Saint Louis University                                                                        Stephen P. Wernet, Ph.D

School of Social Service                                                                      Office: Tegeler Hall 316

&                                                                                             Voice: 977.2714

Department of Public Policy Studies                                                  E Mail: [email protected]

Fall Semester 1999                                                                             Office Hours: By Appt.

 

Introduction to Nonprofit Organization Management (SW S798/ PPSG 693.02)

 

Course Description

This course examines the American nonprofit sector and administration of nonprofit organizations. It analyzes the nonprofit sector from the perspective of civil society and political economy. Furthermore, the course examines nonprofit organization management from the perspective of voluntarism and citizen participation.

 

As a survey, the course will cover five areas: an overview of the nonprofit sector; the mission of nonprofit organizations in a mixed economy; the range of organizational forms taken by nonprofits; resource development; and the principle management functions.

 

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, a student will be able to:

 

A. Knowledge Objectives

 

(1) Analyze the historical evolution of the philosophy, values and selected concepts that define the nonprofit sector.

 

(2) Analyze the characteristics of the nonprofit sector as they are exhibited in the range of nonprofit organizational forms.

 

B. Skill Objectives

 

(1) Compare and contrast nonprofit organizational forms as they differ on resource development.

 

(2) Compare and contrast principal management functions as they are exhibited in the range of nonprofit organizational forms

 

(3) Compare and contrast principal management functions as they are exhibited in resource development

 

C. Values Objectives

 

(1) Evaluate the selected theories of nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector in the context of social work values and ethics.

 

(2) Demonstrate understanding of the effect of culture and ethnicity on the role of nonprofit organizations.

Course Structure

 

The course is taught using a seminar - discussion format. You are expected to complete the assigned readings prior to the class meeting, prepare two or three well-thought out questions or items for class discussion and help facilitate the discussion.

 

Evaluation Methods

 

Two components will be used for evaluating the student’s performance in this course: class participation and a project. Each component will contribute 50% to the final course grade.

 

Class Participation: There are three levels of participation: active, moderately active and passive. An active participant contributes to the general learning of the class, asks pertinent questions, and shares relevant insights. Active participation earns an “A”. A moderately active participant actively listens, reacts to information, and asks relevant questions when confused by course content. Moderately active participation earns a “B”. Attendance is not participation, is passive, and is unacceptable for graduate studies.  Attendance earns a “C”.

 

Class Project: The completion of a project is required for this course. The project is meant to demonstrate your command and understanding of the course material. The project may consist of the analysis of a theoretical issue (e.g. a traditional library based research paper), a case analysis or some other suitable creative project. The project will be developed in consultation with the instructor. The project is due on Wednesday, December 8, 1999.

 

Textbooks

 

Required:

 

Robert D. Herman and Associates. 1994. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, Inc.

 

Lester M. Salamon. 1999. America’s Nonprofit Sector. A Primer. Second Edition. New York: The Foundation Center.

 

Kevin M. Guthrie. 1996. The New York Historical Society. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc.

 

Recommended:

David M. Austin. 1988. The Political Economy of Human Services Programs. Greenwich Connecticut: JAI Press, Inc.

Roger A. Lohmann. 1992.  The Commons.  New Perspectives on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action.  San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

 

W.W. Powell (Ed.)1987. The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook. New Haven: Yale University Press.

 

Other Readings as assigned.

 

 

 

Course Schedule

 

Required Reading

Recommended Reading

August 25, 1999: Introduction     

 

 

 

Salamon: Chapter 1 & Chapter 2: pages 7-11

Lohmann. The Commons. pages 1-82.

 

 

 

Bush, R.  1992.  Survival of the nonprofit spirit in a for-profit world.  Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  21(4), 391-410.

 

 

September 1, 1999: The Commons

 

 

 

Van Til: Nonprofit Organizations and Social Institutions. In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

Austin. 1988. The Political Economy of Human Services Programs. Pages 1-33.

 

 

 

Lohmann. The Commons. Pages 83-157.

 

 

September 8, 1999: History of the Nonprofit Sector

 

 

 

Salamon: Chapter 5

Salamon: The Nonprofit Sector and the Evolution of the American Welfare State.  In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

 

 

Hall: Historical Perspectives on Nonprofit Organizations. In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

Austin. 1988. The Political Economy of Human Services Programs. Pages 85-158.

 

 

September 15, 1999: Theories of the Nonprofit Sector

 

 

 

Salamon: Chapter 2: pages 11-19

Lohmann.  The Commons. pages 158-195.

 

 

Hansmann: Economic Theories of Nonprofit Organizations. In Powell (Ed). The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook.

 

 

 

Douglas: Political Theories of Nonprofit Organizations. In Powell (Ed). The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook.

 

 

 

Salamon: Partners in Public Service: The Scope and Theory of Government-Nonprofit Relations.  In Powell (Ed). The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook.

 

 

 

 

September 22, 1999: Theories of the Nonprofit Sector (cont)

 

 

 

Zald, M. 1970. Political economy: A framework for comparative analysis. In M. Zald. (Ed). Power in Organizations. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University Press.

Austin. 1988. The Political Economy of Human Services Programs. Pages 159-228.

 

 

 

Knoke, D.  1985.  The political economies of associations.  Research in Political Sociology. 1, 211-242.

