Free Management Library's
Free, Online Nonprofit Organization and Management Development Program
The Free Nonprofit Micro-eMBA(SM)
© Copyright Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, Authenticity Consulting, LLC.
Much of this program is based on materials adapted from the
Nonprofit Capacity Building Toolkit(SM)
and
Field
Guide to Consulting and Organizational Development
This Complete, Free Development Program Can Be Implemented:
- By service organizations to promptly provide a nonprofit and management development program in their locale -- this program can be adopted "as is" or modified (guidelines are included herein for carrying out the program in a very low-cost, straightforward fashion)
- As a free, self-paced program for nonprofit entrepreneurs, leaders and managers
- As a free, self-paced program for consultants and volunteers to increase their understanding of nonprofit organizations and activities
Program is Non-Degree-Granting -- It's Entirely For Your Learning
To grant degrees or certificates, we would need to evaluate or "grade" the results of your studies. To do that, we'd have to pay ourselves or other evaluators. To get those funds for those payments, we'd have to charge fees. Thus, the program no longer would be free.Service organizations that adopt this program to provide it in their locale may choose to include evaluation and certification for learners and, if so, guidelines for these activities are included herein, as well.
If You Are Focusing on For-Profit Organizational Development, Instead of Nonprofit:
See the Free Micro-eMBA(SM).
Table of Contents
Who Can Benefit from Program
Results for Learners and Their Organizations
Nature of Learners Who Will -- And Won't -- Thrive in this Program
Program Design and Format of Learning Modules
Cost of Program and Time to Complete It
Please Tell Others About This Program!
Providing Program Requires Little in Resources and Expertise -- Here's How!
Program Not to Be Used to Generate Profits
About Program Developer
How Do I Get Started?
Catalog of Learning Modules
Links to Each Learning Module
Who Can Benefit From Program
- Highly motivated learners who:
- Have limited time and money
- Prefer to schedule and locate their own learning experiences
- Prefer highly practical results from programs - Nonprofit executives and board members seeking guidance to start a nonprofit or to firm up the foundation of an already established nonprofit
- Nonprofit service providers who wish to offer highly accessible and practical nonprofit organization development programs in their areas
- Nonprofit middle managers or entry-level personnel who desire highly accessible and adaptable means to professional development for advancement in their careers
- Consultants and volunteers who desire understanding of nonprofit organizations, their systems and practices, in order to provide more effective community service
Results for Learners and Their Organizations
Personal and Organizational Outcomes (knowledge, skills and abilities)
- Complete and careful deliberation about whether to start a nonprofit organization
- Guidance to register new nonprofit organization for incorporation, tax-exemption, etc.
- Broad understanding of their nonprofit, including structures, systems, culture and life cycle
- Basic understanding of the role of chief executive officer
- Basic skills needed to recruit the first board members and work with the new board
- Basic skills in management and leadership in order to plan, organize, lead and coordinate activities in their nonprofit
- Basic oversight and governance provided by resourced and trained board of directors
- Basic and integrated planning processes for strategic direction, program development and marketing and evaluation, financial management, fundraising, and staffing and supervision of employees and volunteers
- Substantial cost savings from continued access to free, complete, online materials for personal, professional and organizational development
Program Outputs (tangible results)
Learners in the program produce the following results:- Job description of chief executive officer
- Management and leadership training plans
- Complete resources to equip board members
- Training plan and materials to train the board
- Strategic plan
- Operating and program budgets
- Program design plan
- Program marketing analysis (for each service)
- Public and media relations plan
- Sales plan
- Advertising and promotions plan
- Customer service plan
- Financial report and analysis
- Fundraising plan
- Policies for staffing and supervising employees and volunteers
- Volunteer management plan
- Program evaluation plans, including outcomes-based evaluations
- Assessments of practices in areas of legal, fundraising, financial management, staff and volunteer management, board practices, organizational planning, program planning and program evaluation
Note that the recurring processes that produce the above items are at least as important -- if not more important -- than the items themselves. This program carefully guides the learner through those processes.
Nature of Learners Who Will -- and Won't -- Thrive in this Program
Who Will Thrive
This highly accessible and practical program is particularly useful for highly motivated learners who:1. Trust their own ability to manage and carry out their own learning
2. Understand that in learning, you don't always get what you pay for -- but you get out what you put in
3. Prefer practical results (along with powerful outcomes) from a program, e.g., results such as plans, policies and procedures, job descriptions, financial statements, etc.
