Creating Faith-Based Organizations

CM 662

CREATING FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS

CM662: (SemPM) Syllabus (REVISED COURSE 2010)

Bethel Seminary

Patricia Sampson, D. Min

Fall Term 2010 SemPM

September 27, 2010 – December 10, 2010

Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 pm

Room: B200

OFFICE HOURS:

Available: By Appointment

Email:

Phone: 763-553-9641

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:

The aim of this course is to familiarize participants with the nonprofit world and increase their ability to organize and develop a faith-based organization (FBO). FBOs are distinctive in character from other nonprofit organizations. Participants explore the distinctive nature of FBOs in order to understand how to apply best practices for Christian ministry. Relevant issues on incorporation and tax-exempt status processes under the Internal Revenue Code are discussed. Participants learn what it takes to sustain effective on-going operations through board development, planning, fund raising, and sustainability strategies.

LEARNER OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

Articulate the significance of the role and constraints of faith-based nonprofit organizations.

Provide leadership for the development of a functional board of directors for faith-based organizations.
Identify the essential components of faith-based nonprofit organizations for basic functioning and mission achievement.
Provide leadership in the organization and the development of faith-based nonprofit organizations.

REQUIRED READINGS

Board Source, (2007). The Nonprofit Board Answer Book: A Practical Guide for Board Members and Chief Executives. Second Edition. Jossey Bass: San Francisco.

Garland, Diana. (2004). Belief Systems in Faith-based Human Service Programs http://www.urbanministry.org/wiki/belief-systems-faith-based-human-service-programs

Hopkins, Bruce R., (2009). Starting and Managing a Nonprofit Organization: a Legal Guide. Fifth Edition. John Wiley and Sons: NY.

Minnesota Council on Nonprofits (2009). Handbook for Starting a Successful

Nonprofit. http://www.mncn.org/handbook_for_starting.htm

Yancey, Gaynor. (2003). Identifying Effective Practices in Urban Faith-Based Social Service Programs: The Challenges of Designing and Conducting Research

http://www.religionandsocialpolicy.org/docs/events/2003_spring_research_conference/yancy.pdf · Cached page. (available on Moodle)

Optional Internet Source

Esbeck, C. H., (2000). Charitable Choice: Isn't Charitable Choice Government-funded Discrimination? http://www.cpjustice.org/stories/storyreader$375

Other Optional Readings

Attorney, A. M., (2009) How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation. 9th Edition. NOLO: Berkeley, CA.

Barna, George, (2001). The Power of Team Leadership: Achieving Success through Shared Responsibility. WaterBrook Press: Colorado Springs.

Brinckerhoff, P. C., (1999). Faith-based Management: Leading Organizations that are Based on More Than Just Mission. Mission-Based Management Series. Wiley: New York.

Duca, D., (1996). Nonprofit Boards: Roles, Responsibilities and Performance. John Wiley: New York; NY.

Greenfield, J. M., (1994). Fund-Raising Fundamentals: A Guide to Annual Giving for Professionals and Volunteers. Wiley: New York.

Holland, T. P., Hester, D. C., (editors) (2000). Building Effective Boards for Religious Organizations: A Handbook for Trustees and Church Leaders. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco.

Olsen, C. (2000) Transforming Church Boards into Communities of Spiritual Leaders. An Alban Institute Publication.

Queen, E. L. Editor. (2000). Serving Those in Need: A Handbook for Managing Faith-Based Human Service Organizations. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco.

