The NLA: The Nonprofit Scholars Program at Eastern Michigan University is part of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, a national association. For more information about the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, please visit: http://www.humanics.org/
The NLA: The Nonprofit Scholars Program program gives students the chance to develop skills in 17 competency areas, skills that are highly valued on the job market.
The NLA: The Nonprofit Scholars Program has a Board of Advisors composed of the nonprofit community leaders whose main role is to mentor students and help the program develop and growth.
~How to receive an Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certificate
~The NLA: The Nonprofit Scholars Program competencies
~NLA: The Nonprofit Scholars Program Advisory Board
How to receive an Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certificate
In order to receive an Nonprofit Leadership Alliance certificate, students must:
• Be undergraduates pursuing a bachelor's degree in any major or minor
• Achieve competency in seventeen specific areas outlined by The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, Inc. (see below for details)
• Complete 300 hours of field-based experiences at local nonprofit agencies
• Be active in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association
• Attend the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Management Institute Conference
Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, Inc. provides a certificate and transcript indicating the student has completed the stated program requirements.
NLA: The Nonprofit Scholars Program Competencies
Students will develop two types of competencies: Professional and Foundational Requirements
1. Career Development and Exploration
- Demonstrate personal commitment to the mission of a nonprofit organization
- Discuss the personal rewards for a career in the nonprofit sector
- Describe opportunities for careers in the nonprofit sector
- Discuss the realities of the entry-level employment market, including opportunities for growth, the need for relocation and the expected salary ranges
- Communicate the primary focus of the mission for three or four of Nonprofit Leadership Alliance' National Nonprofit Partners
2. Communication Skills
- Use effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills
- Use proper grammar and vocabulary in written and oral communication
- Demonstrate effective public speaking skills
- Use effective listening techniques
- Demonstrate the ability to address various members of constituents groups appropriately
3. Employability Skills
- Develop an effective resume
- Prepare appropriate job search correspondence
- Research a nonprofit organization to determine capability with personal values and goals
- Prepare for an interview
- Exhibit appropriate personal appearance
- Demonstrate effective interviewing skills
- Demonstrate appropriate interview follow-up practices
4. Personal Attributes
- Demonstrate a positive attitude
- Demonstrate initiative
- Exhibit ethical and responsible behavior
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity
- Demonstrate the ability to be an effective team member
- Demonstrate leadership characteristics
- Demonstrate time-management skills
Professional Development Requirements
1. Nonprofit Management
- Explain the importance of a mission orientation and mission statement for nonprofit organizations
- Explain the role of nonprofit organizations in advocacy and the public policy process
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of human resource and employment issues
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of strategic planning components
2. Nonprofit Accounting & Financial Management
- Identify and explain the fundamental principles of nonprofit accounting
- Explain components of, and procedures for, developing a budget for a nonprofit agency
- Explain the principles and standards for effective control and monitoring of fiscal operations
- Read and interpret financial statements and audit reports
3. Community Outreach/Marketing and Public Relations
- Explain the role of community outreach and community development activities in building public awareness of the mission and messages of nonprofit organizations
- Demonstrate an understanding of public relations and marketing functions in a nonprofit organization
- Describe the process for creating and implementing an effective marketing plan
4. Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
- Describe the process for developing and implementing new programs, including conducting a needs assessment for the targeted clientele
- Describe the importance of building inclusive programs for diverse individuals and groups
- Discuss scheduling considerations and challenges for activities and staffing
- Discuss how programs may be promoted by accessing various media
- Discuss criteria for evaluating program outcomes
5. Risk Management and Legal Issues
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the basic laws and regulations under which nonprofits operate
- Describe the four basic steps involved in risk management
- Explain effective risk management and crisis management
6. Historical and Philosophical Foundations
- Describe the unique character and structure of nonprofit organizations and role in the civil society
- Identify the various types of nonprofit organizations that compose the sector
- Understand the historical, philosophical, religious, political, economic, and social forces that shaped the development of the nonprofit sector in contemporary American society.
7. Youth and Adult Development
- Describe the development stages and needs of youth and how they differ from those of adults
- Explain the ways in which nonprofit organizations meet the development needs of youth and adults
- Demonstrate ability to plan, organize and conduct activities that encourage and foster mentoring among youth and youth workers
- Explain the importance of recognizing red flags and engaging in appropriate follow-up for child protection issues
- Explain the challenges faced, and special skills required, by youth workers
- Discuss basic research findings in areas of youth development and mentoring
8. Board-Committee Development
- Explain the purpose of a nonprofit board and its role in the nonprofit organization
- Demonstrate and awareness and understanding that board members themselves are volunteers
- Discuss strategies for determining staff support needs for committees and boards
9. Fundraising Principles and Practices
- Discuss the importance of developing fundraising activities that support the mission of the organization
- Discuss the various form and methods of fundraising, including major gifts, planned giving, in-kind support, annual funds, grants and special events
- Explain the variety of techniques and skills used to raise funds from a variety of sources
- Discuss reason why individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies give to nonprofit organizations
- Discuss the aspects of managing the fundraising process
- Demonstrate the ability to write an organizational case statement and grant proposal
10. Volunteer Management
- Discuss the reasons why people do and do not volunteer
- Explain techniques for the recruitment, orientation, training, motivation, supervision, evaluation, recognition and retention of volunteers
- Explain the importance of fostering volunteer/staff relationships
- Describe the components of a volunteer program
- Describe the process used to plan, develop and implement a volunteer program
11. Information Management and Technology
- Demonstrate basic computer literacy skills
- Identify component parts of computer equipment and available technology
- Explain the important role of information technology in the nonprofit sector
- Discuss the social impact and responsibility of technology
- Explain ethical considerations of using technology in the nonprofit sector
- Demonstrate awareness an knowledge of technology resources
12. Ethics and Values
- Explain the importance of having standards and a code of conduct in a nonprofit organization
- Explain the importance of accountability in a nonprofit organization
- Explain the value of a commitment to the service of others
13. Diversity Awareness
- Demonstrate preparedness for professional practice in culturally diverse settings
- Demonstrate interaction skills with diverse populations
- Understand alternative views
- Appreciate similarities and differences
- Mindfully approach and successfully navigate encounters, dilemmas, and challenges with diverse populations
