Creating a Culture of Philanthropy

There are many elements to consider when creating a culture of philanthropy. First, one must acknowledge the definition of philanthropy. Philanthropy is defined as “the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for other people” (Philanthropy, n.d., para 1). Although this is true, an organization which promotes a culture of philanthropy may view philanthropy as its broader definition of “an effort to promote human welfare” (Philanthropy, n.d., para 2). A culture of philanthropy is a newly perceived way for organizations to view the process of securing resources (Gibson, 2016). There are four components on which a culture of philanthropy is built. These include (1) shared responsibility for development, (2) integration and alignment with the organization mission, (3) focusing on fundraising as engagement, and (4) developing and sustaining strong donor relationships (Gibson, 2016). Barriers that may become apparent when trying to create a culture of philanthropy include the steadiness of big business philanthropy, and the lack of a concrete way to illustrate the culture’s effectiveness. Such barriers convey why organizations who are creating, or transitioning to, a culture of philanthropy should employ a strategic change process. It is indicated that are five steps to promote a successful change process (Cummings & Worley, 2014). These steps include (1) motivating change, (2) creating a vision, (3) developing political support, (4) managing the transition, and (5) sustaining momentum (Cummings & Worley, 2014). Utilizing a strategic change process will create organizations in which the love of mankind is at the core of their philanthropic practices

Genre, Birth Cohort, and Product Perception: Responses to Background Music in Commercial Advertising

Research shows that music transmits both embodied (universally perceptible) and referential (culturally specific) meanings. The present study sought to explore the persuasive power of music in commercial advertising, and the complex ties that exist between music, life experience and perception. The study looked at how the perception of a product could be altered in accordance with specific embodied and referential meanings. With a focus on the effects of music genre and birth cohort on product perception, embodied meanings were expected to produce similar results across birth cohorts, and referential meanings were expected to produce significantly different results. A total of 100 participants were administered the survey online. Participants watched 30-second original video clips and were asked to complete a survey. There were 16 videos made with the 4 products types and 4 music genres selected for the experiment. The survey measured perception through ratings of agreement to statements; one set of statements aimed to measure embodied meaning and the other to measure referential meaning. Each measure of the survey was individually analyzed; data used here is from the analysis of a product as classic. There was a significant main effect of music genre on product perception for a majority of the measures, F(3,273)=13.075, p F (2,91)=3.941, p=.023. There was no significant interaction between birth cohort and music genre on product perception for any measures, F(6,273)=.801, p =.570. Results show that the older cohort prefers classic rock and jazz, the younger birth cohort prefers electronic and pop. Results for the questions looking at referential meaning primarily produced insignificant results

The importance of sex education in the moral and emotional development of the adolescent girl

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston Universit

Concert recording 2018-04-21d

[Track 1]. Drei Gesänge von Goethe, op. 83. Wonne der Wehmut [Track 2]. Sehnsucht [Track 3]. Mit einem gemalten Band / Ludwig van Beethoven -- [Track 4]. From Sei Romanze. Non t\u27accostare all\u27urna [Track 5]. More, Elisa, lo stanco poeta [Track 6]. In solitaria stanza [Track 7]. Perduta ho la pace / Giuseppi Verdi -- [Track 8]. From Sex digte af Henrik Ibsen, op. 25. En Svane [Track 9]. Stambogsrim [Track 10]. Med en vandlilje / Edvard Grieg -- [Track 11]. Poéme d\u27un Jour, op. 21. Rencontre [Track 12]. Toujours [Track 13]. Adieu / Gabriel Fauré -- [Track 14]. Natural selection. Creation [Track 15]. Animal passion [Track 16]. Alas! alack [Track 17]. Indian summer - blue [Track 18]. Connection / Jake Heggie

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Effects of Curcumin and Epigallocatechin Gallate Supplementation on Serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Mood Disturbance in Adults

Mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances are becoming increasingly prevalent. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin involved in neuroplasticity and neuronal health, has emerged as a promising biomarker associated with psychiatric and mood related conditions. The research on and use of alternative treatments for such conditions are increasing with nutritional compounds like epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and curcumin demonstrating potential neuroprotective and mood-modulating effects. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of supplementation with these two compounds on mood disorder symptomology and serum BDNF in a young adult population with moderate depression symptoms. This was a randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial (RCT) where eligible participants were randomized to consume EGCG (350mg/day) and curcumin (1,330mg/day) or placebo capsules for 8-weeks. Mood outcomes were measured using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), sleep was assessed using the Global Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (GSAQ), and physical activity was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), all assessed at baseline, Week 4 and Week 8 with dietary intake and serum BDNF measured at baseline and Week 8. Individuals that were ineligible for the RCT due to low DASS-21 scores (controls) were recruited and matched to case participants by age, sex, and race for a case-control study. Results indicated significant improvements in mood (DASS-21 Composite, DASS-21 Depression, DASS-21 Stress, DASS-21 Anxiety, GAD-7, p < .001 for all), sleep (p < .001) and physical activity scores (p < .01) across all RCT participants with no significant difference between supplement and placebo groups. Mean serum BDNF levels did increase on average over the intervention in both groups but not to a statistically significant amount with no group by time interactions found. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between sugar intake (g/kg body weight) and mood symptoms in the intervention group at Week 8, further highlighting dietary impacts on mental health. Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores for fruit and vegetable intake were included to control for dietary polyphenol intake. Higher baseline fruit and vegetable intake was associated with lower depression, anxiety, and stress scores at select timepoints. However, changes in fruit and vegetable intake during the intervention were not significantly related to changes in mood symptomology, which suggests that dietary improvements did not account for any mood changes that were observed over the 8-week period. In the case-control study, the cases group had significantly higher mood disturbance scores compared to the matched controls (DASS-21 Composite and all subscales, as well as GAD-7, p < .001 for all). Physical activity levels of the cases group were significantly lower than the controls (p < .037). There were significant differences found in serum BDNF between the groups, with cases showing significantly lower levels versus controls (p <.001). Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores in the case-control analysis showed that baseline fruit and vegetable intake did not significantly predict mood symptom severity with no differences in diet quality observed between cases and controls. This indicates comparable baseline dietary pattern with minimal confounding from polyphenol intake in mood outcome comparisons. This study found that although the supplement group demonstrated significant reductions in mood disturbance and sleep disturbance scores, concurrent improvements in the placebo group indicate that the supplement had no effect. Several factors may have contributed to these null results and can be addressed in future studies. Additional research is warranted to delineate the specific roles of EGCG and curcumin, particularly in relation to BDNF modulation

When “Journalism Kids” Do Better: A Reassessment of Secondary and Post-Secondary Achievement and Activities

Using data from the nationally representative Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, this study examined how journalism participation in high school relates to subsequent academic outcomes. The analysis statistically controlled for a host of correlates of academic achievement, isolating the associations between journalism participation and subsequent outcomes. Results indicated that students who take more journalism in high school score higher than their peers on standardized tests of English; are more likely to major in journalism or related fields; and when they do, have higher grades in college English. Students who participate in extracurricular journalism also see some of these gains

A SURVEY OF KENTUCKY SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS’ PERCEIVED COMPETENCIES TO INFORM STATE-LEVEL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This study investigated perceived knowledge and competencies of current Kentucky school psychologists regarding professional standards of practice. Thirty one participants responded to the survey that measured school psychologists’ perceptions across each of the 10 national standards for professional practice. A series of one-way ANOVAs were used to determine if there was significance different between the factors. Implications, limitations, and future research are discussed

Adult education: Participation by persons age 65 and over

Numerous services are provided to persons aged 65 and over through programs involving the skills of home economics educators. Therefore home economics educators need to have a better understanding of persons in this age group, especially as it relates to participative behavior in learning activities. The purpose of this research was to explore the meaning of participation or the lack of participation in nonformal learning activities by persons aged 65 and over in central Iowa. Attention should be given to new ways of making education more attractive, accessible, and meaningful to older adults. It is evident from the participation statistics that the potential of those aged 65 and over who could be interested in education is still large. This study explored the experience of participants in nonformal learning activities. It provided insights as to how the current generation of elderly meet or are unable to meet their informational needs

Who Are the “Journalism Kids?” Academic Predictors of Journalism Participation in Secondary Schools

Prior scholastic journalism research did not adequately address the possibility that journalism students perform better academically because of their backgrounds and inherent abilities. Using Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 data, this study shows that high school journalism attracts better students. Although for-credit and extracurricular programs differentiate journalism student characteristics, journalism students generally tend to have greater English self-efficacy, higher English grade point average, greater involvement in schools, be female and White, or have a higher socioeconomic background than those who do not participate in journalism. Future assessments of journalism’s contribution to academic achievement should account for students’ pre-journalism characteristics

Completion of fit notes by GPs: a mixed methods study

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the completion of fit notes by UK general practitioners (GPs). A series of actual fit notes issued to employed patients were examined, and their GPs’ reflections and experiences of fit note completion explored. Methods: A mixed-methods design was used. Data were collected from copies of 94 fit notes issued to employed patients by 11 GPs, and from 86 questionnaires completed by these GPs reflecting on the fit notes they had issued. Face-to-face interviews were then conducted with each GP. Results: Fit note completion is not meeting expectations for a number of reasons. These include the following: limited knowledge and awareness of the guidance in fit note completion; problems with the fit note format; lack of mandatory training in completing fit notes; lack of incentive to change practice; incomplete implementation of the electronic fit note; GPs’ lack of confidence in, and doubts about the appropriateness of performing this role. Conclusion: If UK GPs are to continue their contractual responsibility for completing fit notes, further consideration of their education and training needs is urgently required. Weaknesses in the design and format of the fit note and the availability of the electronic version also need to be addressed