policies and procedures of that office are outlined in the Student Judicial Code. Technology in class: Electronic devices disturb the classroom and interrupt learning and teaching. Therefore, make sure all electronic devices are turned OFF before class (which means NOT ON so no vibrating phones or texting whether the device is visible or in a bag/backpack etc.). o If your electronic device rings or vibrates during class, or you answer a text or cell phone call in class, quietly leave the classroom (or you will be asked to leave the room) o Laptops are permitted in class if they are for note-taking purposes only, not for web surfing etc. o Communication Policy: If you have a question for me, first check to see if you can find the answer to your question in your notes, in the class lecture slides, on Blackboard, in the syllabus, from a classmate, if you still can t find the answer once you have checked with all of these sources, then contact the teaching assistant and if your issue is not resolved, please see the instructor. If you leave a phone message or send any kind of electronic communication message, do not expect an answer before 48 hours have passed. The best way to reach me is to send me an email and we can arrange to speak on the phone or meet in my office. I check my email regularly throughout the work day. Please do not expect a response by email after normal business hours (after 5pm) or on weekends. Expect that phone calls and other electronic messages will be returned only during normal working hours (Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm). If you have not received a response to your first message after four days, please feel free to leave a second message as a reminder. If it is an absolute emergency that you reach me sooner (less than 48 hours) please put emergency in the subject line of an email. Email/Electronic Communication Etiquette: If you email me or any of your professors, the following would be extremely helpful. In the subject line of your email, please put the course number and section. Send email from your main Northern Illinois University email account so I recognize the address and do not delete it by accident or it isn t sent 8
inadvertently to spam. In the first sentence, say what class you are in and end your message with your full name, the best way to reach you and when you need a response. Use proper English (grammar and spelling). Undergraduate Writing Awards The Department of Political Science recognizes, on an annual basis, outstanding undergraduate papers written in conjunction with 300-400 level political science courses or directed studies, such as independent studies or honors theses. Winners are expected to attend the Department s spring graduation ceremony where they will receive a certificate and a check for $50.00. No more than two papers may be submitted by a student. There is no requirement as to the length of papers submitted for the award. Often the Department awards prizes for both an outstanding short paper and an outstanding long paper. The number and types of award is dependent upon the papers submitted for consideration in any given year. Authors do not have to be political science majors or have a particular class standing. Only papers written in the previous calendar year are considered for the award. However, papers completed in the current spring semester are eligible for the following year s competition even if the student has graduated. Papers can be submitted by students or faculty and must be supplied in triplicate to the undergraduate secretary. All copies must have two cover pages one with the student s name and one without the student s name. Papers are not to be stapled or bound. Instead, please use paper clips. Papers are generally due in March and notice of call for papers and submission deadlines will be published in the department e- announcements. You may also contact the department for information at 753-1015. Department of Political Science Web Site Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science website on a regular basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will assist students in contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi, exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking department events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate programs and activities. To reach the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu. Student Development Assistance if you have any personal difficulties and need some assistance to be successful at NIU, there are many resources available to you on campus. Check out the Counseling and Student Development Center at www.niu.edu/csdc/. Syllabus Change Policy: This syllabus is a guide and every attempt is made to provide an accurate overview of the course. However, circumstances and events may make it necessary for the instructor to modify the syllabus during the semester and may depend, in part, on the progress, needs and experiences of the students. Changes to the syllabus will be made in with advance notice and announced via Blackboard and in class. 9