Comments on: Are You Joining a Sector or Joining a Cause? http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/ The Personal and Professional Insights of a Struggling College Grad Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:22:45 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Introducing a secret Nonprofit Millennial Bloggers Alliance « Trina's Nonprofit Blog http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/#comment-1656 Introducing a secret Nonprofit Millennial Bloggers Alliance « Trina's Nonprofit Blog Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:49:15 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/?p=621#comment-1656 [...] The personal and professional insights of a struggling college grad.Read one of Allison’s favourite posts: Are you joining a sector or joining a cause? [...] [...] The personal and professional insights of a struggling college grad.Read one of Allison’s favourite posts: Are you joining a sector or joining a cause? [...]

]]> By: Lessons on Leadership from Joel Klein « Entry Level Living http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/#comment-1082 Lessons on Leadership from Joel Klein « Entry Level Living Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:14:45 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/?p=621#comment-1082 [...] taking bold decisive moves when it comes to bringing about change, while Schall (Dean of Wagner) discussed collaboration and passion.  Of course you don’t take bold actions on things you aren’t passionate about no one operates [...] [...] taking bold decisive moves when it comes to bringing about change, while Schall (Dean of Wagner) discussed collaboration and passion.  Of course you don’t take bold actions on things you aren’t passionate about no one operates [...]

]]> By: ajlovesya http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/#comment-1018 ajlovesya Sat, 09 May 2009 03:32:08 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/?p=621#comment-1018 Thanks Akhila! Allison Fine made an interesting comment in a recent post of hers how "doing well by doing good" will be inevitably a for-profit as the nonprofit status is not conducive to that. And some examples I have seen look like for-profits with side-arm philanthropy projects. Meanwhile more nonprofits are beginning to generate their own revenue. How is social enterprise different from these models? Thanks Akhila! Allison Fine made an interesting comment in a recent post of hers how “doing well by doing good” will be inevitably a for-profit as the nonprofit status is not conducive to that. And some examples I have seen look like for-profits with side-arm philanthropy projects. Meanwhile more nonprofits are beginning to generate their own revenue. How is social enterprise different from these models?

]]> By: ajlovesya http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/#comment-1017 ajlovesya Sat, 09 May 2009 03:26:23 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/?p=621#comment-1017 Thanks for sharing Kathrin! The corporate philanthropy approach is interesting and as I stated before, wouldnt real social change come when these side-arm programs are not necessary? Thanks for sharing Kathrin! The corporate philanthropy approach is interesting and as I stated before, wouldnt real social change come when these side-arm programs are not necessary?

]]> By: ajlovesya http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/#comment-1015 ajlovesya Sat, 09 May 2009 03:17:06 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/?p=621#comment-1015 Thanks for sharing Shawn and welcome to my blog! Your comment really captures my main point: Define the change you wish to see and the life you want based on your own values then choose a path that best fits that vision. Thanks for sharing Shawn and welcome to my blog! Your comment really captures my main point: Define the change you wish to see and the life you want based on your own values then choose a path that best fits that vision.

]]> By: Shawn http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/#comment-1014 Shawn Fri, 08 May 2009 15:02:04 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/?p=621#comment-1014 This is an interesting question! I think Dean Schall's point is a good one. However, I would also tend to agree with Allison that there are fundamental differences between the sectors that are difficult to ignore. What I take from this is that I should look beyond the sector divisions when developing my end goal; define it independently of the concepts of "non-profit," "for-profit" or "government." Then, in determining how to achieve that goal, I might pay closer attention to things like the stability of working in (western) government, the idealism of nonprofit organizations and the innovation that social enterprises often embrace. This is an interesting question! I think Dean Schall’s point is a good one. However, I would also tend to agree with Allison that there are fundamental differences between the sectors that are difficult to ignore. What I take from this is that I should look beyond the sector divisions when developing my end goal; define it independently of the concepts of “non-profit,” “for-profit” or “government.” Then, in determining how to achieve that goal, I might pay closer attention to things like the stability of working in (western) government, the idealism of nonprofit organizations and the innovation that social enterprises often embrace.

]]> By: Akhila http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/#comment-1013 Akhila Fri, 08 May 2009 12:20:34 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/?p=621#comment-1013 Great post! I think this is definitely a good and important question to ask. I feel like most people who work at nonprofits, and ESPECIALLY those who work in fundraising or as an Executive Director, feel themselves committed to the cause. Otherwise, they wouldn't do it necessarily if they could make more money in a similar position at a for-profit company. Personally, I'd do it for the cause, but the more important question you ask is whether you can achieve your goals related to your cause in any sector. I think here's where the important idea of social enterprise is going to be vital, because social business allows you to make an impact while also pursuing profit, allowing your company to be sustainable without having to rely on donations or charity as a method of survival. It allows you to be more effective and scale up. I think, definitely, working in a social enterprise is a good alternative to achieving social change through a nonprofit. Great post! I think this is definitely a good and important question to ask. I feel like most people who work at nonprofits, and ESPECIALLY those who work in fundraising or as an Executive Director, feel themselves committed to the cause. Otherwise, they wouldn’t do it necessarily if they could make more money in a similar position at a for-profit company. Personally, I’d do it for the cause, but the more important question you ask is whether you can achieve your goals related to your cause in any sector. I think here’s where the important idea of social enterprise is going to be vital, because social business allows you to make an impact while also pursuing profit, allowing your company to be sustainable without having to rely on donations or charity as a method of survival. It allows you to be more effective and scale up. I think, definitely, working in a social enterprise is a good alternative to achieving social change through a nonprofit.

]]> By: Kathrin Ivanovic http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/are-you-joining-a-sector-or-joining-a-cause/#comment-1011 Kathrin Ivanovic Fri, 08 May 2009 11:37:06 +0000 http://entrylevelliving.wordpress.com/?p=621#comment-1011 It is definitely about the cause for me. I have been involved in pro-migrant and immigration reform action for some time before I started working at NSC! I am lucky enough to have my personal social justice values align with what I do professionally! If I ever left NSC, it would be for a cause that I am equally passionate about. I also feel connected to the mission and values of the sector as a whole. I spent many (unhappy) years in the corporate sector. I was frustrated because the values of the sector were not in alignment with my own. Now, with that being said, there are many corporations that value social justice and philanthropy, but the overall corporate culture is fundamentally different than the independent sector culture. Thanks for the great questions and dialogue! It is definitely about the cause for me. I have been involved in pro-migrant and immigration reform action for some time before I started working at NSC! I am lucky enough to have my personal social justice values align with what I do professionally! If I ever left NSC, it would be for a cause that I am equally passionate about.

I also feel connected to the mission and values of the sector as a whole. I spent many (unhappy) years in the corporate sector. I was frustrated because the values of the sector were not in alignment with my own. Now, with that being said, there are many corporations that value social justice and philanthropy, but the overall corporate culture is fundamentally different than the independent sector culture.

Thanks for the great questions and dialogue!

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