Financial Stability In Not-For-Profit Organizations: A Case Study

A nonprofit organization (NPO), is defined as a business “not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit” (merriamwebster.com). However, to pursue the goal of benefiting society, a nonprofit must have enough funds in order to further their mission. Nonprofits rely heavily on government funding, outside donations, and fundraising to get what they need, but the amount received by an organization fluctuates year to year which makes budgeting and accounting difficult. This thesis will work to evaluate the financial and business processes of the not-for-profit organization called Partners in Development located in Ipswich Massachusetts. Partners in Development is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization that sends teams of volunteers to Haiti, Guatemala, Peru, and the Mississippi Delta to build homes, and provide medical care and clean water to those in need. Based off of extensive research in the not-for-profit sector as well as an interview with the organization’s President; this thesis will identify and explain the business and financial practices of this organization that result in its success, and serve as an example for those wishing to pursue their lifelong dream of helping others

A Climactic Unimak Island Caldera-Forming Eruption, Aleutian Arc, Alaska: Magma storage and pre-eruption P-T-fO2-H2O conditions of the rhyodacite magma

Understanding the mingling interactions between felsic and mafic end-member magmas is essential in understanding the physical processes occurring in bimodal eruptions. The Fisher caldera-forming eruption (CFE), which co-erupted rhyodacite (~69 wt.% SiO2) and basaltic andesite (~53 wt.% SiO2) ~9400 yBP, was studied to better understand the scenarios under which bimodal CFEs erupt. The shallow rhyodacite had a pre-eruptive temperature of 877 – 908°C and the basaltic andesite had a pre-eruptive temperature of 1065 – 1147°C. Preeruptive water contents of ~4±1.5 wt.% H2O for the rhyodacite and ~0 – 2.5 wt.% H2O for the basaltic andesite suggest that the magmas were typical for Aleutian arc magmas. This study presents new geochemical and isotopic data from glasses and minerals from Fisher and Shishaldin CFE deposits. Geochemical relationships between Shishaldin and Fisher CFEs indicates these deposits are from the same eruption, sourced from magmas underlying the Fisher Volcano. Results from differentiation models show that the rhyodacite did not form from closed-system fractional crystallization of the co-erupted basaltic andesite, similar to observations of antecrystic minerals and δ18O data. Assimilation of hydrothermally-altered country rock is interpreted to cause the low δ18O signature of both the basaltic andesite and rhyodacite. In this study, I test three hypotheses for magma plumbing systems that have been shown to lead to compositionally bimodal CFEs: (1) a single, compositionally-zoned magma chamber, (2) a shallow silicic reservoir and a mid- or deep-crustal basaltic andesite reservoir, with rising mafic magma injecting into the shallow chamber; and (3) an independent and complex system of magma chambers within the upper crust. Geochemical modeling results and oxygen isotope data suggest that the Fisher magmatic system likely comprised a complex system of multiple independent, shallow magma chambers with the rhyodacite and basaltic andesite evolving separately but proximal to each other. The shallow rhyodacite had a pre-eruptive temperature of 877 – 908°C and the basaltic andesite had a pre-eruptive temperature of 1065 – 1147°C. Preeruptive water contents of ~4±1.5 wt.% H2O for the rhyodacite and ~0 – 2.5 wt.% H2O for the basaltic andesite suggest that the magmas were typical for Aleutian arc magmas

Revisiting the Global Governance Framework in History and Understanding its Contemporary Potential for the European Union

This study investigates the historical development and implementation of global governance theory, recognizing its collaborative framework as a critical tool in global politics. While the theory, alongside its epistemic foundations, offers productive and useful guidance for approaching transnational affairs, the question remains whether or not the application of this theory to reality has been successful and advantageous. In order to evaluate this translation, three key structures for transnational relations are examined: the Entente Cordiale, the League of Nations, and the European Union. By consulting key global governance theorists, academic assessments, as well as news reports, this paper analyzes and evaluates Europe’s use of a global governance framework. Although the reality of implementing this theory has exposed significant flaws, this study points to global governance theory as a valuable framework, suggesting the need to return to this theory, particularly for navigating through uncertainty and instability in global politics

Intersex wildlife as sentinels for human health and endocrine disruption near Superfund sites: A Systematic Review

Fish and wildlife are often used as sentinels for human health. This systematic review examines one aspect of wildlife health, intersex (both ovarian and testicular tissue) animals and their prevalence or severity near Superfund sites (EPA designated toxic waste sites). The body of evidence demonstrates some evidence of this indicator and more research is needed, specifically a meta-analysis that is outside the scope of this study

Social Media and Marketing as a Means of Planning and Promoting the 2022 Camp PolyHacks Hackathon

The recruitment of attendees and promotion of Camp PolyHacks, an annual Hackathon hosted by Cal Poly, required marketing strategies which were informed by relevant communication theories applied to event marketing campaign strategies. The theories utilized included Social Marketing Theory (SMT), Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT), Consistency Theory (CT), and elements of persuasion and visual communication. The marketing strategies used by the Camp PolyHacks 2022 Marketing and Social Media team included social media marketing in the form of Instagram posts, stories, and direct messages, and external marketing in the form of presentations, emails, booths, and posters. This paper examines the utility of these marketing strategies, how they were informed by communication theories, and why they are valuable for future applications. The evaluation of the marketing tactics used during the Camp PolyHacks recruitment period offers insight into best practices for recruiting 100 student participants to attend a community and university based event in San Luis Obispo. An appendix at the end of the paper will provide a sample of the tools and content that were used throughout the marketing process through social media and external marketing

