Page 1

COMM 421 Nonprofit

COMX 421 Communication in Nonprofit Organizations

Spring 2015

Instructor: Dr. Joel IversonPhone: 243-4426

Office: L.A. 359E-mail: – that is where to reach me.

Office Hours – Office Hours: M 8:30 AM W 9-10 AM and by appointment (This is reasonable flexible in case you have a conflict during office hours). I answer email once or twice a day on weekdays. I also answer some emails in class if others may have the same question.

Course Description and Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to provide you with an overview of issues and topics in nonprofit organizational communication, at micro and macro levels. Our method of study will be a combination of reading, discussion, lecture, research, and analysis with a goal of coming to a broad understanding of the role of communication in the nonprofit sector. We will develop a broad understanding of the current opportunities and challenges in the nonprofit sector, central communication issues for nonprofit organizations as well as engage in the local nonprofit community. During the semester, you will engage in an interview with a nonprofit organizational leader, write a literature review on an important topic in nonprofit organizational communication, discuss and of course celebrate the knowledge we have gained in written form. You will also be required to complete twocelebrations (written expressions of knowledge) and two shorter papers.

Course Learning Outcomes:

  1. To introduce you to a range of topics involved in the study and practice of organizational communication in nonprofit organizations.
  2. To facilitate your critical understanding of issues and politics involved in nonprofit organizational communication.
  3. To develop your ability to analyze and significantly address nonprofit organizational problems.
  4. To increase your ability to write analytical papers.
  5. To foster an open mind so that we may fully comprehend the complex social constructs that influence nonprofit organizations and communication
  6. To create a safe space for discussion and learning.

Required Texts

That is old terminology for a pre-digital age. We will instead have required readings, but those will be distributed in electronic form. Hooray for Moodle!!

Course Requirements

Celebrations of Knowledge: There will be two events similar to what you know as examinations over the, articles, podcasts, and discussions. Since this is a writing course, the format of the exams will consist of short answer/essay questionsas well as a few matching or multiple guess questions. Celebrations will serve to review and allow you the opportunity to synthesize the material we cover as well as express your own thoughts beyond the discussion.

Papers: There will be two papers for this class. The first paper will be the result of your research about a nonprofit and an interview with a member of that nonprofit organization. Students will focus on questions generated from early readings in the course. The second paper will extend your work on the first. Multiple options exist for the second paper. I have included the general description in this syllabus as well. More details to come on each as is needed.

Grading

My Grading Philosophy: An assignment that meets, but does not exceed the basic requirements will receive a grade somewhere in the “C” range. So, for example, if a written assignment requires you to answer a series of four (4) questions and you only answer three (3) questions, the MOST you can expect to receive on that assignment is 75%--regardless of how well you answered the other three questions. Assignments are developed to achieve a variety of academic and assessment goals and I have attempted to be very specific in the assignments about exactly what is required. So, if you have a question about the assignment—its content, format, etc., just ask. I welcome the opportunity to work with you on any of your projects. I will offer suggestions and review drafts. Please, if there is any doubt, do not hesitate to ask.

To earn an “A” on an assignment, you will need to be extremely proficient at explaining, applying, evaluating, and synthesizing the concepts, models, and theories covered in this class. An “A” goes to truly excellent work. I hope you will approach this grading philosophy as a challenge.

Basis of the Course Grade

Page 1

COMM 421 Nonprofit

Celebration One______1000 points

Paper One______1000 points

Paper Two______1000points

Celebration 2______1000 points

Reading/Activity______500 points max

Total______4,000 to 4,500 points

Grading Scale: Grades in this class will not be curved, and will be assigned on the following scale:

A90%B 80%C 70%D 60%F less than 60%

Remember that grades are earned, not given. Grades do not define who you are, but do reflect on the outcome or product you turn in. I cannot evaluate effort, but effort does tend to result in a better outcome. I work to fairly evaluate the work on the criteria we set forth. If you feel I have made an error in evaluation, write down that objection to my evaluation of the content and then email me. I am happy to correct mistakes I have made. I do not change grades because someone wants or thinks they should get a different grade. I evaluate the outcome.

Policies

1. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University.

2.All students must be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at

3.All celebrations of knowledge will be due on the assigned date

4. Papers will be typed and proofread and turned in on the date assigned.

Respectful Environment: You will be expected to act respectfully towards others in this class and assist in maintaining a civil and professional atmosphere for the classincluding discussions, email, and other exciting interactions. This includes respecting differing opinions, not using vulgar language, and creating a supportive environment.

