Developing a Service Learning Course on Sustainability Focused Nonprofit Organizations

1. Developing a Service Learning Course on SustainabilityFocused Nonprofit Organizations Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Conference and Expo 2011 David L. Lawrence Convention Center/ 316 October 11, 2011

2. Managing to Achieve the Moment Purpose and Organization of Presentation • Service Learning Course Goals • The goals of service-learning include attainment of a deeper understanding of course content and an increased sense of civic responsibility (Bringle and Hatcher, 1999). • Presentation Purpose and Organization • The purpose of this briefing is to provide strategies and techniques for the development and implementation of a nonprofit management course that achieves the goals summarized above. This presentation includes a description of the project, project time line, implementation steps, outcomes and outcome measurements.

3. Managing to Achieve the Moment Project Description • The International Business and Management (INBM) Department offered a course entitled The Fundamentals of Nonprofit Management during the fall, 2010 term. The course covered a broad scope of governance, strategic and operational aspects of nonprofits with sustainability related missions. The focus of analysis was at an individual organizational level. The network supporting this service learning project included nonprofits located in the same community as Dickinson College, students from multiple disciplines, and me in the role of the instructor.

4. Managing to Achieve the Moment Project Timeline • Pre-Course Service Learning Activities • The course required three months to develop. Actions completed during the pre-course period included completion of the course approval process; completion of instructor service-learning training; development of a detailed course syllabus; development of an electronic course site; and, recruitment of nonprofit community partners and students. • Course Service Learning Activities • The actual service learning student experience began during the third week of this fourteen week course. Students were required to submit weekly reflective journal entries and produce and present the outcomes of their community project during weeks thirteen and fourteen of the course.

5. Managing to Achieve the Moment Implementation Steps • Effective management of the key stakeholder network is the basis for replicating course success. To achieve success, an instructor (course manager) must expertly complete four activities – • Activation • Framing • Mobilizing • Synthesizing (McGuire, 2002).

6. Managing to Achieve the Moment Implementation Step - Activation • Activation refers to “the set of activities employed for identifying and incorporating the persons and resources needed to achieve program goals” (McGuire, 2002, p602). • Service Learning Management Practices • Seek out nonprofits with existing or prior relationships with the college (for example organizations which have served as internship sites, community service sites) • The instructor may also call on his/her professional network contacts to build the set of community partners. • The instructor can promote the course to colleagues in other departments and secure agreements to cross-list the course.

7. Managing to Achieve the Moment Implementation Step - Framing • Framing activities are “used to arrange and integrate a network structure by facilitating agreement on participants’ roles, operating rules and network values” (McGuire, 2002, p603). • Service Learning Management Practices • Complete a formal service agreement between the student/s and the nonprofit. The agreement should also be reviewed and formally signed by the course instructor.

8. Managing to Achieve the Moment Implementation Step - Mobilizing • Mobilizing activities “develop commitment and support for network processes from network participants” (McGuire, 2002, p603). • Service Learning Management Practices • Complete projects that directly improve the organization’s management and/or program capacities can garner community participant commitment. • Gained student buy-in by encouraging all three parties (student, nonprofit manager and instructor) to collaborate in the design of community projects that can be realistically completed within the term and serve as an integral aspect of a major course report and /or presentation.

9. Managing to Achieve the Moment Implementation Step - Synthesizing • Synthesizing activities “build relationships and interactions that result in achieving network purpose” (McGuire, 2002, p603). • Service Learning Management Practices • meeting with relevant network members on site throughout the term to discuss progress on each community project • inviting nonprofit administrators to class sessions to serve as discussion facilitators and/or lecturers • Maintain contact throughout the term via telephone or e-mail with the participating nonprofit organizations

10. Managing to Achieve the Moment Outcomes and Assessment • Community development outcomes from the nonprofit course included the fulfillment of six separate service agreements. • The success of the collaborative efforts were documented • in post service reflections; • the content of term reports; • feedback from the nonprofit managers; • and, results from the formal external course evaluation.

11. Managing to Achieve the Moment Concluding Remarks • The approach employed in the case of this nonprofit management course involved the diligent management of the course’s organizational network.If successfully executed the course helps students reach that moment when the student reaches a deeper understanding of subject matter and commits to greater civic engagement. • Through my work on the Rail Trails project, I learned how important dedication, volunteerism, and a realistic outlook are when starting a non-profit. It is extremely important to not be disheartened by setbacks in the project because in the beginning there will be many, whether it is convincing someone to let us use their land or trying to find funding to support the project. It is important to establish a strong mission and vision in the early stages of the project so that people stay focused on the project and continue to work towards meeting the mission of the organization. Through our readings on volunteerism, I have understood the value of dedicated volunteers and a strong volunteer training program.

12. Managing to Achieve the MomentReferences • Bringle, Robert and Julie Hatcher. 1999. Reflection in Service-Learning: Making Meaning of Experience. Educational Horizons. Summer.179-185. • McGuire, Michael. 2002. Managing Networks: Propositions on What Managers Do and Why They Do It. Public Administration Review 5: 599-609.