Center for Policy Studies Update
It has been a busy summer and fall for the College of Public Policy’s nonprofit programs. The continuing education Nonprofit Management Certificate Program began its 2008-2009 year with a new design. This new format has succeeded in reaching and bringing in 54 participants, including for-profit professionals hoping to make the transition to the nonprofit sector, new nonprofit leaders, and board members. In addition, the program has brought in nonprofit professionals from McAllen, Laredo, and Harlingen.
The program kicked off the year with the Summer Institute on Leadership and Stewardship (SILS) on August 7 and 8, and will continue throughout the year until April. For more information, contact Teresa Pena at 210-458-2546.
The academic nonprofit certificate program, American Humanics, continues to grow with increased outreach, marketing and information sessions. This year, the program has 45 members, including 5 graduate students, pursuing studies in nonprofit management. Internship opportunities for students have been expanding and one student is spending her fall semester as an intern with the William J. Clinton Foundation in Boston working on HIV/AIDS issues.
Every year, American Humanics students must attend the American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI), a “nonprofit bootcamp” of intensive training in areas essential to the development of nonprofit leadership. This year, 16 students have signed up to attend AHMI on January 4-7, 2009, at Indiana University’s School of Philanthropy in Indianapolis. Students will spend the next few months raising money from the program’s network of nonprofit leaders to help offset the costs of attending.
On September 27, the American Humanics Program partnered with City Year San Antonio to plan and host the “Action Generation Service Summit,” a day of action as part of a national effort to increase awareness among youth about the importance of serving the community. The event, which included a rally, ten service projects in Downtown San Antonio, a volunteer fair and a concert, drew more than 300 volunteers and 70 nonprofits. The band Dog Men Poets played in the afternoon and Texas State Representative Mike Villarreal spoke on issues of importance to the San Antonio community. Firstmark Credit Union, Valero Energy and Saturn sponsored the event.
Submitted by Francesca D. Rattray, Senior Program Coordinator,
Center for Policy Studies
501 West Durango Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78207 PH (210) 458-2530 FAX (210) 458-2431