For our assignment next Thursday, we were encouraged to ask a student, who took this class previously, to share his or her experience on making the final decision. I decided to get started by asking my friend who recommended me to take the course.
Like Professor Campbell told us previously, the structure of their class was slightly different from ours. Instead of focusing on one issue, her class gave many types of organizations the opportunity to apply for a grant regardless of their issue area and those who applied were then placed into an issue specific group. From there, the students had to decide which organization from the issue specific groups which were most suited to receive the grants. Towards the end of her course, her class was faced with the challenge of compromising and finalizing their decision. Due to the class’s natural distinction in opinions, they focused on various issue areas. For example they had Kopernik laboratory for their Arts & Science issue, Rescue Mission for the homeless issue and Mom’s House for the education issue.
However, their decision process was slightly overwhelming. Students talked over each other, trying to persuade the other students which organization was more impactful or sustainable. They initially established sustainability as their main criteria for an organization, but later as the process continued, some students would argue on behalf of the organization. This can be very difficult for a class to make a decision if no one is willing to compromise to hear another student’s opinion. While it was a long process, the students found they were all very passionate about the issues at hand and the discussion was important in creating a consensus. I am looking forward to our final decision making process because our past seminars are slowly leading up to this finale. However, I hope this won't turn into a "blood bath" of any kind and everyone can respect each other’s opinion. While my friend was happy about the final outcome of the class, it was difficult for her to not feel biased to her organization and this was a feeling that many in the class felt. It always goes back to how what you value matches what your goals are. There are times where you feel passionately about one topic, but it may not be inline with your goal to make the most sustainable impact. But that is all part of the learning aspect of philanthropy and understanding what it really is and how each individual defines it. By recognizing what motivates a student to give will help us understanding each other’s opinions. If a student is guided by his goal to do the most good he can, then maybe helping the Catholic Charities program might not be the best idea since, there will still be many youth on the wait- list.
On another note, after listening to the four groups who presented, it was really surprising to hear each team’s opinion. After each site visit and even while my team was working on our presentation, we discussed our top ranking organizations and many people liked the YMCA but the group that was doing the YMCA did not seem to really support the program as much as the organization. So even though we all presented on an organization twice, which made us feel invested and connected with the organization, we weren’t too bias and were able to look at the proposal and site visit critically to see if they were the target organization we want to help as a class .
Some questions to consider:
1. Did any presentations changed your mind on an organization?
2. What do you think is our class’s main factors in deciding an organization - (for example, passion of the leaders, sustainability, potential for growth)
3. What do you think will happen with our decision making process? Will there be a blood-bath?
What an insightful post, I had no idea that the other classes were constructed in a manner that was different from ours. I think that the class structure now makes it much easier for the class to avoid a bloodbath just because we are all focused on one issue area. I can see how a bloodbath could occur when the class is focused on various complex issue areas because sometimes the students will end up supporting and defending an organization just because it addresses one issue area, not because the organization might actually be good at its job. I think that our class structure right now is definitely more productive for students to make a final decision. As for the bloodbath at the end of the semester, I do not think that we will have a full blown out battle. Rather, I think that students in our class are pretty level headed and unbiased through the presentations that I heard in our class. I think that we have a good grasp of the issues that each organization is attempting to address through a variety of programs and we can really distinguish the strengths and setbacks of each organization's approach.
ReplyDeleteI think that the class' main factors in deciding on an organization would be the passion of the leaders, sustainability, success rate, and the number of students this program/organization would affect. From our Skype talk last week, I learned that an organization's transformation is super important. What I mean by transformational is that it should not only implement positive change in the children's lives, but the money should also help transform the organization as a whole. Prior to our Skype chat, I never thought of this idea before but it makes total sense. The donation that we may provide to the respective organization should ultimately change the organization as a whole for the better and it would be even better if the organization would be able to sustain these changes for the years to come - although I understand that this may not always be the case. Ultimately, I am really looking forward to hearing everyone's opinion on who they think the money deserves to go to!
