This week is going to be action-filled in the best possible way…another academic conference! From November 18 to 21 several of the Third Sector Network’s contributors will be in Cleveland for the 39th Annual Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Conference. I am very much looking forward to the conference because I always come away with an immense flood of new information. I love the multidisciplinary aspect of the conference; it is simply amazing to see so many people from different parts of the world and in various fields converge in one place for a few days to discuss their common (and sometimes not-so-common) research themes.
The theme for this year’s conference is Philanthropy in Communities: Finding Opportunity in Crisis. It is relevant and timely,
and I am really excited to see the research that will be presented. I will be presenting two papers: the first is on managerial perceptions of innovation value in public and nonprofit organizations, and the second will be a case study of the now defunct Arizona 2-1-1 Online program. I’m also excited to be participating in a colloquium entitled “Does Real Action Happen Online?” I’m very eager to hear my colleagues’ response to what I view as a question of ever-increasing importance.
In addition to presenting my research, Lindsey McDougle and I will also be helping with the social media coverage of the conference. I’ll post a few updates on my blog and here at thirdsectornetwork.org. Also joining me in the social media coverage are:
- Debra Beck (laramieboardlearningproject.blogspot.com)
- Heather Carpenter (nonprofitleadership601.blogspot.com)
- Graham Dover (www.inov8.ca & www.si2.ca)
- and guest bloggers Taylor Peyton Roberts, Alice Walker and Debra Weiner
So, even if you can’t join us in Cleveland, we hope you’ll join us online!
John C. Ronquillo
Sondra Barringer
Jasmine McGinnis
Erica Coslor
Steve Eastwood
January 30, 2010
I’d be very interested to know the details of the case study of Arizona 2-1-1 since I was involved in its operation. It would be fascinating to know how that project is perceived now that it’s gone. Was this case study published anywhere?
John C. Ronquillo
January 31, 2010
Steve, the case study should be completed by the February and I would be happy to send you a draft of our paper. My co-author and I are hoping to follow-up on some aspects, and one of them is whether or not it left a void once it was closed. The interviews I conducted (10) revealed some interesting things, but most obviously, that nobody was on the same page, and that any measures of accountability were clearly lacking. Also, most people didn’t think it would be dismantled at the hand of politics, but having worked around the legislature for a number of years, I knew that it was definitely a possibility. I think JLBC putting 2-1-1 forth as a savings mechanism in the Chairman’s Options recommendations that they released was the last nail that was eventually hammered into the coffin.