Introductions

"A Look at the Other 10 %". Ten percent of what you may ask? The non-profit or third sector to the more clear-cut business and household sectors makes up for 10% of our nation’s economy. Now, ten seems like an insignificant number at first mention compared to the 90% that for-profit businesses offer the U.S. However if we broaden our field of study to the international market, we discover that this 10% creates more profit for the United States than most countries can gain from all of their sectors combined. This statistic from Michael O’Neill’s NonProfit Nation jumped out at me for multiple reasons:

1. Because I often forget how developed the U.S is compared to other nations;

2. Because it demonstrates the significance and breadth of the sector;

—And—

3. Because it measures a not-for-profit sector in financial terms that do not begin to describe its greater social impact.

In this blog for my Intro to Non-Profit Administration class, I will be taking a further look into the important work of the 10% that is all too often undervalued and misrepresented in our society (as well as the many churches, community groups, and small non-profits that it does not include). I will be reacting to readings from O’Neill’s NonProfit Nation among others, posting helpful findings, and hopefully, uncovering the complexities of the third sector so that we call all better understand it’s role in our lives and how we can best use it to initiate change.

Now, that I have introduced my site, I will tell you a little about myself. My name is Sarah Norman and besides being a first-time blogger, I am also a poet, dancer, musician, nature enthusiast, community volunteer, and full-time learner. I find inspiration in the personal stories of the people around me and am continuously amazed at the wisdom I can find outside of the classroom—often from people I would not expect to have such rich past experiences. I love learning about people, which was perhaps the main influence in my declaring a Sociology major when entering the University of Oregon. Now at the end of my Sophomore year, I still have a passion for the more academic disciplines of the social sciences but feel I have found my future in the more practical, skill based arenas the university has to offer. Which brings me to the PPPM department (Planning, Public Policy, Management). It is here that I’m starting to see my desire to bring real social change to people and communities unfold. Though the ins and outs of policy and administration are often unfamiliar to me and take time to wrap my head around, it is a challenge I am more than willing to take on if it means I can eventually better serve others.

It's the second week of my Non Profit Administration class and the professor has already emphasized many times that people go into business with their minds and the non-profit world relying on their hearts. Each time he says it, I come up with more people and organizations where this holds true. I think that the pure benevolence of non-profit workers is inspirational and I see so much potential in each idea. But I have heard too many stories of great non-profit ideas that never get off the ground and human service providers who inadequately serve those they set out to help. The world of social services has good intentions but still many flaws that need people with business and policy sense and fresh ideas to work out (paired with good hearts and an understanding for people of course). Though this work is usually now referred to as the third sector or not-for-profit, we seem to still associate it with its past titles: “voluntary,” “moral, intellectual” or “charities” (O’Neill 8). I think that most Americans (including myself) are unaware of just how many non-profit organizations there are in the U.S, realize their importance, or understand what it takes to run one.

I came across a quote from Alexis de Tocqueville in this week’s reading that changed the way I look at our relationship with non-profits. He said that “The more government takes the place of associations, the more will individuals lose the idea of forming associations and need government to come to their help.” I used to have the sense that non-profits take care of the people and causes that the government has neglected and that governments need to focus more on creating and supporting social welfare programs. As true as this is, Tocqueville reminded me that community organizations that call for volunteers and activism are vital to developing our democracy. Not only that, but religious groups, special interest clubs, and non-profits are the institutions that give people a voice, a supportive family, a creative or emotional outlet, and often a job. Without a sense of purpose and a source of inspiration, I don’t think people would have the motivation or resources to get to where they want to be.

Stick with me as I work to figure out the great world of non-profits. Comments are welcome! And hopefully I will be able to offer an informative and fresh perspective on this important sector J

Till next time,

Sarah