Disability Statement

If you have a disability for which accommodations are needed please contact me in the first week of the semester. We will discuss what accommodations you need and will receive in this course. Also, please contact:
Disability Services for Students (DSS)(406) 243-2243 (Voice/Text)
Lommasson Center 154 FAX 406-243-5330
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812

Tentative Schedule for Fall 2011 COMM 421

Jan26Introduction, Sector
28Reading 1 Sector and CommReading 1 Frumkin & 2.1 (optional)

30Readings 2 &3

Feb 2What CSOs and Org CommReading 3 - LewisCSOs

Feb 4,6Koshman Reading and videos

9,11,13,16*,18Mission, Strategy,Boards, Effectiveness4 Readings:

Sanders & McLellan; Fairhurst et al.;

Brown & Iverson; Herman and Renz

20,23,25,27Volunteers & EmployeesReadings: Garner & Garner; Brown &

Yoshioka; 1 other

March 2Celebration of Knowledge 1

Mar 4,6,9Empowerment & AccountabilityDempsey; Ashcraft &Kedrowicz; 1 other

Paper #1 Due March 9

11,13, 16Accountability and Stakeholders2 readings TBA

18,20,23Fundraising and Donor 2 readings

25,27Writing workshopSmall readings

Spring Break!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 6,8,10Globalism and Human Rights2 readings

13,15,17Spirituality and Emotional LaborConsidine; 1 other

20,22Narrative & Nonprofit2 readings

24Framing, writing for nonprofitsSmall reading

27,29TechnologyIverson & Burkart; 1 other reading

May 1,4Review of Nonprofits and Org Comm

6,8, FinalCelebration of Knowledge 2

Paper Presentations

Final is Thursday, May 14th10:10 to 12:10 AM – we will use this to do celebration or presentations.

Jan 26

Feb 246

91113

16*1820

232527

Mar246

91113

161820

232527

30

Apr13

6810

131517

202224

2729

May1

468

Finals-----

Tentative Course Schedule

Week OneTopic: What is a Nonprofit Organization & How Does Organizational Communication Work?
Janruary 26 / 26 Introduction and the sorting hat
Video
Readings:
28 Frumkin, P. (2002). On being nonprofit: A conceptual and policy primer (1-27). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press
Video
30 “Nonprofit” vs. “Not-for-profit” – does it make a difference? Retrieved from:
Video as well
Week Two
Feb 2 / Readings:
2Lewis, L. (2005). The civil society sector. Management Communication Quarterly, 19, 238-267.
4 Koschman, M.
6
Week Three
September 9 / Topic: Starting a Nonprofit Organization: The Story of Room to Read
Readings:
  • Wood, J. (2006). Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s odyssey to educate the world’s children. New York: HarperCollins, (1-19).
  • Room to Read Strategic Plan. Retrieved from:
  • SBA Chapter 1
  • Rangan, V.K. (2004). Lofty missions, down-to-earth plans. Harvard Business Review, 82(3), 112-119.

Week Four
September 16 / Topic: Developing a Mission and Vision
Readings:
  • Fairhurst, G., Jordan, J., & Neuworth, K. (1997). Why are we here? Managing the meaning of an organizational mission statement. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 25, 243-263.
  • Collins, J.C., & Porras, J.I. (1996). Building your company’s vision. Harvard Business Review, 74(5), 65-77.
  • SBA Chapter 4
Roundtable I: NP Directors Discuss Mission and Vision
Week Five
September 23 / Topic: Strategy and Strategic Planning
Readings:
  • Hambrick, D.C., & Fredrickson, J.W. (2001). Are you sure you have a strategy? Academy of Management Executive, 15(4), 48-59.
  • Brown, W.A., & Iverson, J.O. (2004). Exploring strategy and board structure in nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 33(3), 377-400.
  • Herman, R.D., & Renz, D.O. (2008). Advancing nonprofit organizational effectiveness research and theory: Nine theses. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 18(4), 399-415.
Roundtable II: NP Directors Discuss Strategic Planning
Research Proposal Due!
Week Six
September 29 / Topic: Writing Literature Reviews and Academic Papers
Readings:
  • Zorn, T., & Campbell, N. (2006). Improving the writing of literature reviews through a literature integration exercise. Business Communication Quarterly, 69, 172-183).
Visit from staff at the Writing Center – Bach in Amsterdam at EACH
Week Seven
October 7 / Topic: Nonprofit Governance: Boards, Accountability and Transparency
Readings:
  • SBA Chapter 2
  • Independent Sector. (2007). Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practices: A Guide for Foundations and Charities. Retrieved from

