Post 7: Advocacy & Arts

Well, I’m looking at the reading load for this week, two textbook chapters and five articles, I will only be able to discuss each reading briefly. I’ll try to keep it to 150 words per article, but I apologize if that doesn’t happen.

Chapter 7: Advocacy
I’ve sort of been waiting to discuss this topic for a while because as Brian O’Connell, founding president of Independent Sector, states, advocacy is “the quintessential function of the voluntary sector” (O’Neill 135). The comparison to David and Goliath is quite apt. I’ve been trying to focus on funding sources for different non-profit subsectors, so I found Table 7.4 on page 139 interesting. Advocacy relies heavily on private donations rather grants or service fees, which is practically the opposite of health care non-profits. Advocacy is unlike other non-profit sectors, such as health care, education, international assistance, or social service, in that it has “few ties to business and government and often targets both” (O’Neill 149). I guess you could say that advocacy groups stem from democracy, particularly the inefficiencies of democracy, as our nation becomes more populated and more difficult to govern.

The Non-Profit Sectors Proud Tradition of Serving America
“Americans of all ages, all conditions, and all dispositions constantly for associations … religious, moral, serious, futile, very general, and very particular, immensely large and very minute.” – Alexis de Toqueville (1840)
I guess I never quite realized the scope of advocacy in America, but it really has played a large part in our history. The National Grange. The National American Woman’s Suffrage Association. League of Women Voters. Townsend Clubs. NCAACP. Americans love democracy, we love being part of something bigger than ourselves, and we love having our voices be heard…sometimes we probably love it too much. Nonetheless I’m glad that I live in a country that embraces freedom and choice. I don’t know if our system of nonprofit advocacy is the most efficient system, but at least we have a system to work with.

Senate Bill 40 & Endorsement from Nonprofit Association of Oregon
Introduced on January 10, 2001 by Oregon’s Attorney General, Oregon Senate Bill 40 targets nonprofits that routinely use most of the funds they collect for fundraising, rather than for programs benefiting the community. After initial deliberations the Nonprofit Association of Oregon has decided to endorse the bill, which I’m happy to see. It’s doubt that it was an easy decision supporting a bill that might accuse nonprofits of poor practice, but it’s for the greater good and that’s what nonprofits are all about anyways. Plus, as it state on their website, the Nonprofit Association of Oregon has not seen this as a widespread problem in Oregon, so the enactment of this bill shouldn’t cause too much drama. It does make me wonder if there are any such governmental regulations on the private sector. Obviously not all private business operate with mission of providing a service to the community, but something has to be done about excessive money spent on advertising. Maybe there should be a bill that says private corporations must match every dollar spent on advertising with donations to nonprofit or charity organizations.

Sierra Club Newsletter
On the topic of advocacy, I regularly receive emails and newsletters from the Sierra Club about news in the environmental policy and advocacy world, and I wanted to share one such email with you all. The website below is one example of how the Sierra Club reaches out to its huge membership base to protect the American environment. I hope this serves as a good example of how a large environmental advocacy group can help shape the future of America.

http://action.sierraclub.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=197521.0&dlv_id=169642


Chapter 8: Arts & Culture
The most interesting part of this chapter for me was reading that, “art is generally indentified with nonprofits and entertainment with for-profits” (O’Neill 152). That generalization probably isn’t true in all facets of the sector, but it makes complete sense. I’ve never known of any museums trying to increase their profit margins. The only expensive entry fees at a museum are usually only for special exhibits that have transportation costs that need to be accounted for. All other operational costs for museums are very static from month to month, which makes life easy for who ever is running the place. The entertainment business, see I can’t even say “entertainment” without added “business” at the end, on the other hand is way more interested in making money. Sure, Hollywood hot shots enter the business to express their creativity, but the people funding their work couldn’t care less what the content of the movie is as long as they don’t go bankrupt after its all over.

Art Groups Pumped $166.2 Billion into US in 2005, Study Says
I wasn’t aware that anyone was arguing that, “spending on arts and culture comes at the expense of economic development.” That sounds like a very American, capitalistic argument that has very little actual merit. Since when have art and economic development even been discussed in the same context as one another. Can’t we just let artists be artists and let anyone who wants to experience some culture do so without wondering how much profit could be made if a building were being used as a factory rather than a museum. Frankly, this article frustrates me.


Poetry Gives Teens Voice
This article sort of returns to our discussion of educational nonprofits, but it’s also a great example of why art and culture shouldn’t be compromised by desires for economic development. I would argue actually argue that economic development is one of the least important things that our nation needs right now, yet we feel that creating jobs will solve all of our problems. What about developing starter students or developing a greater appreciation for community? What about developing a love for the arts? I’ve always wanted to attend a poetry slam; from what I hear they’re incredible. It’s awesome that teachers are encouraging their students to express themselves via poetry. I loved the quote from one of the student’s mentors, Tia Mitchell, who said that she advises the students to “feel every emotion from anxiety to excitement” when performing on stage. That’s awesome!!