Great post Jessie! I was aware that the class was structured differently than years past, and I believe that the way it is organized this semester makes for a much more tame decision (but tame doesn't mean easy, I just think it will be less of a "blood bath"). This is because there aren't as many factors going into our decision- our core values were used as a baseline to decide on an issue area. In years past there were many issue areas, so not only were students deciding on how effective an organization was, but also how much of a necessity it was to address certain issues in the Binghamton community. This semester, now that we have an "even playing field" between each of the organizations, it is our job to decide which one of our organization best addresses our specific issue area. That being said, I believe the best organization we can give to must not only just excel its program but also profoundly impact the community with our grant. I think we spend a lot of time thinking about what would happen to an organization if they did/did not receive the grant, but really we should be thinking about what would happen to the community. A presentation and site visit that changed my mind was the DAASP program at Lourde's. I thought that it would be a bad idea to fund a brand new program, but if I learned anything from the site visit, presentation, and also from Anita- it might be a good idea to take a calculated risk. There is no program of any similar caliber in Broome County so if Lourde's received our grant we would be changing the community for the better. Even though there are no statistics on the program, and many people would question the longevity of the program, us funding the program would be sort of a trial so to speak. The program has so much potential and with our help, Lourde’s can get the evidence that this program can make a difference in Broome County. This is exactly the lift-off they need to prove that this program can work and get funders for years to come. We have a really tough job for the rest of the semester, and I'm excited to finally come to a decision soon!
ReplyDeleteAm I glad to have read this post because I have been thinking about how well class will go when we make the final decision. It is going to be a tough day and a lasting decision. However, not everyone will be happy with the results. So, if you are one of the people that does not get the choice you were hoping for just know that no matter what it is still going to a great cause. I believe we can be civil in class this week and really come to a conclusion that works.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your questions, the presentations did not change my mind because I am a stubborn man and will not be swayed by others. I was at the site visits and saw and heard it all. I went through the facts already and my decision is not final, but the presentations were more of recaps than actual sales pitches. I feel that the most important aspect to judge is the results that each organization has produced or what I think they will produce. Also how far will our donation go in the larger scheme is an important variable. Such as if the program grant went to Children's Home its almost like we are going to finance one kid to live in an apartment for a couple months. I hope that there is no bloodbath in our discussion and that we can all look back at this course and see that it has taught us many valuable lessons.
Hi Jessie,
ReplyDeleteI really like that you chose to write about what a previous class' student said to you. It seems crazy to me that her class got so aggressive with each other and so involved. I don't foresee that happening with out class, but I suppose we won't know until the day arrives. Maybe we are less inclined to get angry because we already clearly outlined a focus area and all of our organizations truly do a great job impacting the area. There can be no truly terrible choice, only good choices.
To answer your questions....
The presentation on the YMCA definitely moved me more against the organization. I have to believe that the group assigned to an organization knows it best. Which means that the people in our class who know the YMCA best don't fully support giving to it. I would also be lying if I didn't admit that the professionalism with which the Catholic Charities group has presented their case hasn't moved me more in favor of the organization (though, it still ranks low on my list for other reasons).
Answering your second question kind of foreshadows my presentation for tomorrow, but, one criteria I feel is especially critical is financial stability of the organization and its specific program. To elaborate, I'm looking for an organization that has a great track record, is financially stable with multiple sources of funding, and can withstand losing one of its sources of funding. However, within that organization, I'm looking to fund a program that either is struggling but has a great goal or doesn't exist yet but could be great. This way, I know my money is making a radical difference, but that it is also in good hands.
I have touched on your third question already, but no, I don't believe there will be a blood bath in our class. So many of our options are great. I do predict some passionate discussions. I can imagine people being very passionate about all organizations except for catholic charities. I personally would not object to the money going to any organization over another, though I have my preferences.
Hey Jessie, cool post. I really hope our class doesn't devolve into a blood bath (although that could be interesting). I think that there are some rules we need to follow in order to avoid a heated argument.
ReplyDeleteI had the privilege of speaking to class alumni Ryan O'Rourke. His class participated in a blood bath, but he gave me some tips on how to avoid one. For starters we should come to the table with facts rather than feelings. Although we can become emotionally attached to a particular charity, it is best to leave this emotion out of our minds as it may cloud our judgement. Facts are more likely to serve better in backing up your arguments and persuading others.
