PADM 7040 Nonprofit Management Course Introduction & Overview Jerry Merwin

Introduction & Overview  This is our first “lecture” or outline I will distribute for participants to review along with the readings.  I tend to prefer the outline format and will often pose questions rather than providing the traditional lecture.  This fits with the way I generally conduct a traditional class.

Introduction & Overview (2)  When I conduct a regular class with a room full of students I like to use what is called the “Socratic Method” of teaching. This is based on the tradition started by Socrates, who taught through asking his students questions. By answering the questions, students learn actively rather than passively.

Introduction & Overview (3)  Extending this concept to the online course, I will try to stimulate discussions that will help us all learn.  Some students might know more about a specific topic than I do. In this case, it is best to have input from someone who is knowledgeable on the topic.

Introduction & Overview (4)  Even when students are not experts on a topic, I want to draw out the ideas everyone has picked up from the readings.  As we all know, different people will get different meanings from the text.  I will often minimize my entries in the discussion threads in hopes that I will not steal someone else’s opportunity to contribute.

Textbooks & Readings  You might wonder why one of our books for a management course is titled Strategic Marketing for NonProfit Organizations. Hopefully as you read the book you will understand, but I will also provide some explanation.  In nonprofit organizations, marketing is a very important part of survival.  It will be useful for anyone involved in a nonprofit to understand the role of marketing.  There is also a lot of overlap between strategic planning for the organization and strategic marketing planning.

Textbooks & Readings (2)  The book, Strategic Marketing for NonProfit Organizations, also covers many management topics as it explains how marketing fits into the organization.  We also have Cases and Applications in Non-Profit Management, a collection of readings targeted at nonprofit management.

Textbooks & Readings (3)  In the first weeks of our course we will get into some basic concepts that will hopefully shape our course as we continue.  The case # 34 in Cases and Applications in Non-Profit Management might give you some ideas you can use in gathering information for your project, the Nonprofit Overview Presentation.  I will also assign some other readings as we progress through the course.

Textbooks & Readings (4)  It is unlikely that we will get through all the chapters or cases during our class.  I hope that you will come back later and read other chapters and cases that you find interesting.  Many students find that the marketing book serves as a reference that they will use as they progress in their careers.

Discussion Questions for This Week  Thread 1: Introductions I have provided an introduction to give you an idea of who I am and why I am teaching this course. Give us any information you think will be relevant as an introduction. This might include any experience or involvement you might have had with nonprofit organizations.

Discussion Questions (2)  Thread 2: Questions Be sure to read the syllabus and related pages carefully and then ask any questions you have that might be of general interest. If you have questions that are strictly of a personal nature, those should be submitted through . The advantage of asking the general questions through the discussion thread is that everyone can benefit from the answers. Thanks for your help in clarifying the requirements of the course. Jerry