Thursday, December 13, 2012

5th Comment: Nonprofits Help Rehabitate the Battered

A nonprofit not only feeds the hungry, and gives charity, it becomes a safe heaven for battered or injured subjects. Dog, whale, woman, man, or child - nonprofits service everybody.
What can evolution tell us about domestic violence? Two researchers in the US suggest such violence has ancient origins and that establishing evolution's role could help to better identify those at risk. Others argue that the research makes simplistic assumptions, and warn that some people will interpret the research as an excuse for violence.

Each year more than 500,000 women in the US alone report to the police violent attacks by current or former male partners. There is a reason why domestic violence is so widespread, says David Buss, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Texas in Austin: it carries a selective advantage, tied with reproductive success. In other words, men who are violent are trying to make sure that their partner has his child and not another man's.

4th Comment: Nonprofit's Save Lives

Doing It For The California Kid In You- I am glad that the citizens develop helpful programs to contribute goods and services to those in need. Such as Toys for Tots, AAA, Make A Wish Foundation, NAACP, homeless shelters, and many other funded programs. If it were not fot non government agencies, children would go without on Christmas, women would suffer from domestic abuse, the Civil Rights Movement might not have existed, and for other's life  would have been a bit more of a never ending reality show. Thank you nonprofits!!

1st Comment: Data In the Nonprofit Sector

Data is surely one of the most important factors when starting a nonprofit.
Data collection is not a new idea in the nonprofit sector, but it has mostly been touted as a means of
supporting financial accountability and transparency in the past. A recent survey of about 400 nonprofits by the Nonprofit Technology Network found that while 89% of the nonprofits surveyed tracked data about their finances, only 50% consistently tracked data on how their work affected the people it was designed to help. But as in every aspect of life, from the electing of presidents to the raising of children, experts say data is starting to trump intuition when it comes to funding choices.

2nd Comment: Daily Commons: History of Non Profit

Historical Theory - Communities in America were formed well before formal government. Citizens were forced to come together to address issues within their communities and work together to form a solution.

Without nonprofit organizations there would be a lot of slack that the United States government would have to pick up. American's would not be happy about this at all. I think that gratitude should be shown. America needs a holiday to celebrate nonprofit organizations. And there should be an award ceremony held for the non government agencies who help the most citizens and meet their goals.

3rd Comment: Non Profit's From a Political View

Political Science Theory - Nonprofit organizations provide an avenue for civic participation. People are able to assemble and work toward a common goal with an intent to benefit the public. Nonprofit organizations provide an outlet for pluralism and solidarity.







Beneficial Factors:

+Nonprofit also provides a voice to the public need.

+Nonprofits open doors for new government programs.

+Sometimes government financially participates in nonprofit programs.

The Story of the Trillion Dollar Debt

 Debt
                             Introduction: The United States Debt is a significant problem.
Research claims that the United States has always had a significant outstanding debt.  The United States Budget is over spent every fiscal year.   Because the budget is over spent, the government borrows money to pay for administration fees such as health care, social security, and military expenditures. When the government borrows money, it owes money. Owing too much money could potentially ruin the government’s credit with creditors.






 
I.                Origin
Research shows that United States debt originated from wars. The Revolutionary war began the United States debt in 1790. By 1919, World War I had increased the national debt to $27 billion. World War I increased the national debt to $6 billion. When the Great Depression began, unemployment rose. After World War II, the national debt rose to $258 billion. And ever since the Revolutionary War, the United States has been in debt. The problem is now that the debt has increased above its means of being reduced, it cannot be as quickly cleared as its previous debts once were.
A.    The national debt began in 1790.
According to Davidson and the Library of Congress Congressional Research, the National Debt began in 1790. The Revolutionary War incurred $75 million in debt. According to Davidson, in 1835 President Jackson paid the $75 million total of the United States national debt. According to Davidson, The national debt was reduced close to a zero balance. Library of Congress Congressional Research states that the national debt has only been free in the years of 1834 and 1835.
The beginning of the Great Depression

B.     World War I incurred 6 billion dollars in debt.
According to Davidson, the national debt grew from $6 billion in 1916 to $27 billion in 1919.  Davidson states that tax receipts over exceeded government spending. According to Davidson, in 1929 the nation’s debt was reduced to $16.9 billion.


