Stakeholders_Influence

Stakeholder Influences University of Phoenix HSM 270 How the Needs & Expectations of Stakeholders Influence a Program Plan The Continental Senior Center’s mission is to provide a balanced, diverse, and coordinated program and promotes the senior center as a model for the aging and aged. Continental Senior Center promotes successful aging. The organization’s tagline, "In the Heart of Things," not only refers to its downtown location, but also emphasizes that the senior center is actively involved in community activities, especially those geared toward seniors. It provides information and referral services for those seeking help with taxes, health, housing, and other concerns; as well as case management services 3 days per week; and computerized information assistance to help seniors and family member’s access available area services. Stakeholders and the influence they have in a program plan as well as administration and staff is alterable and inadequately understood. The definition of a stakeholder is, a corporate stakeholder is a party that can affect or be affected by the actions of the business as a whole. The stakeholder concept was first used in a 1963 internal memorandum at the Stanford Research institute. For instance it is simple to perceive how a major stakeholder can make or break a program’s success via positive supportive or negative reactionary conduct. It is less simple to envision the way in which this level can influence operational program delivery and objectives. At the least the visible end of a stakeholder continuum are hidden stakeholders with little apparent influence, but strong connections that turn innocent power into a real threat or strong support. For example, the influences of a favorite child of a powerful politician on the program planning committee of a local council resides adjacent to where a projected building complex is to be built. This one entity via hidden influence and authority is capable of causing a major disruption to the development if he/she has concerns about its impact on him/her or other residents in the community. Needs & Expectations of the Funder The needs and expectations of the stakeholders must also be taken into consideration when planning a program in the community where they reside. Stakeholders must be given a sense of security that they are endorsing positive changes. Different stakeholder groups have dissimilar interests some in common with other stakeholders and some in conflict. The administration as well as the staff of the Continental Senior Center share the same interest in the success of the program they also share the same stakes that make them vulnerable to be audited by the IRS in order to be eligible for grants. Numerous grants are only offered to programs that are non-profit organizations, which basically means that an organization would need to be registered as a 501(c)3 organizations to apply for various funds. Given that being a private foundation is one of the qualifications to being entitled to 501(c)3 benefits, the Continental Senior Center being a human service agency would qualify for this type of funding. Private foundations are also considered non-operating organizations because they have inactive programs such as the Continental Senior Center. Also, anything that is nonprofit and supports the work of public charities via grants are seen as a private foundation. The administrative staff is required to complete Form 1023, which is a 28 page document that acts as an IRS assessment which audits all proposals of activity as well as all past activity. The administrative staff must also ensure that all parts of the program are for nonprofit, as well as cut ties to any inside beneficiaries or other conflicts of interest, otherwise their status as a nonprofit organization will be denied. The organization and its staff are under very stern regulations when operating a non-profit organization. No activity by the organization will unfairly benefit any one person, and if the organization shuts down, no single individual can inherit any of the corporate assets Identified Funder: Expectations of “This Particular” Funder for My Agency’s Program Evaluation The Institution that is funding the Continental Senior Center is also at stake because they who are evaluating the program to ensure that the organization is worthy of receiving a program grant. They are accountable for ensuring that their beneficiaries are encouraging economic growth in accordance to the foundation’s requirements, as well as determining what class the organization should be positioned in. In Pennsylvania, an ideal example of a funding opportunity is The Andrea Cavitolo Foundation. The mission of the Andrea Cavitolo Foundation is to support children's medical and educational causes, as well as services for the elderly. Founded in 1995 the foundation supports organizations which provide services and resources to vulnerable children, students, and low-income senior citizens. This foundation is a non-profit institution dedicated to the well being and progression of society. Since this stakeholder has the most authority on whether the program is passed or denied, they are significantly extensive in their evaluations of proposals and approval of grants. Previous recipients of grants include • Temple Center for Intergenerational Learning • Multiple Myeloma Research Program • The Shipley School • The Center for Loss and Bereavement • The Support Center for Child Advocates • The Children’s Hospital Foundation • Villanova University School of Law • The National Council on Aging • The Health Federation of Philadelphia • Foundation to Benefit Our Seniors Each stakeholder for the Continental Senior Center contributes to the program. The stakeholders involved in the program plan have one common goal, to develop a program that benefits the enrich the lives of the seniors in the community, also provide a safe environment free from bias. By ensuring that the organization continues to follow their objectives, the program will be successful and receive frequent assistance so they can achieve their goals. References The George Gund Foundation. Nesnadny and Schwartz. Cleveland, New York, Toronto. http://www.gundfdn.org/ Last Accessed on 10/25/09. What is a 501(c) 3' Foundation Group, Inc. 1995-2009 http://www.501c3.org/what-is-a-501c3/ Last accessed on 10/25/09 ----------------------- 2