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   American Humanics: Nonprofit Professional Studies
   Competencies gained through program coursework and other activities

 

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The core competencies of the American Humanics program are essential tools that qualify students for professional leadership positions in nonprofit organizations. They have been specifically created by the American Humanics partner organizations so that graduates will be prepared in the foundation and professional development competency areas listed below. To gain the competencies students are required to successfully complete 18 credit hours of approved coursework and acquire practical experience through internships and American Humanics Student Association co-curricular activities. The campus director is responsible for certifying that students have acquired all of the AH competencies.

 

AMERICAN HUMANICS
FOUNDATION COMPETENCIES

 

Career Development and Exploration

  • Describe opportunities for careers in nonprofit youth and human services management.
  • Describe the realities of the entry-level employment market including opportunities for growth, the need for relocation, and expected salary ranges.
  • Describe the changing nature of work in the nonprofit sector.
  • Communicate the primary focus of the mission for three or four of American Humanics national nonprofit partners.
  • Identify one’s own personal and professional development needs.

 

Communication Skills

  • Use effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
  • Use proper grammar and vocabulary in written and verbal communication.
  • Demonstrate effective public speaking skills.
  • Use effective listening techniques.
  • Demonstrate the ability to address members of various constituent groups appropriately.
  • Explain the importance of cross-cultural communication skills.
  • Develop positive working relationships with staff and volunteers.
  • Handle constituent requests.
  • Demonstrate the ability to resolve conflicts.
  • Explain the importance of understanding group dynamics.

 

Employability Skills

  • Develop an effective resume.
  • Prepare appropriate job search correspondence.
  • Research an organization to determine compatibility with personal values and goals.
  • Prepare for an interview.
  • Exhibit appropriate personal appearance.
  • Demonstrate effective interviewing skills.
  • Demonstrate appropriate interview follow-up practices.
  • Demonstrate basic computer literacy skills.

 

Personal Attributes

  • Demonstrate a positive attitude.
  • Demonstrate initiative.
  • Demonstrate commitment to the mission of an organization.
  • Exhibit responsible behavior.
  • Discuss the importance of ethical behavior.
  • Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
  • Explain the importance of a commitment to service.
  • Explain the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
  • Explain the importance of accountability in a nonprofit organization.
  • Demonstrate ability to be an effective team member.
  • Demonstrate leadership characteristics.

 

Historical and Philosophical Foundations

  • Describe the role of nonprofit organizations to meet human service needs in American society.
  • Describe the philanthropic structure of nonprofit organizations.
  • Explain the importance of a mission orientation for nonprofit organizations.
  • Discuss the personal rewards of a career in nonprofit youth and human service.

 

Youth and Adult Development

  • Describe the developmental needs of youth.
  • Explain the ways in which nonprofit organizations meet the developmental needs of youth.
  • Describe the developmental needs of adults.
  • Explain the ways in which nonprofit organizations meet the developmental needs of adults.
  • Discuss the adult learning process and how it differs from that of youth.

AMERICAN HUMANICS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPETENCIES

 

Board/Committee Development

  • Explain the purpose and structure of nonprofit boards and their relationship(s) to the organization.
  • Discuss strategies for determining staff support needs for committees and boards.
  • Explain techniques for the recruitment of volunteers to serve on committees.
  • Discuss the importance of providing supervision and support for committee and board members.
  • Discuss strategies for recruiting members to the board of directors.
  • Explain the importance of fostering board/volunteer/staff relationships.
  • Explain the importance of board recognition and evaluation.

 

Fundraising Principles and Practices

  • Discuss the importance of developing fundraising activities that support the mission of the organization.
  • Explain ethical considerations and accountability of funds, which should guide fundraising efforts for the organization.
  • Plan fundraising activities.
  • Conduct fundraising activities.
  • Evaluate fundraising effectiveness.
  • Identify the segments of donors that may support an organization.
  • Discuss factors that may motivate donors and concerns that donors may have.
  • Explain strategies for securing in-kind support.
  • Develop grant proposals.Explain techniques for recognizing donations.

Human Resource Development and Supervision

  • Identify factors that motivate individuals to volunteer their services to a nonprofit organization.
  • Identify sources for staff/volunteer recruitment.
  • Explain strategies for the recruitment of staff and volunteers.
  • Explain strategies for selecting staff and volunteers.
  • Explain strategies for providing an orientation to staff and volunteers.
  • Explain strategies for training staff and volunteers.
  • Exhibit basic knowledge of human resource issues.
  • Exhibit ability to manage diversity.
  • Explain strategies for motivating staff and volunteers.
  • Explain strategies for supervising staff and volunteers.
  • Explain strategies for evaluating staff and volunteers.
  • Explain strategies for recognizing staff and volunteers.
  • Explain strategies for terminating staff and volunteers.
  • Explain the importance of delegation as a technique for the effective utilization of staff and volunteer talents.

 

General Nonprofit Management

  • Demonstrate time-management skills.
  • Utilize effective techniques for problem-solving.
  • Exhibit effective decision-making.
  • Demonstrate effective supervisory skills.
  • Explain the importance of building an organization that acts with the interests of clients in mind.
  • Explain the importance of developing services that effectively respond to diversity in the community.
  • Possess basic knowledge of nonprofit management trends.
  • Explain the importance of collaborating with other nonprofit organizations to meet community needs.
  • Exhibit ethical behavior.
  • Understand the importance of ethical behavior.
  • Understand the importance of the role of advocacy and lobbying in the nonprofit sector.

 

Nonprofit Accounting and Financial Management

  • Describe correct procedures for handling cash.
  • Explain the importance of policies and procedures for requisitioning.
  • Explain procedures for developing a program budget.
  • Explain the importance of reporting mechanisms and requirements.
  • Read and interpret financial statements.

 

Nonprofit Marketing

  • Explain the importance of a marketing philosophy in a nonprofit organization.
  • Explain the nature of public relations activities for nonprofit organizations.
  • Explain the role of community outreach activities.
  • Develop strategies for obtaining client feedback.
  • Discuss strategies for conducting a community needs assessment.
  • Explain the importance of maintaining information systems.

 

Program Planning

  • Describe the process for developing and implementing new programs.
  • Explain the importance of planning programs that are consistent with the mission of a nonprofit organization.
  • Discuss the importance of planning programs that are consistent with community goals and diverse cultural values.
  • Describe the importance of building inclusive programs for diverse individuals.
  • Explain various youth and human service implementation models.
  • Explain strategies for facilitating team building among program staff.
  • Discuss scheduling considerations for both staff and activities.
  • Describe how programs may be promoted by accessing various channels.
  • Discuss criteria for evaluating program outcomes.

 

Risk Management

  • Explain the role and importance of risk management to the overall organizational management plan.
  • Explain the importance of a working knowledge of nonprofit and employment law and regulations.
  • Explain the importance of understanding policy and procedures to follow in the case of crisis incidents.
  • Explain the importance of recognizing red flags and engaging in appropriate follow-up for child protection issues.
  • Explain effective risk and crisis-management procedures.
  • Follow personal precautions in an effort to minimize personal and organizational liability and vulnerability.

For more information, contact Juliana Flinn at jbflinn@ualr.edu.

For 2006-2007 contact Betsy Hart at edhart@ualr.edu.


UALR
American Humanics: Nonprofit Professional Studies  

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Stabler Hall Room 402 A
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204-1099 (501) 569-3173
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