Master of Nonprofit Leadership
Fall Newsletter 2012

Mission 2012

Written by Maureen Emerson Feit, PhD, Acting Director, Nonprofit Leadership

I am honored to serve at Acting Director of the Nonprofit Leadership program for the next two years.  I am excited about this opportunity, and I am grateful to be working closely with Noreen Elbert, who is serving as Acting Assistant Director.

The Nonprofit Leadership program has been a vital part of Seattle University's mission of educating the whole person and empowering leaders for a just and humane world for the past 17 years.  More than 350 students have graduated from the master's program, assuming a wide range of leadership roles in diverse organizations across the region.  As we move forward, we will be building on the vision and work of founder Mary Stuart Hall and former director Michael Bisesi. We will assess how best to prepare students to meet the challenges that nonprofits -- and communities -- face at this time.

In the coming months, we will:

• Consider program revisions that allow incoming students a more flexible mix of core classes and electives, while maintaining the best of the cohort learning experience.
• Bring the latest research on teaching and learning to our classrooms, and work with faculty to deepen dialogue and debate on emerging issues across the curriculum.
• Tap into the strategic thinking of our Advisory Board as we plan for the future.
• Continue to enhance our mentor program and career advising process with the guidance of Master of Nonprofit Leadership Coordinator, Lindsay Ohab.
• Explore opportunities for applied learning with key partners, including the Seattle University Youth Initiative.
• Continue to seek other ways for the Nonprofit Leadership program to carry out and communicate its mission.

We would love to hear your insights and advice as we consider how Seattle University can best contribute to a vibrant philanthropic and nonprofit sector in our region, and beyond. Feel free to contact me at feitm@seattleu.edu.

More to come -- and thank you for all you do to build a more just and humane world.

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2012 Summary Project Awards 

As part of a new initiative, the Master of Nonprofit Leadership program will recognize two students each year for their outstanding summary projects. Two students will be recognized for projects that demonstrate great leadership, offer important perspectives for the nonprofit sector, and provide actionable solutions for an organization in our community.   

The two summary projects selected Spring quarter 2012 were conducted by Angie Buysse and Jessie Irwin-Hooper. Angie's project addressed: FareStart Enterprise Expansion: Investment Strategies to Protect and Grow the Mission.

Jessie’s project addressed: “The Role of Nonprofit Management in Crisis Communications: How can Treehouse prepare for and effectively respond to reputational threats?” Click on the report links to access a detailed description of the projects.

The NPLR 590 Summary Project is the integrative capstone experience of the Master of Nonprofit Leadership program. It provides students an opportunity to synthesize, through application, an array of the leadership and management knowledge and skills acquired in the nonprofit leadership courses. Students complete and publicly present the results of significant independent research and/or  “hands-on” project.

Congratulations to Angie and Jessie for their hard work and valuable contributions to the nonprofit sector!

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A Challenge: Investing in Nonprofit Leadership

Did you know that an anonymous donor recently pledged a $10,000 challenge grant to the Master of Nonprofit Leadership program? This generous donor will double the impact of donations made to the Master of Nonprofit Leadership scholarship fund by December 31, 2012.   

We invite you to double your impact by making a donation to the scholarship fund today. Please consider a gift of $150, or any amount that is personally meaningful to you. Scholarship funds are crucial to our mission, allowing us to extend the reach of the program. Your generosity will ensure that more students are able to access to the program, hone their leadership skills, and provide the kind of catalytic leadership that our organizations, and our communities need. Thank you!

SUPPORT THE MASTER OF NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

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Events 2013

Written by Noreen Elbert, EdD, Acting Assistant Director, Nonprofit Leadership

The Master of Nonprofit Leadership program is thrilled to welcome Chris Lowney, author of the book, Heroic Leadership to Seattle University on February 25th from 6pm to 8pm in the Pigott Auditorium.

Lowney states: “We are all leaders, leading all of the time.”  The book highlights the concept that leadership is not reserved for executive directors and chief executive officers; rather, that leadership is a way of living, rather than an act. 

This concept will be a familiar phrase for anyone who has taken the NPLR 525 Nonprofit Leadership course over the past few years. Lowney is a former Jesuit turned investment banker.
 
Come listen to Lowney share his unique perspective on leadership. Be inspired to think about your own leadership, and the influence you can make in BOLD and subtle ways.

This event is FREE and OPEN to the public.

The 19th Annual Washington State Nonprofit Conference: "Celebrating Innovation and Agililty" will be held May 17th at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, WA.    

