Peer Discussions

Respond to two students discussion post. Just type the paragraph under the discussion. It doesn’t have to be in essay form.

Also, make sure that your response(s) are substantial and at least 250 words.  In your responses, you must include connections to course learning objectives. 

Discussion Post #1

Sakyla Arnold

If we consider the overall purpose and vision of most non-profit organizations, we see that the very existence of most organizations are to supplement profit and public sectors. The innovation that exist within non-profit organizations stems more from a place of necessity as citizens and individuals are desperate for an alternative option outside of the normative support that we’re used to. I consider charter schools, for example. While traditional public schools have the ability to and have been educating scholars for decades, the need and desire from stakeholders for something a little more intimate is what pushes them to go to charter schools. The charter school model is similar to the nonprofit organizational model as it is funded through grants, boards and supporters who are looked at as partner. There is great autonomy that exist within the world of charter schools and it truly speaks to the equity that is available to families. I believe nonprofit organizations are no different. Stakeholders want resources and support that don’t exist in the traditional model of public agencies and organization. It is the autonomy of nonprofit organizations that allows them to meet the needs of stakeholders. If nonprofit organizations don’t engage in social justices, they are doing a dis-service to the very individuals that they serve and the board of governors who support them financially. The mission statement of these organizations target a particular need within the community. This need is centered around the concept of equity in some shape or fashion. Nonprofit organizations should be the champions for social justices as they have the influence and network to truly amplify the voice of stakeholders. While you would think that public agencies would be able to be that same champion, this is simply not the case. There are many factors that keep these agencies from serving the appropriate capacity that stakeholders deserve, but the biggest components that hinder them are the politics that exist within. Nonprofit organizations have the ability to voice a concern around social injustices and not worry about the backlash that they could get. The board and partners of these organizations already support them, speaking out on social justice issues could do nothing more but gain more supporters or engagement with the community. I think this is one of the main functionalities of nonprofit organizations. These organizations have to rely on the engagement of citizens and stakeholders in order to remain relevant. They need engagement to be at a certain level so they can go back and show their sponsors and supports the groups of people they are able to engage with. Affiliation is everything and I believe that silence is speaking louder than words in showing true affiliation. If we look at social injustices throughout our country, it is frowned upon for organizations to not support the social justice movement or at least acknowledge it. There were many organizations who renounced partnerships and spoke out to support and raise awareness for Black Lives Matter movement. It was the organizations that said nothing and didn’t draw their line in the sand that are losing engagement and supporters.

Discussion Post #2

By Calandar

When it comes to a Social Justice Approach during the past and present issues with nonprofit organizations yes, I think there are significance and a need for nonprofits to engage in social justice. It is significant for its mission which is to serve people that are in need and are introduced to a life-changing crisis. Nonprofits have changed over the years and have struggled with keeping their mission a flow. To keep going they have had to become more commercialized and adopt ways of the market culture. (Lee, 2011, p. 23) It has also had to become more performance-driven competitive as their environment has changed and governmental changes. History indicates that social justice was mainly directed towards the poor as there were two types of voluntary organizations. This involves the member sector and the public sector. The member sector involved serving organizations settle in America such as the Scots Charitable organization. The public organizations helped create churches, schools, and so forth. Later in the years, congress ordered a tax exemption society for those charitable organizations. Many programs started to help families and children survive. Programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid were all programs that were introduced to society as aids to help families. (Lee, 2011) Non-Profit organizations have grown over the years, they are also helpful to people when there are challenges to navigate through government agencies. It is said by political scientists that nonprofits exist to address the needs of minorities and accommodate those diverse situations. Religious congregations are now said to be nonprofit organizations if they are bringing in less than 5K annually, they are exempt from registering with the IRS. Nonprofits are classified to have four types of categories. The first one is social welfare, the second is private which provides funding to conduct research, the third category is charities and the fourth represents all other nonprofits such as fraternities and labor unions. These are all important as it comes to social justice. The need for social justice is vital as it helps lift the burdens of cooperation and enables people to receive the necessary benefits. One social justice that comes to mind is the Obama Health Care Act. I think this is very important and came in time for the people. I heard medical administration talk down about people with no health care and still needing assistance. It was an unfortunate situation to see someone need health care but unable to receive the best because their income was so little they could not afford health care benefits. I believe this was the best act of kindness on his part that could have been established. This act almost reminded me of the NCLB, no child left behind act for all student established by George Bush. In this case, it was no American would be left without health care benefits. Because of the health care plan it built stronger and better communities. I believe it was an advancement and a step in the right direction when it came to public health care.