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS

Week # / Date / Topic / Readings / Assignments
1 / 9.27 / Course Introduction
Nonprofit organizations and distinctions of faith-based ones / Nonprofit Answer Book (NPA): xiii-xviii; 10-20,
279-282.
Hopkins (H): vii-xii; 3-12; 35-49.
Minnesota Council on NonProfits (MCN): 1-11; Instructions for Form 1023: Overview of Section
501(c)(3) Organizations, 1-6, read up to ‘Specific
Instructions’; Part II; Part III, 6-8.
Article: Charitable Choice Argument. (Moodle)
Biblical Passage Reflection: Nehemiah 1-2
2 / 10.4 / Getting Started:
Called to the Work? / NPA: 3-9, 25-27;40-42;47-83, 87-130
H: 97-113
Article: Garland, Diana. (2004). Belief Systems in
Faith-based Human Service Programs (Moodle)
Biblical Passage Reflection: Exodus 18 / Form Challenge Teams
Identify a need or
problem to address
through a FBO.
3 / 10.11 / Nonprofit Essentials:
Board of Directors Responsibilities and Structure / NPA: 141-145; 154-156; 161-163; 167-169; 198-202
H: 276-277
MCN: 17-20, Instruction for Form 1023:
Review Appendix A: Conflict of Interest, 25-26 and
Glossary of Terms, 30-36
Biblical Passage Reflection: 1 Kings 4 / 1st Challenge within teams:
Why is a nonprofit
organization the best
way to address your
identified need or
problem?
4 / 10.18 / Board of Directors Responsibilities / H: 260-266, 284
MCN: Sample Documents, 36-47
5 / 10.25 / Governance Requirements and Issues / NPA: 21-24; 28-31; 175-197; 209-217
H: 101-102; 104; 108-111; skim 115-124;
135-172; 237-244
MCN: 21-23; 26-28; skim Appendix, 56-57 and
various reporting forms;
Instructions for Form 1023: Part V, 8-9; Part IX: 12-
14
Biblical Passage Reflection: Ezra 7 and 8 / Board Organizational Justification Paper Due
(5 to 10 pages)
11.1 / No class
6 / 11.8 / Board’s Role in Financial Planning / NPA: 16-19
H: 14-16
MCN: 13;
Instructions for Form 1023: Part IV, VI, VII and VIII: 8-12; Part X and XI: 14-16.
Article: Gaynor Yancey: (2003) Identifying Effective Practices in Urban Faith-Based Social Service Programs: The Challenges of Designing and Conducting Research. (Moodle)
Biblical Passage Reflection: Mark 12:13-17 / 2nd Challenge within teams:
Describe and defend the
top thee fundraising
strategies for
supporting your FBO.
7 / 11.15 / Supporting Vision through Services and Programs / NPA: 231-260.
H: 104-105; 278-279.
MCN: 34
Instructions for Form 1023: Part V.
8 / 11.22 / Board’s Relationship with Staff / H: 67-81; 125-134
MCN: 14-16 / Case Paper for Support Due
(5 to 10 pages)
9 / 11.29 / Filing Requirements and Tax Exemptions / NPA: 277-314,
H: 177-180
Biblical Passage Reflection: Luke 14: 24-35.
10 / 12.6 / Organizational Sustainability and Review
12.10 / Mock Documentation paper due

Class Participation/Attendance

Students are required to participate in class as much as possible to facilitate a consistent learning environment. There will be in-class exercises as well as reading assignments to assist students with developing skills and in the completion of their major course paper. Thus, it is important that readings be done before class. Handouts and instructions for the course assignments will be provided throughout the term at the appropriate time.

Course Grading:

In this course there will be several assignments that will contribute to a final grade. The categories for these assignments, and class participation and their percentage points are as follows:

Organizational Profile with Justifications 30%

Case Paper for Support 30%

Mock Documentation Paper 30%

Team Challenge Participation 8%

Online Course Assessment 2%

Grading Scale

Grade / Score / Grade / Score
A / 95-100 / C / 75-77
A- / 92-94 / C- / 72-74
B+ / 88-91 / D+ / 68-71
B / 85-87 / D / 65-67
B- / 82-84 / D- / 62-64
C+ / 78-81 / F / Below 62

Note: A final grade of “B” (85-87) is reflective of an average demonstrated quality level of graduate studies. A final grade of “C” (75-77) is reflective of a below average demonstrated quality level for graduate studies.

Online Course Assessment:

As stated in the Academic Course Policies, your completion of the course evaluation electronically at the end of the course “will be included as a factor in your final course grade.” See “Course Grading” above for how this will be calculated.

An email with a link to the survey will be delivered to you on December 7 through your Bethel email account. Please take a few minutes to go into the survey and complete it. The survey will only be active from December 7-19. For more information on the course evaluation process, please go to https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index. Be assured that the evaluations are gathered anonymously; your honest feedback is greatly appreciated.

Academic Course Policies (Please see catalog for full range of requirements; revised 4/13/2010):

1. Academic Integrity (88-9): “Written material submitted must be the original work of the student. Academic dishonesty constitutes a serious violation of scholarship standards at Bethel and can result in denial of credit and possible dismissal from the school. Any act that involves misrepresentation regarding the student’s academic work is forbidden. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on assignments or exams, plagiarism, fabrication of research, multiple submissions of work in different courses, misrepresentation of academic records, the facilitation of academic dishonesty, and depriving others of necessary academic resources.”

