Nonprofit Organization’s Board Simulation

1. Nonprofit Organization’sBoard Simulation Mary Ann Feldheim Associate Professor Department of Public Administration

2. Basis for Simulation Model • Pragmatic Approach to Learning • Dewey • What do people need to know to work in the area? • Mary Parker Follett • Application of knowledge to real world situations • Focus on addressing social problems

3. Bloom’s Taxonomy • Cognitive • The cognitive domain involves knowledge and the development of intellectual skills. • Recall • Comprehension • Application • Analysis • Synthesis • Evaluation • Affective • This domain includes the manner in which we deal with things emotionally, such as feelings, values, appreciation, motivations, and attitudes. • Awareness • Responding • Valuing • Organizing values • Internalizing values • Psychomotor • This domain includes the actual physical development of psychomotor skills.

4. Simulation • Nonprofit Board • Students act as Board Members of a “fictitious” nonprofit organization that the Board is seeking to establish. • Each student is required to serve on one Board Committee, to review two articles from peer reviewed journals on specific areas of nonprofit management, and as a committee member to research an area of nonprofit management and to write a detailed report for the Board by the end of the semester.

5. Executive Committee • Board Chair • Develops Agenda • Facilitates Meeting – Keeping Discussions Focused • Follows-up with Committees • Summarizes Discussions at End of Meeting • Writes Final Report on Duties of the Executive Committee • Treasurer • Chairs the Finance Committee • Assures There are Financial Policies, Realistic Budget, and a system of accounts. • Helps write the final report with the Finance Committee. • Secretary • Develops Minutes for each of the Board Meetings • Helps write the Final Report

6. Committees • Each Committee Develops Policies, Reports, and a Final Report Based on the Literatures • Bylaws • Incorporation • Planning • Finance • Personnel • Fund Raising • Search • Marketing

7. Costs to Instructor Time Complexity Commitment Knowledge Frustrated Students Benefits to Students Knowledge Law Management Fund Raising Marketing Involvement Applied Knowledge Investment in Product Commitment to Field Understanding of Leadership Process Costs and Benefits

8. Lessons on Simulations • Simulations are fun! • Simulations require commitment! • Simulations are work! • Simulations must be well thought out. • Simulations need clear guidelines.

9. Tips for Instructors • Be Committed! • To the project • To an institution • Be Flexible • Change procedures if needed • Try to keep a schedule of student assignments • Plan to manage the data • Create multiple groups and subgroups • Make your work managable.

10. Final Tips • Have fun. • Like your simulation. • Like your subject matter. • Get to know your students and develop their skills.