Soup Line

C.     The Great Depression began, and unemployment rose.
According to Davidson, Tax revenues fell from $4 billion to $2 billion. Davidson states that when President Roosevelt took office in 1933, the national debt was almost $20 billion. In 1936 the national debt increased to $33.7 billion. In1937, Roosevelt cut government spending. 
D.    World War II began after the Great Depression.
According to Davidson, in 1938 government returned to significant deficit spending, and the economy quickly recovered. According to Davidson, in 1940 the economy grew and the national debt rose to $43 billion. According to Davidson, from 1941 to 1945 gross domestic product increased by half of its original state while the national debt grew more than 500 percent. Davidson states that in 1945 the national debt increased to $258 billion.
E.     The United States has been at war ever since it was declared a country.
Throughout the history of the United States there was the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Cold War,  Vietnam War and  in Iraq.  Every war that occurred cost the United States millions of dollars. And these millions were borrowed, because research proved that even the first war was paid off in 1835 by President Jackson. According to Davidson, President Jackson freed the country of d ebt.  Research shows that although debt has been a part of the United States history, national debt sky rocketed
after 9-1-1.  






II.            Budget
The federal budget is over exceeded by many contributing factors. Research shows that the budget is exceeded and over drawn by both the government and its economy. The economy suffers from high unemployment rates, while the government over spends and borrows to pay for Social Security, healthcare, and military expenditures.
A.    Budget Reform
In Federalist Nos. 12 and 30-36, Posner depicts the benefits of a national financial
organization with economic incomes. Posner’s dissertation examines the fiscal plan process of inflation. According to Penner, historical evidence proves that many governments have tried to inflate their way out of fiscal difficulties, and it works. Penner claims that through the process of inflation, the real value of the national debt is reduced which reforms the budget.
B.     Bipartisan and Congress cooperation
Penner depicts main drivers of this situation as Social Security and health care programs,
where growth is amplified by an aging population and increasing medical costs. Congress is dysfunctional because it fails to perform the way the economy expects it to. Congress also fails the economy because of its disinclination to tackle the increasing problem of Social Security and medical programs.
C.     Congress is dysfunctional.
According to Posner, Congress’s attention is focused more on elections. Posner claims that members of Congress support their on nominations and elections. Posner argues that Congress had incentives to reach excessively large-scale and emblematic fiscal aims that were difficult to keep and implement. According to Penner, Congress also allowed the estate tax to expire in 2010 because they were not able to decide if they wanted to keep Bush’s tax cuts.
D.    Budget Problems
Bipartisan Policy Center’s Debt Reduction Task Force have generated thoughtful and coherent plans for debt reduction but have yielded little political linkage. Averseness to come to adheres to the United States federal deficit has escalated the stakes of a superior debt calamity, and this editorial spells out potential reactions, should there be any. Assumed the obstacles associated with the prevalent refurbishment of fiscal policy, it is challenging to see how it will be circumvented.
III.       Deficit
The United States deficit is steady accumulating, while the plan to reduce it is to keep
spending.  According to Commonweal, Americans have ruined their credit and left their children responsible for their accumulated debt.  Commonweal claims that the debt had been incurred through the government finance of military expenditures in Iraq, heath care, and social security.  According to Commonweal, state governors mandated by law have taken action to reduce the deficits.  Roven claims that the deficit is a big problem America will have to face.  According to Roven, the United States government exceeds its budget which creates the deficit. When the government creates these deficits, it is a big problem because the government creates debt. Deficits are debts that the economy pays back through tax revenues and gross domestic product. When a deficit is accumulated, tax revenues and gross domestic product in take is less than what the government spends in administration securities. Because the government is obliged to finance administration securities, deficits are accumulated when monies allocated exceed its budget.
A. Exceeding the budget is a big problem.
Roven refers to legal documents that list the spendings of each fiscal year from 1999 to
2002. Roven discusses the monies allocated to other administration programs funded by the government. Roven argues that the monies allocated exceed the federal fiscal policy. According to Posner, the “Great Recession” prompted deficits to increase over %10 percent of the economy.
B.  The national debt deficit is at a manageable level, but it is causing frustration in its process.
According to the Editors of Commonweal, David Broder of the Washington Post explained that President Bush’s pledge to reduce budget deficits added $683 billion to the national debt, and $600 billion more each year that he was in office. According to former Treasury secretary Robert E. Rubin, projected a ten year federal deficit of $5 trillion. According to The Wall Street Journal, United States household spending increased by %30, and its income increased %11. Posner claims that deficits are arranged to return to modest levels, if the Bush and Obama tax cuts expires by 2012.