4. Who cannot afford to pay the rapidly increasing costs of tuition and materials
5. Who are geographically remote from educational facilities
6. Prefer to schedule and locate their own learning experiences
7. Can see the value of self-directed, “homeschooled” learning with the support of peers in an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality
8. Prefer to share ongoing ideas, materials and support among peers
9. Lastly, learners will thrive in this state-of-the-art program if they have a sense of adventure about new experiences and the patience for learning new ways of doing things
Who Will Not Thrive
Perhaps the best way to convey the nature of people who won't thrive in this program is to point out certain myths that many of us have come to believe over the years. This program will not be appealing to people who tend to believe (consciously or unconsciously) that:1. The prettier the content and materials, the more valid the content and materials
2. The more expensive the program, the more learning that will be accomplished (the fallacy of "executive-level pricing")
3. The more books and binders in the program, the more learning in the program
4. Program certification and diplomas represent guaranteed learning that was accomplished by participants in the program
5. Learning occurs primarily in a classroom
6. Educators can always manage learners' learning better than the learners themselves
Program Design and Format of Learning Modules
Arrangement of Modules -- From Building Basics to Complete Nonprofit Fitness Test
The program includes 12, online learning modules. Modules are "courses" through which learners progress in the program. Materials and activities for learning are tightly integrated with each other across various modules in the program. A listing of the learning modules is included in the section Catalog of Learning Modules provided near the end of this program description. The section Links to Learning Modules directs learners through the learning modules in the order depicted in the catalog. Note that learners can choose to complete modules according to their own needs, as well.
Learners Can Start Anywhere in the Program
The program can be highly useful to learners regardless of the order in which they go through the modules in the program. Learning modules are arranged generally in the order needed to develop an organization from the ground up. Learners who are going through the program primarily as a form of training and development can proceed in a sequential fashion through the Links to Learning Modules, and address the a) topics for discussion and reflection and the b) activities to build systems and practices both of which are posed in each learning module.Note that the activities required to build and manage a healthy nonprofit organization are usually very cyclical in nature -- for example, program planning often produces learning that, in turn, polishes previous strategic planning activities. Therefore, learners are guided to revisit certain portions of various learning modules at various points in the program.
Format of Each Learning Module
Learning modules (other than the first and last) have the following format:- Introduction -- explains how the module fits into the program and the overall process of nonprofit organization development
- Specific Materials for Review -- references specific and free materials needed to respond to all suggested topics for discussion and reflection and to the learning activities to build basic systems and practices
- Specific Topics and Questions for Reflection and Discussion -- highlights key concepts to understand about the overall topic of the learning module
- Specific Activities to Build Systems and Practices -- guides the learner to develop the basic systems and practices to successfully build and manage the nonprofit
- Assessments -- helps the learner measure and / or evaluate extent of application of that topic to the learner's nonprofit
- Tracking Open Action Items -- guides the learner throughout the program to consistently record and track any incomplete action items remaining from the current and previous learning modules
- Reminders to Learners -- poses miscellaneous reminders for learners to ensure they're using information and skills from previous learning modules
Cost of Program and Time to Complete It
Program Costs
The cost of the program depends very much on how the learner chooses to go through the program. If the learner chooses to go through the program on their own (rather than, for example, as part of a group of learners sponsored by a local service provider), the program is entirely free. Otherwise, program costs are determined by the local service provider who sponsors the program.
Time to Complete Program
Learners can go through all of the modules in the program or they can choose their own set of modules and how those modules will be completed. Consequently, the amount of time to complete the program depends very much on how the learner chooses to go through the program. The more time and energy that learners invest in in the program, the more they will learn and accomplish for their organizations and careers.Many of the learning activities in this program are activities that organizational leaders and managers should do in the workplace anyway to develop a healthy organization. Consequently, time in the program to conduct these learning activities should not be viewed only as "time in the program"; rather, this program helps learners turn their organizations and careers into "learning labs" where they get things done -- and learn at the same time.
As a very rough estimate, learners can spend anywhere from 10-40 hours in each module -- again this amount of time depends very much on how thorough learners are in reviewing learning materials and conducting activities to deepen and enrich that learning.
Certain modules include more learning activities than others. Therefore, the program sponsor and learners may choose to dedicate more than one meeting for these modules. For more information, Suggested Number of Meetings Per Learning Module in Here's How to Provide the Program.
