Wendy Lewis only

4 days ago

Leigha Moore

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I have had the pleasure of overtime learning about a local non-profit organization here in my home town known as the ARC of Central Virginia. The ARC's mission statement is "dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating and encouraging opportunities for individual growth and development." Where I currently work, we provide free maintenance at this building for their electrical and mechanical needs as well as once a year several of us participate in the United Way Day of Caring event where we go to the ARC for the day and provide any type of labor work needed, yard work, cleaning, painting, etc. This is an incredible organization run by whole hearted people who care about the people they help during the days. Concepts I see in this organization are non-profit distributing (page 58), self-governing (page 59) and public benefit (page 59).

The concept of non-profit distributing (page 58) means that any and all excess revenues are not distributed to benefit individual owners, but is reinvested into the organization. There is a common misconception with non-profits that the workers are paid poorly and they are given low salaries, however in certain cases these salaries are comparable with for-profit jobs. Non-profits are required to justify the compensation that is paid to them so that they are not disguised as salaries or benefits. The ARC is a company that not only has salary employees, it also has many volunteer positions. It is very clear to see that the money in this organization is thrown at the people who stay at the facility during the day for care, the bills to keep the lights and heat on, and the people who are employed. The ARC thrives based on donations of school supplies, books, toys, vehicles, games, movies, electronics, etc. 

The concept of self-governing (page 59) shows that the organization is no controlled by an individual owner or the government. Typically the control of a non-profit lies within a board of directors or something similar to oversee the daily missions, laws, and welfare of the organization. The ARC is controlled by a group of employees and a director on campus. There are a few key members at the ARC who are responsible in keeping the organization funded, running, and successful. These people are not a board of directors, but more so a group of employees who vote and fund raise together to promote an organization that means a lot to them. There is a director in the building who is responsible for any press involved and who coordinates with other organizations for volunteering, however he does not have any individual power.

The concept of public benefit (page 59) simply means that the public benefits from the organization. For the ARC, maybe not all of the public benefits from this organization but many who are involved and some who are unaware that they are involved do benefit. A good example of this is the ARC gives people with disabilities a place to be helped and cared for during the day so that their family members or caretakers are able to go to work during the day to support their families. Without a place such as the ARC, these caretakers would have to rely on others in the family to financially support them, however sometimes it is just the individual and their caretaker.

I believe God's purpose is reflected in these concepts by showing how to be unselfish, showing grace and loving others as He loves us. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45.

Referece:

Worth, Michael J. Nonprofit Management: Principles and Practice, 4th Edition. SAGE Publications, Inc, 2017. [MBS Direct].

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