6-4 Final Project: Final Project Milestone #6: Matrix Review the archival materials obtained from the organization. Create a Matrix that lists the different documents that were reviewed, provides a br

6-4 Final Project: Final Project Milestone #6: Matrix Review the archival materials obtained from the organization. Create a Matrix that lists the different documents that were reviewed, provides a br
OL 265: Final Project – Non -Profit Organizational Research This document outlines the following elements of the final project: 1. Overview 2. Objectives 3. Deliverables 4. Interview Format 5. Interview Questions 6. Checklist for Archival Information 7. Final Paper Format 8. Grading Rubric Overview This assignment provides students the opportunity to research the roles and systems of a nonprofit organization. One of the best sources for gathering information about the “hot topics” in a field of study is to speak with people who are practitioners and review the organization’s published materials. The assignment includes two components: Research Interviewing and Review of Published Materials for the same organization. The goal of Research Interviewing of a professional who w orks as a manager in the non -profit field is to help understand: 1. The way a manager fulfills their role(s) and responsibilities within their organization. 2. Discovery of potential career opportunities 3. Develop an understanding of the practical application of theories and concepts learned in this course. The purpose of Review of Published Materials that explain the mission and programs of the organization is to develop a better understanding of how nonprofit organizations publicize their activities and documen t the work that they do. Research Interviewing deliverables : 1. An Interview Instrument that will include a prepared set of questions to be asked during the interview (1 page) 2. Interview Report on the interview experience including a brief overview of the sem inal findings based on the interview notes (3 -5 pages) Review of Published Materials deliverable : 3. A Matrix that lists the different documents that were reviewed, provides a brief description of each, and outlines their use. (1 -2 pages) Final deliverable: Reflection on both the processes 4. An Final Paper that describes the student’s methodology (how they completed their research), observations and findings (what they learned about the organization through the interview and written materials that were) and conclusions (a self -reflection of what they felt was valuable or not about doing the research) on the critical analysis of the findings (5 -6 pages) Deliverables Milestone Deliverables Module Grade 1 Journal : S elect a nonprofit organization in your community that you are hoping will be the focus of your final project throughout the course. 1-2 Non -graded 2 Journal: Submit information about the organization you are hoping to research 2-2 Non -graded 3 Arrange a date and time for the interview. Remember that the interview is to be completed before the end of week 5. Journal : Report progress and concerns in the Journal. Submit the Interview Instrument before the interview to receive feedback from the instructor before the interview (1 page) 3-2 3-4 Non -graded Graded 80 points 4 Journal : Finalize plans for the interview. Remember to obtain the Signed Consent Form before the interview. Complete the interview before the end of week 5. Report progress and concerns in the Journal. 4-2 Non -graded 5 Interview : Conduct the interview. Interview Report : Complete and submit the interview report (3 -5 pages) along with the Signed Consent Form No deliverable 5-3 Non -graded Graded 225 points 6 Matrix : Complete and submit the matrix (1 -2 pages) 6-4 Graded 100 points 7 Final Paper Draft : Complete the first draft to receive instructor feedback 7-3 Non -graded 8 Submit the Final Paper 8-3 Graded 375 points Interview Format The purpose of interviewing nonprofit manager or administrator is to gain a better understanding of the roles that people who work within a nonprofit organization assume, and the systems that guide their work. This includes topic member responsibilities, staff job descriptions, source(s) of funding, programs operated and clients served. In order to achieve these tasks, these are the steps students wil l need to take. NOTE: You have the option of conducting a face -to-face or phone interview. 1. Step 1: Identify an organization you wish to learn about by assessing your own interests. Which client population interests you: youth, seniors, homeless people, people with addictions, people with disabilities, mentally ill people – among others? Using the Internet, or speaking with people you know, identify a nonprofit organization that is of interest and is accessible. 2. Step 2: Identify people to Interview. Starting with l ists of people you already know, friends, relatives, fellow students, present or former co -workers, supervisors, neighbors, etc., obtain contact information (telephone number and e -mail). You may also consider calling the organization and asking for the n ame of the name someone who can help you with your assignment. 3. Step 3: Arrange the interview. While different people have different styles, one way of starting this step is by sending an introduc tory e – mail to the person you would like to interview and as king when might be a good time to meet – taking into consideration the time constraints of the course. Very often the e -mail address will be listed on the organization’s website, or you can call and ask for it. It is important to set (for yourself) a tim e limit for a response. Remember, you only have a few weeks to complete the interview. 4. Step 4: Set the Time and Place (for face -to-face) and remember to have your questions (from Evaluate 3.1), your document checklist, a note pad, a pen or pencil ready to go. In getting ready for the interview, make sure you review your questions and checklist. You’ll want to make sure that you are prepared. 5. Step 5: Conduct the interview. If conduction face -to-face interview, be sure to arrive early (10 minutes is good) a nd dress appropriately (You don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression). Make sure that before you leave you have covered everything and that you obtained as much written material about the organization as you could. Remember, it is possib le that not all of the information you want to review will be available online. 