Another way to avoid a blood bath is to make positive arguments for your organization rather than negative arguments against other organizations. It is usually preferable to point out the good rather than the bad in most situations. If we start attacking an organization, then the people who support that organization are likely to become defensive. Once they are defensive, they are more prone to attack and genuine conversation will fade away. That being said, I think that some negative arguments are bound to happen. We have a long time (although it may not seem like it) to discuss our decision. It is possible, if not likely, that we will all finish the arguments for our organizations and be left only with arguments against other organizations.
With that in mind, I doubt our class will have a blood bath. I think that we are all respectful and polite individuals, that is not a dig at past classes who have argued heatedly. It is my belief that we can agree on an organization and a program using civil debate and discussion.
Although students gave presentations regarding their organization, I do not feel as if any of them changed my mind. What really made me rethink my choices were the conversations I had with a previous student of the class and also talking with Anita. This is because they have more experience with selecting organizations than the class so I feel as if they sway my opinion more.
ReplyDeleteAs a class, it seems to me that the passion of the organizations’ leaders means the most to students. However, I do not think that the passion of the heads of the nonprofits should be the deciding factor of where we should donate. All of the organizations are great and I think personally think that an organization that does great work with a not so passionate leader should be penalized. I believe the most important factor is the organizations results. For example, Catholic Charities has a long waitlist to utilize the program that they requested funding for. To me, this is not somewhere where I would want to donate my money because they want to expand services to more schools but they cannot support the ones that they are at now.
I don’t think there will be a bloodbath as in other classes because they faced a more difficult decision. Because we are focused on an issue area, I think that there will be competition to get support for all of our favorite organizations however, not as nearly as extreme as past classes.
Nice post Jessie, I think that the "bloodbath" is a seriously legitimate concern for our final decision and it really stems from the sense of attachment we all feel to some key issue area or concern. It's perfectly natural too. I think that compromise is one of the hardest issues donors and humanity faces, because everyone takes their own perspective as reality. This is where emotion can be detrimental at times, because it can cloud our ability to see the reality of the situation and to understand someone else's ideas. In an article regarding donor selection, studies found that donors were more likely to donate in heart rather than in head (1). In decision-making, emotion and passion are certainly important, but we cannot let it take hold of the discussion. We need to stick to the hard evidence and use emotion as a supplement.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to your questions, I think that the presentations helped change my mind, because it outlined the very core ideas and benefits and detractions that each organization has. It gave me a great in-depth yet broad look at the organization, and that was helpful, because as a donor you tend to focus on little details, and forget the bigger picture. My favorite presentation still remains the one done by Tim's group on the criteria for selection. It made me reevaluate what was important to me as a donor, and critically think and analyze each and every organization and how it fulfills MY particular criteria too.
The "bloodbath" then comes from how we each have particular and unique criteria that we'd like to see fulfilled. As we duke it out in the process on Thursday, we will try to superimpose those criteria on others as a class. I think in order to avoid a "bloodbath" we need to remain open-minded to the criteria of others, and attempt to empathize with their perspective. What's important too, is that we come to a fruitful conversation that specifically selects the most important criteria for US as a class. The discussion is not just a battle to see who gets the money, but its also a battle of ideals too. What we hold important to us, we will defend vehemently, so taking a step back, and trying to fit your criteria in the broader scheme of things, will be the one most important factors that will lead to a non-regretful decision.
I think that our class, however, is particularly mature though. Professor Campbell commented that after the first week or so, and I agreed. The blog posts were always insightful and open-minded. We as a class are already great at seeing different perspectives; now we just need to carry that into our decision-making process. We need to remain like a fluid, able to stay malleable to the perspectives of others. I am confident that if we retain that property, it will result in a fruitful outcome.
(1) http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/to-increase-charitable-donations-appeal-to-the-heart-not-the-head/
I am also excited to see how today's selection goes for our class! I agree it might be hard for people to make unbiased opinions, and I think it's important that everyone try to keep an open mind towards other people's viewpoints. I like that our class chose to focus on one issue area as opposed to different issue areas, because every group will help to make a difference in Broome County's youth and education services.
ReplyDeleteNone of the group presentations swayed me one way or the other but the presentation about the criteria we should consider made me think about the organization's and the program's impacts in Broome County. The presentation helped to me to realize what should be important when making our decision. No matter what organization we support I will be proud to be part of a class that is making a visible difference in Broome County.