Examining the role of cognitive dissonance in crisis fundraising

Fundraising scholarship has focused on the application of public relations theory to the process particularly in exploring the predictive power in applying relationship management theory to the non-profit organization–donor relationship. However, people often are impacted by catastrophic events and want to donate to relief efforts even though they may not be connected to the region. A survey of two American Red Cross chapters’ donors revealed that individuals who contributed to the December 2004 tsunami relief efforts were more likely to experience feelings of cognitive dissonance than non-donors, and their donations resulted in a consonance restoration. These results support an argument for non-profits, particularly those in crisis response, to have an active crisis communication plan in place that deals not only with responding to the event but also having a proactive plan established to publicize how to donate to relief efforts. Highlighting the consonance restoration, non-profits should also discuss the positive aspects of donating to their efforts, such as the work being done for the disaster victims.     

NGOs, Global Governance and the UN: NGOs as “Guardians of the Reform of the International System”

The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the United Nations (UN), as well as in world politics in general, is increasingly gaining the attention of scholars of international law, political science and social anthropology. Using extensive earlier research on NGO-UN relations and on the concept of global governance, it is concluded that although NGOs are becoming increasingly influential actors on the international arena, several problems impede their influence from growing within the UN. Once the inefficiencies of NGOs participation in United Nations’ bodies and institutions have been described, we propose some modalities of reform of this Organization, with the purpose of improving the involvement of world civil society in UN decision-making processes, and increasing its democratic profile. Finally, the study suggests several areas that require future research and more in-depth study in order to make predictions about how NGO-UN relations will evolve in the coming decades.

社会性别化的风险、经历与反应——对美国妇女与艾滋病的探讨

艾滋病目前已成为美国一个严重的社会问题和大众健康问题。妇女从 2 0世纪 80年代在边缘徘徊 ,到 90年代已陷入了该危机的“震中”。本文将从女权主义的视野来审视这场社会性别化的传染病 ,即把社会性别当作主要变量来考察它同种族、族裔、阶级、性取向以及文化等诸因素的交叉互动 ,并从纷繁复杂的艾滋病现象和文献中梳理出妇女与艾滋病关系上的社会性别差异。文章最后将提出若干可资借鉴并值得我们警觉的建议     

中国高校是非营利组织

中国高校具有“传授知识、培养人才,开展科学研究、实施科技创新,应用知识、服务社会”三大功能,这些功能具有显著的公益性、非营利性和志愿者参与性特征。中国高校无论是在组织目标、组织管理(包括学术性管理、行政性管理和校董会),还是在经济管理诸方面都充分显示了其组织性、民间自治性和非营利性特征。《中华人民共和国教育法》和《中华人民共和国高等教育法》从高等学校的设立条件、任务、职能、办学自主权和经费分担体制等方面,进一步明确规定了我国高校的非营利性、公益性、组织性和民间自治性。由此得出结论,中国高等学校是非营利组织。     

试论我国民间组织兴起的社会根源

20世纪90年代以来,我国民间组织在现代公民社会得以蓬勃兴起,在政治、经济和社会生活领域产生了重大影响,发挥着巨大作用。民间组织的产生和发展,主要根源于我国慈善传统源远流长、社会主义市场经济健康发展、政府体制改革深入推进和社会中产阶级逐步形成等因素。     

提高基层党组织建设社会主义新农村能力的思考

要完成建设社会主义新农村的重大历史任务,关键是要提高基层党组织领导农村经济社会发展的能力。如此,必须完善乡村党的领导制度,提高乡村干部的素质和能力;调整农村基层党组织设置,充分发挥党组织功能;积极注入新鲜血液,壮大农村党员队伍;改善对农村自治和民间组织的领导,扩大党的影响的覆盖面;充分尊重农民的主体地位,保持新农村建设的可持续发展。     

维护校园稳定共建和谐校园——论党团组织在预防大学生被害中的作用

构建和谐校园是全面建设社会主义和谐社会的重要组成部分，是落实党的十七大精神和科学发展观的必然要求，也是现代大学孜孜以求的理想。在深入学习实践科学发展观活动中，认真研究构建和谐’社会特别是结合高校实际研究和谐校园建设问题，显得十分迫切和重要。     

“It Depends on How You Define Integrated”: Neighborhood Boundaries and Racial Integration in a Baltimore Neighborhood1

There are a significant number of racially integrated neighborhoods in the United States, many of which have been stable over time. However, very little is known about the characteristics of these neighborhoods and of the residents who live in them. With data taken from a larger study of an integrated neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, this article discusses homeowners’ perceptions of their community and racial integration. Fifty semi‐structured interviews were completed with 67 homeowners to investigate their perceptions and experiences of race, class, and change in their community. This study shows that statistical racial integration and perceptions of racial integration are two different factors. Residents define true racial integration as both residential and social. As a result, homeowners reported that their neighborhood is both segregated and integrated—a type of “qualified” integration. Perceptions of racial integration are also affected by inconsistently defined neighborhood boundaries and racial clustering, block by block.     

Engaging stakeholders through social networking: How nonprofit organizations are using Facebook

Since social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, began allowing organizations to create profiles and become active members, organizations have started incorporating these strategies into their public relations programming. For-profit organizations have used these sites to help launch products and strengthen their existing brands; however, little is known about how nonprofit organizations are taking advantage of the social networking popularity. Through a content analysis of 275 nonprofit organization profiles on Facebook, this study examines how these new social networking sites are being used by the organizations to advance their organization's mission and programs. Solely having a profile will not in itself increase awareness or trigger an influx of participation. Instead careful planning and research will greatly benefit nonprofits as they attempt to develop social networking relationships with their stakeholders.     

Organizational Sustainability and Systemic Boundary Processes

Abstract

Every day, managers work to sustain the organizations wherein they work. In this article, the authors examine certain systemic boundary processes that are intrinsic to organizations and their sustainability. For readers of this journal, whose name points to the inherent connection between organizations and society, the authors present an argument that organizational boundary processes and their influence on organizational sustainability are important considerations for those of us interested in a viable future for our society. The importance of these processes for managers also is indicated.