The Complexities Faced by Public Administrators

The purpose of a nonprofit organization is clear. Itmanaged over $80,000 and another $200,000
is a self governing entity established to attend thepending. As I interviewed Amy she talked about
needs of the less fortunate. Although establishedthe moment things went bad.
as corporations, the aim of nonprofit organizations"I remember sifting through our usual stack of
is not the same as its counterpart the for-profitcredit card offers, and bills to find a letter
corporation. Revenue generated throughaddressed to our organization in regards to a
nonprofits is used for the benefit of its purposeprogram we were no longer affiliated with. At
and mission to the public. Local and federalleast that is what I was told six months ago. The
government systems rely heavily on nonprofitletter read, 'Dear Family Center, we would like to
entities to provide service to constituents theythank you for resubmitting the Departmental
are unable to assist. To ensure the quality of lifeServices Grant..., a copy of your written proposal
of the American public government organizationsis attached.' Confused I flipped through the
stream funding sources to nonprofits nationwideproposal to find that the Motherhood program,
through large sums of money in the form ofthat we were not affiliated with, had 500,000 in
grants. Nonprofits who agree to accept the grantgrant funds. This letter was also signed --
also agree to strict government regulations tosupposedly by ME! I sat staring at the application
ensure accountability. The ambiguity of thisdated and signed by me two months before I
relationship opens a window of challenges facedwas hired." Amy stated that she was told that
by the majority of public administrators today.the Departmental Services grant was managed
The social application of justice is defined as,by their new Executive Director for the Phoenix
"individually the moral issues having to deal withHome for Girls. She was also advised that the
goods or property" Stanford Encyclopedia ofboard of directors who were all new and elected
Philosophy (2002). In regards to nonprofits thistwo weeks before her hire date were not
requires the Founding officer and/or Chiefaffiliated with the Phoenix Home for Girls or their
Executive to refrain from such actions as stealing,funds. After questioning the oldest member she
fabricating documents and lying to sustain itsfound before her position with the organization
status with the funding agency. As stated bythere was a huge controversy within the group
William Frankena, this account of justice seemshome. The funds were mismanaged and the
circular and ungrounded, because if one's justorganization threw their hands up of the entire
deserts depend on how virtuous one is and it issituation. The previous director was to cancel the
also defined by individual motivation and purpose.grant in the organization's name and turn it over
For example, individual motivation to continueto the home. Amy now knew that this was not
service to hundreds of constituents may lead himthe case. To keep the program going the
or her to fabricate what they conclude asprevious director forged her name on the grant
miniscule information such as; allocating funds towhich held the organization responsible. She also
reinforcement incentives for a youth advocacyfound that the money issue was worse than
program when it is not warranted in the solicitedanyone could imagine. They were in debt because
grant proposal. The Executive in this case is ableof mismanaged over $30,000. Intrigued by her
to increase youth participation which allows him orresponse I asked Amy how she handled the
her to deliver a much needed best practice whichsituation.
in turn increases the grade point average program"I had to call a special board meeting," she said
recipients. Whereas, another Executive maysolemnly. "Reluctantly members resolved to have
constitute no moral need to fabricate suchall aspects of the home come through me.
information and is willing to vacate the entireFinances, reports, everything would have to be
program to maintain integrity. In either result theapproved. The next few months were tough. The
ambiguity that lies within the governmentPhoenix home budget was cut drastically and to
accountability supersede the value of the programmy surprise the staff rebelled. I was alone and
to its local community. To sanction such actsthe silent resistance went turned from icy stares
would increase social equity challenges nationwide.to withholding company checks. Managing forty
According to the National Academy of Publicemployees and over a half a million dollar budget I
Administration (2005) social equity is; the fair, justworked fourteen hour days. With little experience
and equitable management of all institutionsand no advisement I felt physically alone. The
serving the public directly or by contract. Similardizzy spells, which I found later were panic
to social justice, social equity focuses on theattacks, grew frequent. For the first time in my
moral liability, yet it enhances its meaning bylife I thought God had abandoned me. I lost hope
centralizing its focus on the institution as a whole.and if there were mistakes to be made, I began
Although, key Executives are spotlighted inmaking them."
current events, social equity entails overallThe complexity of this situation is apparent.
governance of a nonprofit organization's policies,Although, the group home problem did not begin
procedures, and standards. Whereas social justicewith Amy, it caused a domino effect on the new
focuses on individual respect of assets andprograms the community approved of. Social
property, social equity accompanies anequity of the nonprofit was compromised when
organization's relationship with the distribution offunds from the newly developed programs were
services and/or property to its constituents. On aused to balance the budget of the diminishing
national level the United States governmentgroup home. The board was under scrutiny due
continues to face challenges in this area. "US:to several missing documents and unreported
Protect Women Fleeing Violence", an articlefunds from the past three years. No matter what
written on December 10, 2008 by Human Rightsdecision the poor executive made, the nonprofit
Watch.org, is one example of a social equitycould not be saved.
challenge. The article illustrates the United StatesThis case although extreme is a perfect example
asylum policy falls short of protecting womenof the complexities faced by executives in the
fleeing abusive relationships whose ownfield. One must ask the question, how do we as
governments have already failed to protect them.Public Administrator's combat the challenges
Another example provided in the Nationalcaused by the ignorance of others in the
Academy of Public Administration's (2005) states;profession? How can we ensure that executives
in 2000, three out of four of offsite commercialare properly trained on the importance of
hazardous waste landfills in EPA Region IV werecompliance and collaboration between peers and
located in predominately African Americanthe community? With the ambiguity between
Communities. Although, the previous examplesgovernment compliance of nonprofit organizations
give us an understanding of the concept of socialas opposed to its for-profit counterpart social and
justice and social equity, we cannot fathom theethical challenges are bound to occur. As we
complexity of this issue as it is dealt with currentcontinue to research ways to unify education for
Executives in the field of Public Administration. Toadministrators, we also continue to struggle with
further examine this concept we will analyze thechallenges within the profession.
case of an actual nonprofit executive as theyReferences
faced ethical challenges.National Academy of Public Administration's
We will refer to the nonprofit executive as Amyresearch committee, Standing Panel on Social
for confidentiality purposes. Amy began herEquity in
endeavors like most, with a dream to change theGovernance. Sounding the Call to the Public
world. Armed with a grant writing book, andAdministration Community: The Social Equity
ambition the infamous trial by error methodChallenges in the U.S. (2005).
successfully led her in circles. Like most my heartSlote, Michael. (2002). Justice as a Virtue. Stanford
was in the right place, but with little knowledgeEncyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved February 8,
mistakes were inevitable. Her only experience2009, from plato.stanford.edu/entries
involved a few unfunded grants and twojustice-virtue/
approved 501(c)(3) applications.Frankena, William. (1973) Ethics, 2nd edit:
In the beginning things were great for Amy. WithPrincetice-Hall.
no programs in existence upon hire she I wasRhoad, Meghan.
thrilled when in less than a year her organization