 

 

 

S. P. Wernet. 1994. A case study of adaptation in a nonprofit human service organization.  Journal of Community Practice. 1(3), 93-112.

 

 

September 29, 1999: Characteristics of the Nonprofit Sector

 

 

 

Salamon: Chapters 3 & 4

Rudney: The scope and dimensions of nonprofit activity.   In Powell (Ed). The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook

 

 

 

 Lohmann. The Commons. Pages 196-214.

 

 

October 6, 1999: Charateristics of the Nonprofit Sector (cont)

 

Salamon: Chapters 6-11

Simon: The Tax Treatment of nonprofit organizations: A review of federal and state policies.   In Powell (Ed). The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook.

 

 

 

Steinberg: Nonprofit Organizations and the Market. In Powell (Ed). The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook.

 

 

October 13, 1999: Range of Nonprofit Organizational Forms

 

 

 

D.H. Smith.  1991.  Four Sectors or Five?  Retaining the Member-Benefit Sector. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  20(2), 137-150.

D.H. Smith  1993. Public benefit and member benefit nonprofit, voluntary groups. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  22(1), 53-68.

 

 

 

D.H. Smith  1992.  A neglected type of voluntary nonprofit organization: Exploration of the semiformal, fluid-membership organization. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  21(3), 251-270.

 

 

 

A. Trojan, E. Halves, H.Wetendorf, and R. Bauer.  1990.  Activity areas and developmental stages in self-help groups.   Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  19(3), 263-278.

 

 

 

 S.Z. Kalifon.  1991.  Self-help groups providing services: Conflict and change. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  20(2), 191-206.

 

 

October 20, 1999 : Voluntarism and Volunteers

 

 

 

McCurley: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers. In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

Lohmann. The Commons. pages 215-252.

 

 

Brudney: Designing and Managing Voluteer Programs.  In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

D.H. Smith.  1994. Determinants of voluntary association participation and volunteering: A literature review. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 23(3), 243-263.

 

 

 

D.S. Story.  1992. Volunteerism: The "self-regarding" and "other-regarding" aspects of the human spirit.  Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  21(1), 3-18.

 

 

 

R.A. Cnaan and L. Amrofell.  1994. Mapping volunteer activity. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 23(4), 335-351.

 

 

 

R. Sundeen and S.A. Rashoff.  1994. Volunteering among teenagers in the United States.  Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 23(4), 383-404

 

 

 

R. Sundeen. 1992. Differences in personal goals and attitudes among volutneers. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 21(3), 271-291.

 

 

 

E.G. Clary, M. Snyder, J.T. Copeland, and S.A. French. 1994. Promoting volunteerism: An empirical examination of the appeal of persuasive messages.  Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 23(3), 265-280.

 

 

 

R.A. Cnaan and R.S. Goldberg-Glen. 1991. Measuring motivation to volunteer in human services. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science. 27(3), 269-284.

 

 

 

J. H. Stanfield II.  1993.  African American traditions of civic responsibility. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  22(2), 137-154.

 

 

 

Chambre, S.M. 1992. Limits of the workplace analogy: Are volunteers unpaid staff?.  Nonprofit Management and Leadership. 2(3), 303-309.

 

 

October 27, 1999: Volunteer Boards of Directors

 

 

 

Axelrod: Board Leadership and Board Development. In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

Middleton: Nonprofit Boards of Directors: Beyond Governance Function. In Powell (Ed). The Nonprofit Sector. A Research Handbook.

 

 

 

D. M. Austin and C. Woolever. 1992.  Voluntary association boards: A reflection of member and community characteristics. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  21(2), 181-194.

 

 

 

Harris, M. 1990. Voluntary leaders in voluntary welfare agencies. Social Policy & Administration. 24(2), 156-167.

 

 

November 3, 1999: Executive Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations

 

 

 

Herman and Heimovics: Executive Leadership. In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

Wernet, S.P. and D.M. Austin.  1991.  Decision making style and leadership patterns in nonprofit human service organizations.  Administration in Social Work. 15(1), 1-15.

 

 

 

Austin, D.M.  1989.  The human service executive.  Administration in Social Work. 14, 13-36.

 

 

 

Herman, R. and R. Heimovics. 1990.  Responsibility for critical events in nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. 19(1), 59-72.

 

 

 

R. Kleidman. 1994. Volunteer activism and professionalism in social movement organizations. Social Problems.  41(2), 257-276.

 

 

 

S. Staggenborg.  1988.  The consequences of professionalization and formalization in the pro-choice movement.  American Sociological Review.  53, 585-605.

 

 

November 10, 1999: Resource Management

 

 

 

Rathgeb Smith: Managing the Challenges of Government Contracts.  In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

Lohmann. The Commons. pages 253-276.

 

 

Fogel: Designing and managing the Fundraising Program. In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

 

 

 

Massarsky: Enterprise Strategies for Generating Revenue.  In Herman and Associates. The Jossey-Bass Handbook of Nonprofit Leadership and Management.

 

 

 

November 17, 1999: A Case Study

 

 

 

Guthrie: The New York Historical Society.

 

 

 

December 1, 1999: A Case Study (cont)

 

 

 

Guthrie: The New York Historical Society.

 

 

 

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