The class is the first step in a process to develop a nonprofit management certificate program, and ultimately a master's level degree program.
It is also an example of a community education institution responding to a community need.... in this case, the difficulty nonprofit employers are experiencing in hiring competent staff, paired with the realization that the sector employs 10% or more of the local workforce, and there is no relevant training available locally. Look around and add to that the average age of nonprofit leadership in our area, and it will become obvious that we'll need to prepare the next generation for the sector.
Fortunately, there are hundreds of nonprofit management degree programs all over the country, and we don't have to reinvent the wheel. As I am putting together the curriculum, however, I would like to hear from NM nonprofit workers, employers, volunteers, and board members which specific skills and knowledge areas they'd like to see covered. Please submit comments to this post. I will post more details on the curriculum shortly.
PS: The class will meet on Tuesdays from 5:30-8:15 p.m. , Silver City campus, starting January 12th, 2010.