Please Tell Others About This Program!
- The vast majority of nonprofit organizations have very limited time and money -- yet the majority of these nonprofits still do not tap the vast reserve of free resources available on the Internet and Web! Please help spread the word!
- Please print out this program flyer and place copies appropriately around your nonprofit community.
- If you know of service providers who will see value in providing this nature of program, please tell them. You might suggest they read the program description at http://www.managementhelp.org/np_progs/org_dev.htm
- If you're a service provider to nonprofits, please consider offering this program as a service in your area.
Thank you!!!
Providing the Program Requires Little in Resources and Expertise!
Providing the program in your area requires little in resources and expertise. See Here's How to Provide the Program.Within certain limits, I can also work with you to customize the program to suit your needs, if needed. For example, you may want to modify certain topics.
Program Not to Be Used Primarily to Generate Profits
This program was developed on a pro bono basis as a service to the nonprofit community. The study materials for the program are contained in the Free Management Library, also developed as a pro bono service. Because of the pro bono nature of the program and its resources, the program should not be used primarily to generate profits. Specifically, any fees to learners to participate in this program should be no more than the very low costs incurred to provide and operate the program.
About Program Developer
Carter McNamara, MBA, PhD, is a Twin Cities-based consultant and co-founder of Authenticity Consulting, LLC, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also founder of the Free Management Library, one of the world's largest collections of free, online materials for the nonprofit and for-profit management community. The Library and this free nonprofit development program are graciously hosted by Authenticity Consulting, LLC.Carter has 20 years of increasing leadership and management experience in a variety of organizations including startup, large for-profit corporation, public-private, nonprofit and large university. His background includes internal and external consulting in various areas of management and organization development.
He received the University of St. Thomas 1996 Community Service Award for volunteering over 200 hours a year over four years to area nonprofits. He holds a B.A. in Social and Behavioral Science, a B. S. in Computer Science, an MBA and a PhD in Human and Organization Development. The focus of his PhD studies was on organization and management development, including self-directed and peer-based forms of collaboration and learning.
How Do I Get Started?
- Begin proceeding through the modules by referencing the Links to Learning Modules included later on below.
Catalog of Learning Modules
Module 1: Program Orientation -- Getting Most from This Program· Guidelines for You to Get Most from Program· Tips to Improve Your Reading and Studying Skills · Extensive Free, Online Resources for You · Designing Your Best Approach to Program Module 2: Starting & Understanding Your Nonprofit(Starting Your Nonprofit)· What Mean by "Nonprofit"? · Are You an Entrepreneur? · Jump Start with Fiscal Sponsorship? · Complete Guidelines to Incorporation and Tax-Exemption (Understanding Your Nonprofit) · Classification of Your Nonprofit · Key Roles in Your Nonprofit · Basic Structures in Your Nonprofit · Life Cycle of Your Nonprofit · Culture of Your Nonprofit · Verifying Your Nonprofit Meets Regulations Module 3: Understanding Role of Chief Executive· What is a Chief Executive Officer?· Role of CEO · Major Functions of CEO · Core Knowledge and Skills for CEO Role · Preparation for Building Board · Preparation for Strong Board-Staff Relationships · Avoiding "Founder's Syndrome" Module 4: Developing Your Basic Management & Leadership Skills· Basic Skills in:· · · Problem Solving and Decision Making · · · Planning · · · Delegation · · · Internal Communications · · · Meeting Management · · · Managing Yourself · Optional -- Advanced Topics in Management and Leadership · Optional -- Designing Your Management and Leadership Development Plans Module 5: Building and Training Your Board of Directors· Understanding Roles and Responsibilities· Building Policies and Committees · Building Committees · Recruiting New Members · Ensuring Strong Participation · Board and CEO Evaluations · Board Calendar and Operations · Organizing Board Manual · Training Board Members · Verifying Health of Your Board Practices Module 6: Developing Your Strategic Plan· Understanding Strategic Planning Process· Writing Your Mission, Vision and Values Statements · Conducting Strategic Analysis · Setting Strategic Direction · Conducting Action Planning · Developing Operating Budget · Writing and Communicating Your Plan ·Monitoring and Evaluating Your Plan · Verifying Health of Your Strategic Planning Practices Module 7: Developing and Marketing Your Programs· Understanding Guidelines for Program Design· Constructing Program Logic Model · Your Program Outcomes, Goals and Strategies · Conducting Market Analysis for Each Program/Service · Developing Your Public and Media Relations Plan · Developing Your Sales Plan · Developing Your Advertising and Promotions Plan · Organizing Your Marketing and Promotions Plan · Verifying Health of Your Program Planning Practices |