Principles_for_Good_Governance_and_Ethical_Practice.pdf.
  • Taylor, B.E., Chait, R.P., Holland, T.P. (1996). The new work of the nonprofit board. Harvard Business Review, 74(5), 36-46.
NO CLASS October 9 - Bach in Chicago for NCA Lumina Project
Week Eight
October 14 / Mid-Term Exam
Topic: Staff Recruitment and Management
Readings:
  • SBA Chapter 13
  • Gellar, S. L., & Salamon, L. M. (2008). A Nonprofit Workforce Action Agenda: Report on the Listening Post Project Roundtable on Nonprofit Recruitment and Retention. John Hopkins University.
  • Brown, W.A., & Yoshikoa, C.F. (2003). Mission attachment and satisfaction as factors in employee retention. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 14(1), 5-18.

Week Nine
October 21 / Topic: Staff Burnout
Readings:
  • Eschenfelder, B. (2012). Exploring the nature of nonprofit work through emotional labor. Management Communication Quarterly, 26(1), 173-178.
  • Karabanow, J. (1999). When caring is not enough: Emotional labor and youth shelter workers. Social Service Review, 73, 340-357.
  • Considine, J.R. (2007). The dilemmas of spirituality in the caring professions: Care-provider spiritual orientation and the communication of care. Communication Studies, 58(3), 227-242.

Week Ten
October 28 / Topic: Why do people volunteer?
Readings:
  • Sagawa, S. (2010). The American way to change: How national service and volunteers and transforming America (p. 9-50). San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
  • McAllum, K. (2013). Meanings of organizational volunteering: Diverse organizational pathways. Management Communication Quarterly, 28(1), 84-110.
  • Volunteering In America 2010 Report. Available:

Week Eleven
November 4 / Topic: Managing and Recruiting Volunteers
Readings:
  • Brudney, J.L. (2010). Designing and managing volunteer programs. In D.O. RenzAssociates, The Jossey-Bass handbook of nonprofit leadership and management (pp. 753-793). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Vecina, M.K., Chacon, R., Marzana, D., & Marta, E. (2013). Volunteer engagement and organizational commitment in nonprofit organizations: What makes volunteers remain within organizations and feel happy? Journal of Community Psychology, 41(3), 291-302.
  • Garner, J.T., & Garner, L.T. (2011). Volunteering an opinion: Organizational voice and volunteer retention in nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 40(5), 813-828.
NO CLASS November 4 – Election Day
Literature Review Due!
Week Twelve
November 11 / Topic: Public Relations/Marketing
Readings:
  • SBA Chapters 3 and 8
  • Patterson, S. J., & Radtke, J. M. (2009). Strategic communications for nonprofit organizations: Seven steps to creating a successful plan (p. 87-112). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
NO CLASS November 11 – Veteran’s Day
Week Thirteen
November 18 / Topic: Cultivating Donors and Fundraising
Readings:
  • SBA Chapter 5
  • VanSlyke, D.M., & Brooks, A.C. (2005). Why do people give? New evidence and strategies for nonprofit managers. American Review of Public Administration, 35, (3), 199-222.
  • Waters, R. D. (2011). Increasing fundraising efficiency through evaluation: Applying communication theory to the nonprofit organization-donor relationship. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 40(3), 458-475.
Roundtable III: NP Fundraisers Discuss Challenges and Opportunities in Fundraising
Week Fourteen
November 25 / Topic: Advocacy and Government Relations
Readings:
  • SBA Chapter 9
  • Avner, M. (2010). Advocacy, lobbying, and social change. In D.O. RenzAssociates, The Jossey-Bass handbook of nonprofit leadership and management (pp.347-374). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Schulman, B., (2006). From the War on Poverty to an Economy That Works for All. Retrieved from:
NO CLASS November 27 - Thanksgiving
Week Fifteen
December 2 / Topic: Wrap-Up and Paper Presentations
Final Paper Due at Presentation Time!
Week Sixteen
December 8 / Topic: Project Presentations

1