2. Course Papers (90):

· “All assigned course and term papers in all degree programs (with the exception of those in Marriage and Family Studies) are to be submitted in thesis form in conformity with the most recent edition of Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers…Students submitting papers in the Marriage and Family Studies and Marital and Family Therapy programs should follow the requirements of the most recent edition of The Publication Manual of the America Psychological Association.”

· “In addition, students are expected to use inclusive language.”

3. Grades (91): “Grades will be assigned using the full range of letter grades (A-F), representing the following levels of performance:

A Excellent work submitted; evidence of outstanding ability to synthesize and use course knowledge; consistent evidence of creativity and originality; insightful contributions in class; consistent demonstration of integrative and critical thinking skills; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.

B Good work submitted; evidence of substantial ability to analyze and use course knowledge; evidence of creativity and originality; thoughtful contributions in class; demonstration of integrative and critical thinking skills; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.

C Acceptable work submitted; evidence of adequate ability to analyze and use course knowledge; appropriate contributions in class; attempts at integration and critique; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.

D Poor work submitted; little evidence of ability to analyze and use course knowledge; inconsistent evidence of mastery of course content; few contributions in class; no attempts at integration and critique; inconsistent class attendance; and respectful interaction.

F Inadequate work submitted; insufficient evidence of ability to analyze and use course knowledge; inappropriate and/or disrespectful contributions in class; poor class attendance; or failure to complete course requirements.”

4. Incomplete Course Work (92): “Students are expected to submit all work by the dates set by the course instructors and complete all course requirements on or before the last day of the quarter. The grade ‘Incomplete’ is temporary and will be granted only in unusual circumstances (such as serious illness or critical emergencies) and will not be considered for a student who is simply behind in the assignments.”

5. Harassment Policies (93): “Bethel Seminary is committed to providing a Christ-centered community where students, faculty, and staff can work together in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation, including racial and sexual harassment. All members of the Bethel community are expected to educate themselves about sexual and racial harassment.”

6. Course Evaluations: “Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. Student feedback is used by professors to modify courses and teaching approaches and is included in decisions on promotion and tenure for professors. In order to recognize the value of your input and to encourage you to provide that input, your completion ofthe course assessment electronically at the end of the course will be included as a factor in your final course grade. See your course syllabus for how this will be calculated.” Full-time residential faculty’s core courses are evaluated every-other term. For a listing of courses evaluated for the current term, please go to: https://bethelnet.bethel.edu/ureg/bssp/eval_index

7. Accessibility: Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if disability-related accommodations are needed. Accommodations for students with documented disabilities are set up through the office of Disability Services. Contact Kathy McGillivray, director of Disability Services, at (651) 635-8759.

8. Drops/Withdrawals: If you are dropping or withdrawing from a course, it is important to establish your last day of attendance. Please notify the registrar’s office and contact your instructor of your intent to drop or withdraw from a course. Students carrying financial aid, please contact the financial aid office prior to dropping or withdrawing from the course in order to be informed of the consequences of this action on financial aid. If you are in a course that uses distance education delivery (e.g. Blackboard), be sure to sign on to your Blackboard course prior to withdrawing in order to establish the last day of attendance in your course.

Grading Criteria / Main Knowledge Sources / Weight
Challenges within Teams / Demonstrates and articulates knowledge of challenge topics and ability to defend positions taken. / · Readings and lectures
· External research / 8
Board Organizational Justification Paper
5-10 pages / Articulates with clear understanding the board organization including roles, functions, duties, and governance. Provide rationale for structure and its advantages and limitations. Demonstrates an understanding of the issues and challenges facing the board and executive leadership. / · Readings and lectures
· External research / 30
Case Paper for Support
5-10 pages / Demonstrate the ability to develop a mission statement, articulate the organization’s purpose in accordance with the requirements for incorporation and achievement of Tax Exempt status, communicates a clear understanding of the problem or issues it seeks to address as a nonprofit corporation. Articulate a compelling case for funding support including assurances around issues of management, governance, services/programs, accountability and financial planning. / · Readings and lectures
· External research / 30
Mock Documentation:
A Religious Charitable
501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization / Prepare documents that clearly demonstrate the ability to prepare articles of incorporation, write the bylaws of your nonprofit, fill in a complete IRS tax-exemption application, write minutes of the organizational meeting, and understand specific nonprofit requirements relevant to the organization under development. / · Readings and lectures
· External research / 30
Online Course Assessment / 2