Activist Agriculture: Farm protest in Iowa, 1929-1969

Throughout the twentieth century, farmers in Iowa and the Midwest struggled to make a living off their land and hard work. Post-war price busts and the Great Depression only exacerbated the general erosion in farm parity as increasing costs of production were not matched by an increase in farm commodity prices. In response, farmers organized in an effort to move from being victims of the economic and social situation to self-determined shapers of action. In this exhibit, we take a closer look at mobilization of farmers to confront and obstruct tuberculosis testing of cattle during the Iowa Cow Wars of the early 1930s and the commodity holding actions of the National Farmers Organization (NFO) in the 1960s. The exhibit will cover the actions and methods used by the farmers as well as how they leveraged the media to affect change. Finally, we look at the parallel struggles of migrant farm workers to improve wages and working conditions, examining the efforts both to pass legislation in Iowa in support of migrant farm workers and to support the Delano Grape Strike in California and the related international boycott.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/speccoll_exhibits/1003/thumbnail.jp

A survey of gender differences in technophobia and in the adoption of high-technology consumer products

Despite the advent of technology into consumers’ daily lives, many consumers are plagued by feelings of fear towards complex technology-related products. Feelings of anxiety and fear often lead to the avoidance of technology; in other words, so-called ‘technophobia’. This study aims to establish whether gender differences in technophobia and the adoption of high-technology consumer products continue to exist in this digital age, or whether they have indeed changed over time. Further, this study also aims to uncover the main social reasons that gender differences in technophobia can occur. The results of this study provide new insight into gender differences towards technology purchases. The findings should assist marketers by providing a clearer understanding of how men and women adopt new technology products in the 21st century. By understanding gender differences in attitudes towards technology, marketers are better able to target and communicate technology benefits that consumers can relate to and appreciate. Following a review of the available literature, the theory of the diffusion of innovation was presented as a foundation to studies of gender differences in technophobia. The Technology Readiness Index (TRI) was introduced as a sound means of measuring technophobia, based on an in-depth study of the available measurement scales to measure for technophobia. The study included men and women, aged between 25 and 35 years, of higher socio-economic classes, residing in the Northern Johannesburg regions of South Africa. Gender differences in levels of technophobia are studied in relation to three different technologies (computers, DSLR cameras and home automation technology) in order to compare gender differences towards technologies at different stages of the diffusion curve. Future research avenues regarding studies in to technophobia are also presented. The results indicate that traditional differences between genders towards technology still exist amongst South African consumers. Women continue to experience higher levels of technophobia towards new technology than men. However, the degree of these differences changes, depending on the technology used. Regarding why these gender differences may occur, levels of optimism, risk taking and cognitive involvement between genders were measured. In general, the results indicate that traditional gender differences towards technology continue to exist in South Africa. Thus, although marketers may assume that in the modern digital age, men and women are consuming electronics in the same manner, this study shows that this is not necessarily the case, and as a new product is introduced to the market, marketers need to employ differentiating strategies in order to target both men and women successfully. By tailoring the manner in which technology is advertised and shared to the female consumer, marketers are better able to capture this more ‘technophobic’ consumer. The advertising of technologies exasperates the gender divide by confirming established sex role stereotypes, and managers need to learn to differentiate and cater for both genders when advertising technology products. This study illustrates that the degree of technophobia women possess towards technology depends on the technology and its ‘inherent gender bias’ and marketers need to adapt their communications according to the technology being sold. Marketers in the electronics industry cannot have a ‘one-hat-fits-all’ assumption of women and technology, and need to analyse the ‘technology fit’ and communicate it to the market accordingly. By uncovering the social reasons why gender differences continue to exist, advertisers can use these inherent gender differences to test and design advertisements that improve female beliefs about the technology. Marketers are encouraged to experiment with different communication strategies that improve inherent beliefs based on social norms. This study found that women are less optimistic than men, exhibit higher levels of risk aversion, and higher cognitive-processing than men when considering technology purchases. The greatest challenge in stimulating the adoption of high-technology products is the perceived risk that a consumer undergoes when making a purchasing decision. Increasing levels of consumer resistance are also attributed to the sheer volume of new information in the digital era and managers thus need to employ simplifying strategies in order to help break through the messaging clutter and alleviate the information overload that the consumer is experiencing. Managers need to find a balance between being seen as innovative market leaders, and successfully introducing the technology at a pace that invites consumer adoption and acceptance. This study provides strong empirical support for managers attempting to successfully target technology products to men and women. By uncovering gender differences in the way that one reacts to technology, one is better able to understand the consumer and marketing efforts are strengthened. This study not only sheds some light on consumer attitudes, feelings and reactions to new technologies, but it also provides important insight into how men and women accept technology in the market.Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2011.Marketing ManagementMComUnrestricte