The Bonner Capstone Series Bonner Capstone Introducing the
The Bonner Capstone Series Bonner Capstone Introducing the Capacity Building Mindset Learn how to help identify partners’ project needs and conduct a Community Partner Needs Assessments
Workshop Goals The purpose of this workshop is for students (especially sophomores) as they navigate their work with Bonner Partners to… 1 to learn the framework of capacity building to practice and apply skills needed to assess needs of community partners to take away a plan to approach community partners regarding capstone ideas 3 2
Today’s Agenda 1 • • • INTRODUCTION Goals and agenda Review capstone process Brave Space rules 4 REFLECTION 2 • Reflection activity 3 Be introduced to the concept of and be inspired by examples of capacity building PRACTICE ASSESSMENT 5 NEEDS • • INTRO TO CAPACITY SCENARIOS BUILDING Use a guided worksheet to come up with your own questions for community partners • 6 5 • SCENARIOS REFLECTION Problem solve hypothetical scenarios CONCLUSION Make a plan for next steps
“Signature Work”: A culminating educational activity in which students integrate and apply their learning to a significant project with meaning to the student and society
Bonner Capstone: A project that connects your identity, service, and academics A project created with the community A signature experience
Community Though capstones integrate these three elements, today we focus on the community component of capacity building projects.
What is capacity building? According to the Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) and National Council of Nonprofits, capacity building is “an investment in the effectiveness and future sustainability of a nonprofit. ”
Why Capacity Building? Our partners need a strong infrastructure to fully and efficiently serve the community We can provide partners with campus resources – including academic knowledge and our time – to enhance partners’ capacity to meet their missions and deliver strong programs
There are five categories of capacity building… Program Development and Training • • Create new or revamp old programs Design and facilitate curriculum Communications • • • Market or advertise events or services Manage social media and other outreach efforts Develop branding Research • Capacity building • • Volunteer Recruitment and Management • • • Recruit and supervise volunteers Create a volunteer structure Design and implement trainings Conduct community based or public policy research Evaluate programs Develop and implement surveys Fundraising • • • Research and write grants Raise funds creatively Write proposals
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er kinds of projects that might fall outside these Disciplinary Projects These projects are typically creative ways to address needs in the community. For instance, they might involve arts. Social Action Campaigns These teambased projects take a current political issue— local, national, or international—and launch a campaign to address it.
Examples of Projects Category of Projects Common Products for the Partner Especially Good Fit for These Disciplines (Majors or Minors) or Types of Courses • Volunteer Management (also called Service Leadership) Volunteer Training Volunteer Handbook Volunteer Retention Analysis Human Resources Strategy Leadership Education Business Civic Engagement • Program (and Organizational) Development Curriculum Development Program Replication Business Plan Any major might apply disciplinary concepts (i. e. , STEM Fields Math Education Business • Communications and Technology Website Social Media Computer Program Marketing Plan Communications/PR Marketing Computer Science Methods courses • Fundraising Grant Research Grant Writing Earned Income Strategy English Nonprofit Management Business Social Entrepreneurism Category of Projects Common Products for the Especially Good Fit for Partner These Disciplines (Majors or Minors) or Types of Courses • Research Applied Research Action Research Community-Based Research Public Policy Research Program Evaluation Oral Histories Needs Assessment Qualitative Study (for community defined need) Quantitative Study (for community defined need) • Creative/Disciplinar Theater Production y Projects Arts Production Journalism Project Community Forum Drama Arts Humanities Journalism Food Justice Communication Studies • Social Action Sociology Political Science Public Policy Social Justice Campaign Policy Recommendation Often great for the Social Sciences: Public Policy Political Science Sociology Psychology Anthropology Social Work Biology
Capacity Building Scenarios Practice Round I am a sophomore Bonner. I just switched my major to public health and my service site to a local clinic. I’m new to the academic content of my newfound passions and the community that I’m serving at my site. I am thinking about working with the clinic and forging a role in capacity building and, eventually, a capstone that addresses one of its needs while also meshing with my academic coursework and learning. What can I do to learn more about the work of the clinic and to identify various projects that I could work on that are needed?
Capacity Building Scenarios Instructions 1) Read your scenario and complete your worksheet (10 minutes) 2) Group up into your scenarios and discuss the best possible solution (10 minutes) 3) Discuss each scenario and each solution with new groups (10 minutes) Consider: • • Your community Your resources Your skills/academics/interests Barriers
Reflection • What did you learn from the activity—either about the scenario itself or how you or other students may approach similar situations at your site? • What skills do you have that align with any of the capacitybuilding categories (See CB Opportunities List)? • What skills would you like to develop for professional growth as well as for your service site?
• Needs Assessment Remembering the practice scenarios and your knowledge of capacity building projects, complete the needs assessment brainstorm worksheet
Needs Assessment is a process by which organizations determine if there is a need for a service, program or product, and if the organization has the capacity and the resources to offer such service.
Conclusion Capacity Building in Our Community Takeaways: • Practiced the skills to problem solve possible capacity building barriers • Learned about capacity building and how it applies to Bonner and partners • Began to brainstorm capacity building projects for your own service site • Set a tentative date to discuss site needs and your ideas with your site supervisor or community members using the Organizational Capacity Building Opportunities worksheet
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