Benjamin S. Bingle Professional Experience Northern Illinois University Center for NGO Leadership and Development, DeKalb, Illinois Program Coordinator September 2011 - Present Research and analyze current trends among other nonprofit resource centers Conceptualize new programs and initiatives in collaboration with NGOLD Director Provide and organize the necessary support for program implementation Organize conferences, events, and meetings within the university and external community Support the NGOLD Director and Faculty in recruiting, advising, and managing undergraduate students pursuing the Community Leadership and Civic Engagement major Maintain database of Community Leadership and Civic Engagement students and alumni Assist NGOLD Director and Faculty in identifying service learning opportunities for students Work collaboratively with other staff to develop grant and funding proposals Represent NGOLD as requested to internal and external constituencies Perform outreach to nonprofit organizations to better understand their needs and incorporate their feedback into NGOLD programs and services Collaborate with other NIU departments and majors to establish joint initiatives Establish consistent communications, promotional, and outreach materials in tandem with other NGOLD staff and partnering entities Create website content and work with the NIU Web Communications Team to implement online initiatives and services Northern Illinois University Public Opinion Laboratory, DeKalb, Illinois Research Associate August 2008 September 2011 Coordinated and administered telephone, internet, and mail surveys for business entities, nonprofit organizations, communities, governmental groups, and local, state, and federal agencies Led or provided support for projects exceeding $108,000 in revenue during first 12 months Used SPSS statistical software and MS Excel to manage and analyze data Developed questions and response options to reduce bias and respondent burden Conducted projects to comply with American Association for Public Opinion Research Ensured compliance with Northern Illinois University Institutional Review Board Performed sample management, interviewer training, data monitoring, cleaning, and analysis Maintained relations with clients to provide high quality service and ensure timely deliverables Composed technical reports that condensed large amounts of data into a comprehensible format Presented findings to clients by summarizing and highlighting pertinent data Contributed to marketing efforts by compiling and maintaining prospective customer database Was responsible for organizational website content and led comprehensive website redesign
The Abilities Fund, Iowa City, Iowa Operations Officer December 2006 March 2008 Oversaw and implemented a federally-funded self-employment project in 45 states Procured contracts, monitored service providers, established workplans, completed program reports, and ensured federal compliance Managed outcomes evaluation project to measure the impact of programs on constituents Fundraising activities included lead writing and editing responsibilities for proposals which procured more than $1.3 million in grant, earmark, and contract funds Traveled locally, regionally, and nationally to represent organization and conduct trainings Coordinated with Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to develop and implement organizational priorities, policies, and goals Performed policy assessment, revision, and development for Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and assisted Chief Executive Officer with additional consulting services Supervised equity grant programs for low-income clients Assisted in the development of comprehensive marketing and promotional plans Participated in organizational strategic planning efforts Recruited and supervised AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers and complied with State of Iowa and Corporation for National and Community Service requirements Provided support to the Board of Directors Project Manager November 2004 December 2006 Directed technical assistance to entrepreneurs with disabilities nationally including business plan development, marketing assistance, and financial projection Managed three grant programs which delivered a combined $50,450 in funding to entrepreneurs over a 24 month period Oversaw the e-marketplace Project a statewide initiative that provided technical and financial assistance to entrepreneurs in Iowa starting ebay businesses Provided monthly post start-up technical assistance and financial assessment for clients of the statewide Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program Website management including content development, design, and maintenance Grant research and composition of foundation, state, federal, and corporate funding proposals Delivered presentations at national, regional and state-level events Developed and implemented marketing strategies Located, contracted, and managed consultants that provided direct client services AmeriCorps VISTA November 2003 November 2004 Grant research and composition Created marketing and promotional materials Program support Website content development Developed tools and resources for professional trainings targeted to Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and small business service providers Bingle Page 2