Module 8: Managing Your Nonprofit's Finances and Taxes(Financial Management)· Basics of Bookkeeping and Financial Controls · Budgeting and Deviation Analysis · Cash Management · Financial Statements · Financial Analysis · Verifying Health of Your Financial Management Practices (Managing Taxes) · Getting Tax-Exempt Status · Filing Form 990s · Unrelated Business Income · Lobbying and Advocacy · Verifying Health of Your Tax Management Practices Module 9: Developing Your Fundraising Plan· Overview of Fundraising Sources and Approaches to Them· Board’s Role in Fundraising · Writing Your Fundraising Plan · Writing & Submitting Your Proposal · Online Fundraising · Fundraising Software · Hiring a Fundraiser · Verifying Health of Your Fundraising Practices Module 10: Supervising Your Employees and Volunteers(Supervising Staff)· Defining New Job Roles · Recruiting Job Candidates · Screening Applicants · Orienting New Employees · Delegating to Employees · Ensuring Strong Performance · Firing Employees · Personnel Policies and Samples · Verifying Health of Your Supervisory Practices (Supervising Volunteers) · Designing Your Volunteer Program · Deciding Where Volunteers Can Help · Recruiting & Screening Volunteers · Ensuring Strong Performance · Risk and Liabilities · Verifying Health of Your Volunteer Management Practices Module 11: Designing Your Program Evaluation Plans(General Information)· Understanding Program Evaluation, Goals and Types · Overview of Data Collection Methods · Guidelines for Analyzing, Interpreting and Reporting Information · Pitfalls to Avoid · Verifying Health of Your Program Planning and Evaluation Practices (Outcomes-Based Evaluations) · Getting Ready for Your Outcomes Planning · Selecting Your Outcomes and Target Outcomes (including Developing Your Logic Model) · Identifying Indicators for Each of Your Target Outcomes · Deciding What Data You Need and How You Will Collect It · Guidelines for Your Data Analyses · Writing Your Outcomes-Based Evaluation Report Module 12: Conducting Final Fitness Test of Your Nonprofit· Compliance to Laws and Regulations· Board Operations · Supervisory Practices · Strategic, Program and Personnel Planning · Financial Management · Fundraising Practices Optional: Module 13: Practical Guide to Managing Ethics in the Workplace· What is Business Ethics?· Myths About Business Ethics · 10 Benefits of Managing Ethics · Ethics Management System · 8 Guidelines for Managing Ethics · 6 Key Roles and Responsibilities · Ethics Tools: Codes of Ethics · Ethics Tools: Codes of Conduct · Ethics Tools: Policies · Ethics Tools: Resolving Ethical · Dilemmas · Ethics Tools: Training |
Links to Learning Modules
Each of the following modules suggests specific materials for review, specific topics for discussion and reflection, and specific activities to develop basic systems and practices. Various modules also include assessments and guidelines to record and monitor action items from current and previous learning modules.Module 1: Program Orientation -- Getting the Most from This Program
Module 2: Starting and Understanding Your Nonprofit
Module 3: Role of Chief Executive Officer (Executive Director)
Module 4: Developing Basic Skills in Management and Leadership
Module 5: Building and Maintaining Your Board of Directors
Module 6: Developing Your Strategic Plan
Module 7: Designing and Marketing Your Programs
Module 8: Managing Finances and Taxes in Your Nonprofit
Module 9: Developing Your Fundraising Plan
Module 10: Staffing and Supervising Your Employees and Volunteers
Module 11: Designing Your Program Evaluation Plans (including outcomes-based evaluations)
Module 12: Complete Fitness Test of Your Nonprofit
OPTIONAL: Module 13: Managing
Ethics in the Workplace: Practical Guide for Managers
For the Category of Personal Development:
Related Library Topics
Recommended Books
General Information
The following books are recommended because of their highly practical nature and often because they include a wide range of information about this Library topic. To get more information about each book, just hover your cursor over the image of the book. A "bubble" of information will be displayed. You can click on the title of the book in that bubble to get more information, too.
Also See
Career Development -- Recommended Books
Interpersonal Skills -- Recommended Books
Personal Productivity -- Recommended Books
Personal Wellness -- Recommended Books