IV.      Warning
According to Penner, the United States national debt is on a path to reach 185 percent of
gross domestic product by 2035 unless there is a major change in federal fiscal policy.
Penner claims that Congress is dysfunctional because Congress fails to perform the way America expects it to and lacks the inclination that is needed to tackle the increasing problems of Social Security and medical programs. According to Thomas E. Woods Jr., America must face that the national debt must be reduced. Thomas claims that the economy expects too much of the government. Thomas argues that only the combination of fiscal and monetary stimulus can save the economy.
A.      Aging of the population versus

According to Penner, the average age of the economy is rising. There are fewer younger
people than before. Because there is more of the aging population, a lot of them are retirees. They are either receiving government assistance through Social Security or health care. Those receiving these benefits benefit from the tax revenues of the working economy and tax payers.
B.     Social Security and Health Care
According to Penner, Congress in unwilling to tackle the burden of Social Security and m
medical programs. Penner argues that Social Security alone mandates half of the fiscal budget.  According to Penner, Social Security and health programs has risen dramatically since the 1990s. Penner  Tragedy of US Dolllar and economy claims Social Security and Medicare accounts for the bulk of health spending.

C.     Hiring versus Unemployment rates
According to Davidson, household suffer from high unemployment. Davidson claims that entrepreneurs are unlikely to invest in new facilities, workers, and equipment while the market demands are declining. Davidson also claims that with falling property and sales tax revenues, governments are reducing spending on public programs. According to Penner, growth of the work force slowing down implied the slowing growth of tax revenues. Penner claims that the slowing down of employment will cause a long term budget problem.
D.    Decrease in Market Values , Large Credit Debt, and Shrinking Pension Funds
According to Davidson, decreasing market values also decreased the values of homes. High unemployment rates also produced large credit card debt.  According to Davidson, firms will hire more employees when the market demands increase. Shrinking pension funds helped decreased the incoming of gross domestic products.
The Money We Spend

E.     Financing Government Spending
Fifty percent of the federal spendings of the Congressional Budget Office was directed towards Social Security, according to Penner.  Penner claims that eventually the cost of the debt will begin to take over the federal budget and end government as we know it. Penner also claims that in the fiscal year of 2012, the Federal Reserve will be buying about $600 billion of the debt.
V.           Conclusion
To conclude, research claims that the United States has always had a significant outstanding debt.  The United States Budget is over spent every fiscal year.  Because the budget is over spent, the government borrows money to pay for administration fees such as health care, social security, and military expenditures. When the government borrows money, it owes money. Owing too much money could potentially ruin the government’s credit with creditors
A.    Origin
Research shows that United States debt originated from wars. The Revolutionary war began the United States debt in 1790. By 1919, World War I had increased the national debt to $27 billion. World War I increased the national debt to $6 billion. When the Great Depression began, unemployment rose. After World War II, the national debt rose to $258 billion. And ever since the Revolutionary War, the United States has been in debt. The problem is now that the debt has increased above its means of being reduced, it cannot be as quickly cleared as its previous debts once were.
B.     Budget
The federal budget is over exceeded by many contributing factors. Research shows that the budget is exceeded and over drawn by both the government and its economy. The economy suffers from high unemployment rates, while the government over spends and borrows to pay for Social Security, healthcare, and military expenditures
C.     Deficit
The United States deficit is steady accumulating, while the plan to reduce it is to keep
spending.  According to Commonweal, Americans have ruined their credit and left their children responsible for their accumulated debt.  Commonweal claims that the debt had been incurred through the government finance of military expenditures in Iraq, heath care, and social security. 
D.    Warning
 
According to Thomas E. Woods Jr., America must face that the national debt must be reduced. Thomas claims that the economy expects too much of the government. Thomas argues that only the combination of fiscal and monetary stimulus can save the economy.