Institute for Social and Economic Development, Coralville, Iowa AmeriCorps VISTA October 2002 October 2003 Directed a corporate-funded youth business program including all classroom trainings, coordination with area bank partners, and distribution of funding Supported 12-week group business development trainings Developed marketing materials for organization, trainings, and specific programs Located applicable grant opportunities and developed eight proposals in 12 months Represented the organization at tradeshows and business expos Performed direct fundraising activities by contacting local for-profit businesses Selected Professional Volunteer Experience Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois Presidential Commission on People with Disabilities September 2010 Present Advise the university president about the needs and concerns of people with disabilities Make recommendations to the president on studies, reports, or other actions needed to address particular issues related to the status of people with disabilities VSA arts, Washington, D.C. External Advisory Panel October 2006 October 2008 Provided recommendation for ongoing affiliation and funding during panel meetings in Washington, D.C. Offered expertise related to program structure, microenterprise opportunities, and budgetary components of proposals Association for Enterprise Opportunity, Washington, D.C. MicroPro Advisory Council January 2006 December 2006 Participated in all planning and development sessions related to MicroPro an online technical assistance portal for microenterprise professionals Took a lead role as part of sub-committee addressing technological issues, marketing efforts, and project sustainability Contracted Research Principal Investigator 2011. Kane County Health Study. Assessment of health practices and risk factors among randomly sampled households in Northeastern Illinois. 2011. Prisoner Reentry Project. Evaluation of a program for former prison inmates in Colorado that asked questions about core training topics and current living situations. 2010. Customer Satisfaction Study. Interviews of key executives that are customers of a Northern Illinois manufacturing firm to understand their satisfaction with products and services. Bingle Page 3
2010. Police Platform Study. Part of a national policing study to improve police services. 2010. SMART Classroom Technology Study. College professors surveyed about their use of SMART classroom equipment and how it can be improved. 2009. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Elgin Assessment of health practices and risk factors among randomly sampled households in Elgin, Illinois. 2009. Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factor Study. Assessment of health practices and risk factors among randomly sampled households in Northern Illinois communities. 2009. SMART Classroom Technology Study. College professors surveyed about their use of SMART classroom equipment and how it can be improved. 2008. Colorado Custodial Parents Study. Evaluation of the influence of a program for custodial parents typically living without the other parent in the household. 2008. Customer Satisfaction Study. Interviews of key stakeholders to gauge their satisfaction with a leading manufacturer of oil pipeline equipment. 2008. Non-Returning Students Study. Survey of former students that did not graduate, but did not enroll for the Fall 2008 semester. Contracted Research Secondary Investigator 2011. Algonquin Public Library Project. Survey of households in Algonquin, Illinois to learn about their use and satisfaction with the community library. 2011. Illinois Health Study. Survey of households in Chicago, Illinois and specific Chicago neighborhoods to understand the health and health practices of youth. 2011. Independent Laboratories Pilot Test. Interviews of laboratory managers to learn if their laboratories use rapid influenza diagnostic testing to determine their inclusion in future studies. 2011. Parental Support Study. Evaluation of a program to understand support systems for single parents in Colorado. 2011. Race and Ethnicity in Vaccination for Vulnerable Elderly. Mail survey of nursing homes that administer influenza vaccines to understand how they test for influenza, treat, and document treatment. 2011. Special Education Study. Assessment of special education efforts in Lake County, Illinois. 2010. Branding Online Study. Survey to inform the development of a university branding initiative. Bingle Page 4
2010. Colorado Arrears Project. Interviews of individuals that are behind with child support payments to learn why and how the system may be improved. 2010. Citizen Satisfaction Study. Interviews of randomly selected households in Dubuque, Iowa to assess their attitudes about the city. 2010. Illinois Policy Survey. Annual survey of randomly sampled Illinois households to learn attitudes and opinions about salient political topics. 2010. Tagline Study. Survey to guide decision making related to development of a university Tagline. 2009. Brand Image Study. Survey and focus groups to inform the development of a university branding initiative. 2009. Centering Pregnancy Study. Assessment of the effectiveness of a program for pregnant women and their spouses comparing a control and experiment group to understand the impact of select training topics. 2009. Illinois Policy Survey. Annual survey of randomly sampled Illinois households to learn attitudes and opinions about salient political topics. 2009. Park District Usage and Satisfaction Study. Survey of randomly selected households in St. Charles, Illinois to learn about citizens' usage and satisfaction with the community park district. 