PROGRAM INFORMATION

State of Maryland Nonprofits in a Slow Economy

In a recent Johns Hopkins study, employment in the nonprofit sector seemed to be going strong and even growing. Peter Berns of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations talks to Jeff about employment opportunities and the state of nonprofits in the down economy. The Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations is a training, consultancy and lobbying clearing house for the state's enormous number (about 1,600) of nonprofits. Berns' unique management style of nonprofits has earned him a reputation nationwide. The Standards of Excellence serve to help nonprofits thrive and keep them out of trouble.

Peter Berns
Executive Director
Maryland Association of Non Profits
Maryland Association of Nonprofits

Smith Business Close-Up:
Africa Trip for MBAs

It was an undeniably powerful experience for two Smith MBAs—a trip to Africa to install solar panels in a rural community center, then watching children crowd under the electric lights to read. In this edition of Smith Business Close-Up with the University of Marylandýs Robert H. Smith School of Business, Jason Lee, a student finishing up his first year of Smithýs full-time MBA program, talks about his work on a business project that recently took him and another Smith student to a remote village in Africa. In January, the Smith students joined a group from the University of Marylandýs chapter of Engineers without Borders to travel to Dissin, Burkina Faso. They installed 11 solar powered lighting systems in a local community center to provide access to an efficient, safe lighting source. Now the group is hoping to win a World Bank-sponsored grant competition to set up solar power systems in villages that would make some villagers into entrepreneurial power suppliers for their neighbors.

Jason Lee
MBA Student
Robert H. Smith School of Business

Baltimore Sun Extra:
Rights bill pondered for users of credit cards

Credit cards are diabolically convenient. Having a card means you don't always have to carry cash. You can zip through payment without delay. You are relatively protected from fraud. And, should a transaction go awry, your chances of getting your money back are greater if you pay with plastic. But you're paying a high price for that convenience.

Dan Thanh Dang
Reporter, Baltimore Sun
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Made in Maryland: Phoenix Air Ads

There are several ways to communicate your message to a target audience. Most companies use traditional routes such as TV, radio and print. But as Yolanda Vazquez discovers there's another, more cost-effective way, to help your advertising campaign take off.

Cathy Gathmann
Co-Owner,
Phoenix Air Ads
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