Danedria Maggette - Biography

Danedria Maggette was born in Memphis, TN in 1986 to Mr. and Mrs. Danny Maggette. As an adolescent she was very fund of health, arts and crafts, business, and fashion. Known for her brilliant mind, Maggette at the age of 25 achieved a Bachelor’s of Professional Studies at University of Memphis’s University College. Today she is out for a conquest of the world.
At the age of 16, Danedria Maggette was the Vice President of the French Club. Performing well in school, Maggette achieved Principle’s List and Honor Roll because she perceived being recognized for your works was the way of the world.
In 2009, Maggette set out to a documentary on a well-known small community in the city she resided in. She documented the historical existence of Memphis, TN Frayser district with two other colleagues. Southwest Community College Gill Campus sponsored the project.
As of today, Maggette is achieving her long life goal of perfecting team management, donating to poverty, and knitting a close relationship with family.

Resume

Danedria Maggette
901-353-5826 or 901-515-8513
3350 Madewell
Memphis, TN.
Education
Bachelor of Professional Studies, University of Memphis,
Memphis, TN, 2012
Major: Organizational Leadership
Minor: Women Studies
Dean’s List
Experiences
Cashier, Big Lots Closeout Store, Memphis, TN.
July 2009 – June 2010
* Supervised and displayed the cosmetics department
* Instructed team members on how to operate price guns and electronic item scanners
* Raised gift card purchases and Buzz Club membership sign-up

Stocker, Target, Bartlett, TN.
Nov. 2006 – Dec. 2006
* Constructed display mounts for special items
* Displayed merchandise in apparel, electronics, and grocery
* Taught and assisted cashiers in cashing out orders, and promoted Target credit and debit cards. 
* Researched and ordered items for customers on-line
* Supervised in the jewelry and accessories department

Internship
Bam’z Boutique, Memphis, TN.
Dec.2010 – Present
* studied managerial aspects of costume jewelry business
* helped implement rules and assist customers
* held accountable for operating machinery, displaying jewelry, security, and keeping count of the number of sales
* created web pages for the boutique

Volunteered at Southwest Community College Gill Center
May 2009 – July 2009
* Researched and transcribed data
* Conducted interviews using video and audio recorders
* Outlined and edited data and evidence for documentary project using Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Other Experiences

* Vice President of High School French Club
* Career Readiness trained at Bridges USA
* Member of WIN program
* Volunteered for Youth Villages
* Board member for Young Women of Society

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

"Non Profit Sector as a Whole" - BLOG

Nonprofit Organizations (Definition)

By: Danedria Maggette

Undergraduate Student,  University of Memphis


Definition
A nonprofit organization is formed for the purpose of serving a public or mutual benefit other than the pursuit or accumulation of profits for owners or investors. "The nonprofit sector is a collection of entities that are organizations; private as opposed to governmental; non-profit distributing; self-governing; voluntary; and of public benefit" (Solamon 10). The nonprofit sector is often referred to as the third sector, independent sector, voluntary sector, philanthropic sector, social sector, tax-exempt sector, or the charitable sector. For example:  

Historic Roots
Approximately 1 and 2 million organizations are registered with the IRS as nonprofit organizations. It is estimated that millions more small formal and informal associations exist that do not register with the IRS because they have revenues of less than five thousand dollars per year. Nonprofit organizations in America have combined revenues of approximately $621 and 4 billion, which represents 6.2% of the nation's economy. An estimated 10.2 million people are employed in the sector. For example: Make A Wish Foundation
Nonprofit organizations are usually classified as either member serving (addressing the needs of only a select number of individuals) or public. They take many forms:

Charities - e.g. American Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA
Foundations - e.g., W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Ford Foundation, community foundations
Social Welfare or Advocacy Organizations - e.g., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), National Rifle Association (NRA)
Professional/Trade Associations - e.g., Chamber of Commerce, American Medical Association (AMA)
Religious Organizations - e.g., churches
The definition of charitable organization in American law can be traced back to the Statute of Charitable Uses (43 Eliz. I c4) enacted by the English Parliament in 1601, which has been described as "the starting point of the modern law of charities" (Douglas, 43). When the United States Congress met to develop the first federal income tax laws, they determined that nonprofit organizations should be free from the burden of having to pay income taxes and also called upon society to support these organizations. Almost all nonprofits are exempt from federal corporate income taxes. Most are also exempt from state and local property and sales taxes. Nonprofits have received this status because they relieve the government of its burden, benefit society, or fall under the provision of separation of church and state. It is important to point out that nonprofit organizations are not prohibited from making a profit. The IRS does however restrict what organizations can do with its "profits." All money must go back into the operation of the organization. Profits cannot be disseminated among owners or investors.
The National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities classify nonprofit organizations into nine major groups:
  • Arts, culture, humanities
     
  • Education
     
  • Environment and animals
     
  • Health
     
  • Human services
     
  • International, foreign affairs
     
  • Public societal benefit
     
  • Religion related
     
  • Mutual/membership benefit
There are economic, historical, and political theories regarding the reason why nonprofit organizations exist in today's society.
Market failure - This theory is based on the premise that not enough people desire a service or program to attract for-profit corporations to provide such services. Also, the fact that an organization exists without a profit-motive instills trust in the constituent.
Government failure - The government will not provide a service because of high cost or limited interest by the public. If there is not a large presence of constituents demanding a response from government, then the government is not likely to act. A small group of individuals can create a nonprofit organization to provide mutually desired services rather then trying to convince a majority of citizens to support such efforts. There is also a cultural resistance to "big" government. Citizens are skeptical about the government being involved in all aspects of community life.
Historical Theory - Communities in America were formed well before formal government. Citizens were forced to come together to address issues within their communities and work together to form a solution. Even when government developed a presence within a community, citizens were afraid of the bureaucracy and often sought out solutions through voluntary association. Religion also provides a strong foundation for charity and altruism through scripture and a sense of duty taught within the church.
Political Science Theory - Nonprofit organizations provide an avenue for civic participation. People are able to assemble and work toward a common goal with an intent to benefit the public. Nonprofit organizations provide an outlet for pluralism and solidarity.

Importance
In a book by Lester Salamon called America's Nonprofit Sector, the author concludes that the nonprofit sector exists to serve four critical functions:
Service Provision: Nonprofit organizations provide programs and services to the community. Often times, nonprofits are formed or expanded to react to a community need not being met by the government. Nonprofits also tend to have the ability to act faster than government in response to an issue. Nonprofits do not have to wait for a majority of citizens to agree upon a proposed solution. Rather, they have the ability to react to a specialized need or a request by a small group of citizens.
Value Guardian: Nonprofit organizations provide a mechanism for promoting individual initiatives for the public good (16). Nonprofit organizations provide a means by which members of a community can take action in an attempt to change the community they live in. These actions may take the form of developing a local neighborhood watch program or, on a larger scale, developing an organization that responds to world relief efforts.
Advocacy and Problem Identification : Nonprofit organizations provide a means for drawing public attention to societal issues. Nonprofit organizations make it "possible to identify significant social and political concerns, to give voice to under-represented people and points of view, and to integrate these perspectives into social and political life" (16).
Social Capital: In America, the nonprofit sector can be seen as a bridge between capitalism and democracy. Nonprofit organizations develop a sense of community among the citizens by providing a means to engage in social welfare.