2008. Fine Dining Focus Groups. Focus groups with regular customers and randomly recruited individuals to gauge satisfaction with a fine dining establishment in Rockford, Illinois. Awarded Grants Principal Author 2007. CitiGroup Microenterprise Research Program Proposal. The Aspen Institute. Award supplied an intern to conduct outcomes evaluation interviews measuring program impact on clients. 2007. Proposal to Manage Iowa Alternative Financing and Telework Programs. IowaAble Foundation. $195,000. 2007. Women and Company Microenterprise Boost Program Proposal. CitiGroup Foundation. Award supplied nominal operating funds and pass-through funding to provide low-income female entrepreneurs with business capital. 2006. Building Service Capacity for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities. Tides Foundation. $30,000. 2006. Covad Broadband Entrepreneurs Program Proposal. Covad Communications. Award supplied nominal operating funds and pass-through funding to provide low-income entrepreneurs small equity grants and free broadband internet access for 12 months. Bingle Page 5
2006. Women and Company Microenterprise Boost Program Proposal. CitiGroup Foundation. Award supplied nominal operating funds and pass-through funding to provide low-income female entrepreneurs with business capital. 2005. Covad Broadband Entrepreneurs Program Proposal. Covad Communications. Award supplied nominal operating funds and pass-through funding to provide low-income entrepreneurs small equity grants and free broadband internet access for 12 months. 2005. Women and Company Microenterprise Boost Program Proposal. CitiGroup Foundation. Award supplied nominal operating funds and pass-through funding to provide low-income female entrepreneurs with business capital. 2004. Covad Broadband Entrepreneurs Program Proposal. Covad Communications. Award supplied nominal operating funds and pass-through funding to provide low-income entrepreneurs small equity grants and free broadband internet access for 12 months. Awarded Grants Secondary Author 2007. Building Service Capacity for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities. Tides Foundation. $30,000. 2007. Proposal for Continued Management Services for a Self Employment Initiative. Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation. $185,700. 2007. Proposal for Management of the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. $247,801. 2006. Microenterprise and Disability: Continued Momentum. Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. $50,000. 2006. Proposal for Management Services for a Self Employment Initiative. Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation. $183,300. 2006. Proposal for Management of the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. $235,260. 2005. Increasing Options: Self Employment for People with Disabilities. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. $991,700. 2005. Proposal for Management of the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. $231,195. 2004. Iowa Women s Entrepreneurship Initiative. Iowa Women s Foundation. $5,000. Bingle Page 6
Presentations Bingle, Ben, and Scot Schraufnagel. (2011, April). Revisiting the Importance of the Size of Legislatures: Evidence from the American States. Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois. Bingle, Ben, and Patti Lind. (2007, May). Expanding Your Market: People with Disabilities." Presented at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity Annual Conference, Kansas City, Missouri. Oglesby, Jason, Patti Lind, and Ben Bingle. (2006, May). Market of Millions: Microenterprise Services for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities. Presented at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity Annual Conference, Atlanta, Georgia. Lind, Patti, and Ben Bingle. (2006, April) Business Development for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities. Presented to Hawaii Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind Division, Honolulu, Hawaii. Lind, Patti, and Ben Bingle. (2004, August). Microenterprise Services for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities. Presented at the Rehabilitation Services Administration Employment and DisAbility: The VR Business Partnership Conference, Washington, D.C. Nolte, Mark, Ben Bingle, and Patti Lind. (2004, May). Microenterprise Development and People with Disabilities. Presented at the Association for Enterprise Opportunity Annual Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Professional and Academic Affiliations Midwest Political Science Association Council on Undergraduate Research Phi Alpha Alpha Honor Society for Public Administration January 2011 Present October 2010 Present December 2008 Present American Association for Public Opinion Research August 2008 August 2010 Association for Enterprise Opportunity November 2003 March 2008 Monmouth College Department of Political Science Honors May 2002 Education Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois Doctor of Philosophy 4.0/4.0 GPA Primary Field: Public Administration Secondary Field: American Government August 2009 Present Bingle Page 7
Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa January 2007 December 2008 Master of Public Administration 4.0/4.0 GPA Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois August 1998 May 2002 Bachelor of Arts 3.0/4.0 GPA Major: Business Administration Major: Political Science Bingle Page 8