Welcome

My name is Tess Honan. I am a graduate student in the Master of Nonprofit Leadership Program at Seattle University. This spring, I am doing a research project titled Change, Innovation, and Resilience of Nonprofit Organizations in the Seattle University Youth Initiative Network During the COVID-19 Pandemic. I chose this topic because nonprofit organizations have been operating in crisis mode for most of the pandemic and my research seeks to capture lessons learned, best practices, collaboration, innovation, and resilience. My research aims to understand how nonprofit organizations within the Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI) network pivoted to continue providing services during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

What is the purpose of the study?

I launched this study to capture this historic moment in time of how nonprofits have experienced programmatic change and collaboration. Additionally, this research will offer insight into nonprofit-government relations, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and resilience.

There is ample research available on cross-sections of identities and how folks are experiencing the pandemic, which has shed light on the gross inequities that had already existed but have been exacerbated. Research available suggests that organizations are being asked to do more with less resources and that the financial implications COVID-19 on organizations is devastating.

I am interested in learning more about what resilience looks like, the key lessons learned, and the documentation of COVID-19 within this specific geographic zone.

Who are you interviewing?

For this study, I am surveying and interviewing volunteer coordinators and program coordinators at nonprofit organizations within the SUYI geographic zone. Participation in the study is voluntary.

What is the format of the interviews?

I am inviting you to participate in a 45-minute interview. All interviews will take place remotely via Zoom. You will have the choice to participate in a video call, or to call in by phone.

During our conversation, we will be asking you:

Tell me about your work. How has it changed over the past year?
How, if any, has your organization made strategic changes in response to COVID-19?
What has been the biggest barrier that has emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Tell me about a new partnership that your organization has built in the last year.
Before the pandemic, how were you gathering and engaging constituent input? Over the past year how has that changed?
If you could go back in time to March of 2020, what advice would you give to your organization to prepare for the changes required by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Was there anything you wish I had asked? Any lingering thoughts?

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, or desirable or undesirable answers. We would like you to feel comfortable telling us what you really think.

How do I sign up?

You can complete the survey using this link: https://seattleux.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eexvP5ZZbA40y22

You can sign up for an interview using this link: https://calendly.com/d/mm3r-gbbn/interview

I look forward to our conversation.

How will you ensure privacy during the study?

All of the information you provide will be kept confidential and your name will not be used in any public dissemination of the data I collect.

This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Seattle University, and is guided by the principles outlined by the IRB for the protection of human subjects.

You can read more information and access the informed consent form here.

What will you do with the information you gather?

I will be writing up the results of the study and presenting the results at the MNPL Capstone Festival on Saturday, June 5. I believe that this research will provide greater understanding of this historic moment in time of how nonprofits have experienced programmatic change and collaboration. Additionally, this research will offer insight into nonprofit-government relations, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and resilience.

I will also share the results of our research with you and the other participants. My hope is that the results are useful to you as you plan your future work.

For more information:

I can be reached by email at honant@seattleu.edu. If you would like more information about the MNPL capstone projects, you can also contact Professor Feit at feitm@seattleu.edu.

Thank you

I know that your time is valuable and I am grateful for your willingness to share your experiences and insights with me.