Links to the Philanthropy
Nonprofit organizations receive approximately ten percent of their income from donations. There is a common belief by the general public that this percentage is much higher. In fact, many believe nonprofit organizations receive the bulk of their income from donations. In reality, most of the income received by nonprofits is generated from fees for services, sale of products, or earned interest on investments. The second highest source of income is government grants or contracts. Private giving is merely the third highest source of income for nonprofit organizations. However, a large number of American citizens contribute to nonprofit organizations. In 1998, a reported 70% of households contributed to charity.
Volunteerism is a key component for nonprofit organizations. Volunteers serve a variety of roles within organizations. Most notably, nonprofit organizations are each governed by a volunteer board of directors. Volunteers are also utilized as fundraisers, service delivery staff, staff management, and in numerous other capacities. Volunteers bring personal experiences and professional expertise to enhance the nonprofit organization. In 1998, it is estimated that 109 million Americans volunteered an average of 3.5 hours per week in nonprofit organizations. This is equivalent to nine million full-time employees at a value of $225 billion (Gallop Organization).

Key Related Ideas
  • Advocacy
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Charities
  • Civil Society
  • Education
  • Health Care
  • Public Policy
  • Public Service
  • Religion
  • Social Services
  • Tax Law
  • Welfare System



    Important Related Nonprofit Organizations
    In the United States, nonprofit organizations are defined under the federal tax code as followed:
    Section # Type of Organization
    501 (c)(1) Corporations organized under an act of Congress
    501 (c)(2) Title-holding companies
    501 (c)(3) Religious, charitable, educational, etc.
    501 (c)(4) Social Welfare
    501 (c)(5) Labor, agriculture organization
    501 (c)(6) Business leagues
    501 (c)(7) Social and recreational clubs
    501 (c)(8) Fraternal beneficiary societies
    501 (c)(9) Voluntary employees' beneficiary societies
    501 (c)(10) Domestic fraternal beneficiary societies
    501 (c)(11) Teachers' retirement fund
    501 (c)(12) Benevolent life insurance associations
    501 (c)(13) Cemetery companies
    501 (c)(14) Credit unions
    501 (c)(15) Mutual insurance companies
    501 (c)(16) Corporations to finance crop operation
    501 (c)(17) Supplemental unemployment benefit trusts
    501 (c)(18) Employee-funded pension trusts
    501 (c)(19) War veterans' organizations
    501 (c)(20) Legal services organizations
    501 (c)(21) Black lung trusts
    501 (c)(25) Holding companies for pensions
    501 (d) Religious and apostolic organizations
    501 (e) Cooperative hospital service organizations
    501 (f) Cooperative service org. or operating educational organizations
    521 Farmers' cooperatives
    527 Political organizations

    Important Related Web Sites
    GuideStar:www.guidestar.org
    Independent Sector:www.independentsector.org
    Internet Nonprofit Center:www.nonprofits.org
    Michigan Nonprofit Association:www.mnaonline.org/
    National Council of Nonprofit Associations:www.ncna.org
    The Nonprofit Resource Center:www.nprcenter.org/


    Resources:
    Boris, Elizabeth T. and C. Eugene Steurele. Nonprofits and Government: Collaboration and Conflict. Washington D.C.: Urban Institute Press, 1999.
    Douglas, James. "Political Theories of Nonprofit Organizations." In The Nonprofit Sector, edited by Walter W. Powell. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1987.
    Gallop Organization. Giving and Volunteering in the United States, Survey report, May, 1999.
    Hall, Peter D. "A Historical Overview of the Private Nonprofit Sector." In The Nonprofit Sector, edited by Walter W. Powell. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1987.
    National Center for Nonprofit Boards. Ask NCNB: What You Should Know About Nonprofits: What is the Nonprofit Sector? [online]. Available: http://www.ncnb.org/QnA.asp?Category=8. (31 March 2001).
    The Nonprofit Resource Center. What is a Nonprofit Organization? [online]. Available: www.not-for-profit.org. (31 March 2001).
    Salamon, Lester M. America's Nonprofit Sector: A Primer. New York: The Foundation Center, 1999.
    http://learningtogive.org/papers/paper41.html