Points Possible: 300 points (30% of course total points)
The purposes of this assignment are
- To require exploration of leadership and management in nonprofit organizations
- To provide students an opportunity to explore the major functions of nonprofit organization operations relative to the important ideas of innovation, and foresight.
- To help students connect with real-world nonprofit leaders/managers to explore important considerations and opportunities faced by the nonprofit sector.
The deliverable(s) for this assignment
- A paper no fewer than four (4) pages, and no more than six (6) pages of substantive, graduate level work (the page count does not include any cover sheet, reference or appendices as may be required).
- All papers must meet APA format (most recent edition). This includes in structure, citation, and scholarship.
- The final paper submitted must be in Word format, submitted electronically via the appropriate assignment submittal portal/link. Email submissions are not accepted.
The Assignment is Due
- On Sunday, Week 5 by 11:59 p.m. (Los Angeles).
- Please understand: we are well into the new-technology era now, and delays/technical difficulties are part of the normal business of work and school (normal error). Students are expected to start, progress, and complete this assignment on time, using a reasonable timeline. Late assignments will be subject to a 10% deduction in points per day late. This assignment will not be accepted more than two (2) days late. The actual percentage deducted is at the course instructor’s discretion.
The Assignment
Leadership and management in relationship to the three major functions of nonprofit operations (Governance, Programs, and Central Administration) is an interesting exploration in and of itself. Now, add the unknowns and disruption that future issues, innovations, and expectations bring to the relationships. Students are required to interview a nonprofit leader or manager (this must be clear in the paper). Students should schedule time with the leader/manager for the purpose of having a conversation (interview method is acceptable) on the topic of the role of change over the next 5-10 years. What are the anticipated impacts of the influences that may be expected in the next 5-10 years? Examples of what should be covered include: technology, regulation, law, social changes, and innovation. Consider what change in or from these areas will do to/for leadership or management with respect to governance, programs, or central administration. Focus this paper on governance, programs, central administration and leading or managing them in light of what might come in the next 5-10 years.
Rubric: Evaluation Criteria (*Sample below – please modify to specific assignment criteria/points)
| Elements | Exemplary 90-100% |
Proficient 80-89% |
Developing 60-79% |
Emerging 1-59% |
| Content Accuracy | Provides clear identification of the interviewee’s beliefs and practices about change in their own nonprofit or the nonprofit sector as a whole. Utilizing the course textbook or journal articles accurately makes connections to ideas, principles from the text, scholarly literature, course conversation. | Provides fairly clear identification of the interviewee’s beliefs and practices about change in their own nonprofit or the nonprofit sector as a whole. Utilizing the course textbook or journal articles accurately makes connections to ideas, principles from the text, scholarly literature, course conversation. | Provides somewhat clear identification of the interviewee’s beliefs and practices about change in their own nonprofit or the nonprofit sector as a whole. Utilizing the course textbook or journal articles accurately makes connections to ideas, principles from the text, scholarly literature, course conversation. | Does not provide a clear identification of the interviewee’s beliefs and practices about change in their own nonprofit or the nonprofit sector as a whole. Utilizing the course textbook or journal articles accurately makes connections to ideas, principles from the text, scholarly literature, course conversation. |
| Critical Analysis | In-depth discussion of three (3) of the following: -Governance -Programs -Central Administration Presents strong evidence of comparing and contrasting the interviewee’s ideas to research, knowledge from coursework or the text. |
Fair discussion of three (3) of the following: -Governance -Programs -Central Administration Presents some evidence of comparing and contrasting the interviewee’s ideas to research, knowledge from coursework or the text. |
There is some discussion of three (3) or leave one of the three out: -Governance -Programs -Central Administration Presents little/modest evidence of comparing and contrasting the interviewee’s ideas to research, knowledge from coursework or the text. |
There is no discussion of three (3) or leaves two of of the three out: -Governance -Programs -Central Administration Presents little to no, or confusing evidence of comparing and contrasting the interviewee’s ideas to research, knowledge from coursework or the text. |
| Application/ Learning |
The writer provides a clear and detailed rationale explaining support or opposition to the subject’s ideas. Identifies a minimum of 3 learnings from the interview. | The writer provides a fairly clear and detailed rationale explaining support or opposition to the subject’s ideas. Identifies a minimum of 2 learnings from the interview. | The writer provides an inadequate rationale explaining support or opposition to the subject’s ideas. Identifies a minimum of 1 learnings from the interview. | The writer provides no clear and detailed rationale explaining support or opposition to the subject’s ideas, or there is confusion in the writing/impedes communication of the same. Identified no learnings from the interview. |
| Writing Mechanics and APA | The writer clearly demonstrates an understanding of the assignment while using a style, form and language that is appropriate for a college level paper. The writer properly acknowledges the work of others by consistently utilizing current APA style. | The writer demonstrates some understanding of the assignment while using a style, form and language that is appropriate for a college level paper. The writer properly acknowledges the work of others with some APA flaws. |
The writer demonstrates minimal understanding of the assignment while using a style, form and language that is appropriate for a college level paper. The writer properly acknowledges the work of others with major APA flaws. | The writer uses a style, form, and language that are not college level quality. The writer does not acknowledge the work of others, and does not utilize APA style. |
| Use of Sources | The writer has used at least 3 scholarly reference sources. Draws from primary sources for discussion. | The writer has used at least 2 scholarly reference sources. Draws heavily upon secondary sources for discussion. | The writer has used at least 1 scholarly reference sources. Draws heavily upon secondary sources for discussion. | The writer has used no scholarly resources or references. |
Leader Interview