NGO Education Survey

Career and Portfolio Development

This subject assists students to review learning and plan career paths for themselves and for the people they manage and supervise. It provides the theoretical and practical frameworks for students to integrate their credentialed and uncredentialed learning into a cohesive portfolio that positions them optimally for career choices in the sector. It enables students to identify gaps in their repertoire of knowledge and skills, which can then be addressed within the industry-training program.

Developing Financial Resources

This subject introduces the variety of revenue sources utilised by third sector organisations and the variety of methods that are used to tap these resources. Particular attention is given to fund raising from individuals and companies, but the major emphasis is on effectively managing and developing the variety of revenue sources in the context of the organisation's environment and in accord with the organisation's mission.

Grassroots Organizing for Global Change

Within a context of globalisation, this subject critically appraises the diverse contributions an emerging global civil society in general, and non-government organisations (NGOs) in particular, make towards personal and societal global transformation. The connection of principles drawn from social and political theory such as participatory decision making and empowerment, to the practices of international NGOs, intermediate NGOs and Peoples' Organisations towards a 'grassroots' or 'bottom up' transformation are discussed. Students have an opportunity to explore these links and specialise in micro-skills development in specific areas such as program development and advocacy in assignment work.

Human Resources in the Third Sector

This subject examines the prerequisites of good management, i.e. the management of basic human and material resources. It focuses on those features and issues of human resource management (HRM) that are distinctive of community or non-profit organisations, including the nature of the labour market, the use of volunteers, and the issues of leadership, control, and best practice.

Leadership, Coaching and Mentoring

This subject emphasises understanding the role of the manager as leader, decision maker and change agent. Topics include the manager's role; transformational/transactional leadership; rational and incremental decision making; decision-making alternative strategies; situational characteristics of decision making; creativity and problem solving; transactional analysis; the rational-emotive approach; the Gestalt approach; and dealing with interpersonal conflict.

Legal Issues for Community Managers

Topics covered in this subject include: introduction to the legal system; constitutional aspects; the nature of legal rules; the legislative framework for actions against public or community managers (e.g. tort, contract); particular aspects of law relating to public employment; the employment of professionals; aspects of the law concerning legal forms available for community organisations; and the responsibilities of boards of managers and trustees.

Managing Community Organizations

This subject provides an introduction to the field of community management. It develops a critical appreciation of management practices and organisational forms within the community sector, evaluates the application of different models of management, and explores key issues such as governance and accountability.

Research Project (Public/Community)

In this subject, students apply their knowledge and research skills to the in-depth study of a specific topic. This occurs through a search of the literature, and either an applied consultancy project, or a small-scale empirical research project. A research report is produced which reviews the topic, presents the findings and evaluates the implications of those findings.

Resource Management -Nonprofit

This subject provides a foundation knowledge of resource management in community (non-profit) organisations. It provides the opportunity to develop basic skills and knowledge of accounting and finance, but also critically analyses the issues that arise from applying conventional financial management control to a non-profit, voluntary organisation. Topics include costing, budgeting, and the preparation and analysis of financial statements.

Social and Community Research

This subject introduces the theory and methods of social research as applied within the community sector. It explores research as a problem-solving and political tool, critically examines both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and introduces the basis of statistical analysis (using SPSS). It provides a basis of understanding for those who manage or use research projects, and provides a necessary basis for those undertaking their own research.

Strategic Issues in Community Management

This subject introduces students to strategic management in community (nonprofit) organisations and provides the opportunity for students to reflect on, extend, and integrate their knowledge of community management gained from preceding subjects in the course. It also explores critical issues currently impacting on the sector, and appropriate strategic responses to those issues and encourages a strategic perspective on the management of organisations and an ability to apply that perspective within community organisations.

Third Sector: Theory and Context

This subject introduces some of the ways of thinking about the third sector and the community sector within it. Students study a growing body of knowledge about the third sector, its origins, dimensions and contribution to society, the economy and polity of Australia and selected other countries. It also introduces ways of thinking about the dynamic interaction between third sector organisations and the social, economic and political systems in which they are embedded.

Volunteering: Social and Organizational Perspectives

The level of volunteering in a society is a sign of its well being, and third sector organisations are the main beneficiaries of volunteering. This subject provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the social phenomena of volunteering and the use of volunteers by third sector and public organisations. This is an elective subject and is taught only if sufficient interest is expressed.