The Master of Nonprofit Leadership program will be submitting a proposal for a workshop session.  We are hoping to bring together a panel of leaders who have stories of organization or leadership innovation and/or agility to share.  

If you would like to be part of this panel, please email Noreen Elbert at elbertn@seattleu.edu, with a brief paragraph around this theme. Be sure to highlight what makes your leadership or organization innovative or agile, and how you think your ideas might benefit conference participants.

Seattle University’s Master of Nonprofit Leadership program is a conference sponsor. A percentage of the proceeds go to scholarships. Mark your calendars - we hope to see you there.  
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Research in Philanthropy

Maureen Emerson Feit, Acting Director, Nonprofit Leadership is working with Philanthropy NW this year to research how foundations in our region are increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Reference Study #2 at Three “Insights on Diversity” Projects Commissioned to Advance Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Philanthropy.

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Alumni and Student News

Maureen Brotherton (’96) embarked on her eighth trip to Ethiopia with Rotary, and her daughter Megan. The team is working to eradicate Polio. She also traveled to Northern Uganda to visit women in Aminocira Village, and visited Julius Achon, a two time Olympic runner from Uganda whose mother was killed by the Lord's Resistant Army. Julius recently completed a health clinic in honor of his mother, and living quarters in Awake Village in the North. Maureen will serve as the President of the Seattle Rotary Service Foundation in June 2013.

Teens In Public Service has a new pilot program: Marah Project, in honor of Penny LeGate’s daughter who recently died after struggling with drug addiction and depression.  The program targets Middle College High School students with opportunities to receive paid community service internships.  Middle College High School is newly located on SU Campus, and is part of SU’s Youth Initiative.  Access the project at www.teensinpublicservice.org.

Patricia Witt (’98) presented a workshop with two colleagues at the 2012 “Aging in America” conference on the topic: “Social Service Agencies Partnering with Congregations for Caregiver Health and Wellness.”  The conference was held in Washington, DC  March 28 – April 1.

Susan Clifford Jamroski (’00) received an International Education Administrators (IEA) Program Fulbright to study and observe educational developments and international education in the Federal Republic of Germany. She will be looking at the differences between American and German philanthropic trends in higher education and will be visiting educational institutions in Berlin, Hanover, and Frankfurt this fall.   

Cheryl Sesnon (’02) is the Executive Director of Jubilee Women’s Center and a finalist for Harlequin More Than Words Award, honoring ordinary women making extraordinary contributions to their communities. Award winners receive a $15,000 grant for their organization and a Harlequin novella inspired by their life accomplishments. Winners will be announced in January.

Matthew Lider (’08) is the Western Regional Philanthropy Officer for Ocean Conservancy.  He is the front-line fundraiser for supporters giving $250-$10,000, who live west of the Mississippi. Matthew will build and strengthen relationships with individuals who are passionate about keeping our ocean healthy and wild.

Andrea Steele (’10) is the Assistant Director for Advancement Services at Seattle Pacific University.

Mark Hancock ('12) screened his social justice film,  "Lesson Plan" at the United Nations earlier this summer.

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News from the Advisory Board (previously the Visiting Committee)

Janet Boguch, Principal of Non-Profit Works, and former Master of Nonprofit Leadership faculty member, is now certified through the International Coaching Federation, and a graduate of Hudson Institute of Coaching. Janet continues to assist individuals and organizations to reach their highest potential through TableTalks Seminars for Nonprofit Professionals—a nonprofit management/leadership peer learning group. She reports that several Master of Nonprofit Leadership graduates are enrolled in TableTalks Seminars, and she is proud of these leaders for staying in the field, making a difference, and making their marks. She also assists organizations with capacity building and organization development consulting, as well as provides one-to-one coaching in the areas of leadership/management development and career development for individuals in transition. Visit http://www.janetboguch.com/coaching.html.

Janet was a keynote presenter at the Fifth Annual AFP Major GIfts Symposium and the guest speaker for the King County Library's Philanthropy and Fundraising Center's annual lecture and reception on October 30th. She spoke about "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Fundraisers." Janet has served on the advisory board since the program's inception in 1995.

Nancy Long, Executive Director of 501 Commons, is excited to report that 501 Commons assumed the leadership development programs of the Alliance FOR Nonprofits. In addition, 501 Commons will offer the tech support and technology consulting services of long-time partner, NPower Northwest. This is part of 501 Commons’ comprehensive approach to supporting stronger, more effective nonprofits better able to serve our communities.