6. Step 6: Follow Up: As soon as you leave, rewrite your notes while the information is still fresh in your mind. Thank the person for their time by sending a thank you note with in one week. 7. Write up the final Interview Report including the Interview Instrument. NOTE: Remember that the Interview Consent Form will need to be completed by you and signed by the person you are interviewing prior to the interview. The actual interv iew should be conducted during weeks 4 -5 of the semester and take from 30 -60 minutes. Interview Questions Parts of the Interview: Part 1: State the purpose of the interview 1. Explain the purpose and highlight the focus of the interview: Examine how a nonprofit organization works: the types of people who volunteer and work there, the structure of the organization, its programs and its clients. Also state that you are taking a college course and that the interview is necessary to complete your final assi gnment. Remember to stay on track during the interview but allow for spontaneous discussion. Start your questions (take brief notes, it is better to listen). Part 2: Historic Information  Ask for some background information about the organization:  When w as it created?  Why did people think it was needed?  Who were the founders? Part 3: Ask about the structure of the organization  What kinds of people are on the topic ? Careers, community interests … etc.  What are the different levels of authority within the organization?  Ask for examples of the jobs people have within the organization. Part 3: Ask about the operation of the organization  Does the organization, or its staff, require any kinds of special education or licenses?  How are decisions made about t he types of programs the organization provides? Who makes the decisions? Ask for an example.  What are the sources of the organization’s funding?  How large is its operating budget? Part 4: Ask about organizational relationships  Who does the organization serve… who are its clients?  How does the organization provide outreach to clients?  What other organizations does it work with?  Ask the person being interviewed to describe a typical day. End by asking the person this challenge question: “What is the greate st challenge you have faced as a manager in the organization and why was it your greatest challenge?” Part 5: Thank the person and don’t forget the Interview Consent Form! Archival Information Checklist Below is a checklist of written information you should try to obtain from the person you are interviewing. Some of the information should be easily accessible. Some might be harder to obtain – and may not be readily available. For each item you will need to explain in your final report whether you we re able to obtain it or not. You will not lose points for not being able to obtain information – but you will lose points if you do not explain the reason it was not obtained —even if it is as simple as “I asked, but it is not available.”  Copy of the orga nization’s mission statement.  Information about the programs and services provided.  Outreach materials.  Organizational Chart  Sources of funding Final Paper Format Critically analyze the interview answers: (a) compare and contrast your knowledge and understanding of course concepts with what was stated in the interview, (b) reflect on the translation of theory and evidence of that in practice, and (c) identify and a nalyze the ethical dilemmas that arose in your interview. Below is the list of elements to be covered in your final paper:  Introductory statement about the organization you selected (where it is located, who are its clients) and why it was selected .  Des cription of the method used to identify the organization you selected to study.  Describe what you learned about the social service provider that you contacted: o Historic Information about the organization o The structure of the organization o The operation of the organization o Organizational relationships  What information did you learn when you asked the ‘challenge’ question (see above).  Describe your personal reactions to the visit / interview.  What did you learn about the relationship between nonprofits and s ociety as a result of this assignment? Rubric for Final Paper Requirements of submission: This assignment must follow these formatting guidelines: double spacing, 12 -point Times New Roman font, one – inch margins, and discipline -appropriate citations. Critical Elements Exemplary ( 100%) Proficient ( 85%) Needs Improvement ( 55%) Not Evident ( 0%) Value Main Elements Includes almost all of the main elements and requirements and cites multiple examples to illustrate each element Includes most of the main elements and requirements and cites many examples to illustrate each element Includes some of the main elements and requirements Does not include any of the main elements and requirements 25 Inquiry and Analysis Explores multiple issues through extensive collection and in -depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions Explores some issues through collection and in -depth analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions Explores minimal issues through collection and analysis of evidence to make informed conclusions Does not explore issues through collection and analysis of evidence and does not make informed conclusions 20 Integration and Application All of the course concepts are correctly applied Most of the course concepts are correctly applied Some of the course concepts are correctly applied Does not correctly apply any of the course concepts 10 Critical Thinking Demonstrates comprehensive exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion Demonstrates moderate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion Demonstrates minimal exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion Does not demonstrate exploration of issues and ideas before accepting or forming an opinion or conclusion 20 Research Incorporates many scholarly resources effectively that reflect depth and breadth of research Incorporates some scholarly resources effectively that reflect depth and breadth of research Incorporates very few scholarly resources that reflect depth and breadth of research Does not incorporate scholarly resources that reflect depth and breadth of research 15 Writing (Mechanics/Citations) No errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations Minor errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations Some errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations Major errors related to organization, grammar and style, and citations 10 Earned Total: 100