kylapull-blog

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3 Roles of Nonprofits

Once nonprofits emerge they have goals that they will be trying to achieve, in order to accomplish the goals and aspirations of nonprofits or organizations they need to follow their roles. Typically nonprofit organizations will follow three important roles. First representation, this is named one of the three roles because of how important representation is. If an organization has good representation and it is catered to a certain group of people it will be more successful. For instance, in water nonprofits representing those in need will make the agenda more successful. Next organizations need to have mobilization, in order for the plans of organizations to take off there needs to be a way for nonprofits to assemble and achieve their goals. Lastly one of the most important roles nonprofit has is education. To achieve their goals, organizations need education. This can be giving out education to the public, which in the end will make their organization accepted to be necessary and supported. 

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Collective Action Theory

Collective action theory is when groups or organizations come forward when there is a demand for action in a particular area. There are many policy areas where this applies, typically it can be seen directly interacting with the public. Many policy areas or nonprofit organizations form when there is a demand for it. This demand can be for any number of things, and countless groups or organizations may appear because they want to meet the demand. In water policy areas this can be seen frequently with all the different types of organizations and groups that are made to help with the policy area. These groups can have many different goals such as protecting sources, pollution, distribution, and much more. The collective action theory can be used to cover a wide variety of things groups and organizations find to be a demand. One of the many things these groups will have in common is that they all came from a demand or desire from a large group.

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Why do so many non-profits choose water policy areas?

Why do so many non-profits choose water policy areas? This is because water is a source that creates charities and demand across the world, and it hits three major points for what nonprofits need to show in order to be successful. The first thing that is necessary for non-profits is to have an identifiable victim, and this can be seen in charity and nonprofit campaigns when individuals struggling to survive without water are posted on billboards and ads. This gets the audience sympathetic and encourages them to help the cause. Another important point that nonprofits need to hit is having a need for this on a large scale. In this case, water is a vital source that is always in need, so this has a large scale with a large audience since everyone needs water and clean water sources. Lastly, it is important that a charity or nonprofit can gain tractability easily with their topic. Since water and resources are already known to be necessary to live it has tractability, and this is important because the cause is now spread and viewed in a good light. These things have made water policymakers extremely successful.

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Effective Altruism

Effective altruism is considered to be controversial to some because of its nature to find the best possible impacts based on values. This is not considered entirely moral to some because it determines the value of certain things based upon the impact it may have. This philosophy and movement may not turn out in everyone’s favor for every situation, but in the case of water policy, it is extremely effective since water is a necessity to living. This means that it is a high priority and has a high value. The philosophy and social movement of effective altruism are used for many charity-driven organizations such as GiveWell, which prioritizes certain charities over others. On their list of standout charities, water sourcing organizations make the cut. This is because of the great importance and value of water has. Since effective altruism is essentially measuring the “good” or “importance” of a subject, it places values in places some may not agree with, but it is indisputable that water is absolutely necessary and the philosophy made no mistakes when expressing the high value of water.

“GiveWell.” Effective Altruism, app.effectivealtruism.org/funds/partners/givewell.

https://app.effectivealtruism.org/funds/partners/givewell

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Nonprofit and civil society organizations contributing to the social fabric of America

Nonprofit organizations are created and funded by society for society. When a community realizes that there are needs that are not being met by administrators many take to a nonprofit organization that aims to help people in need.  These organizations contribute to the wellbeing of society and the social fabric of America. In America, there are many organizations that contribute to bettering society, and this comes through many different things like childcare, soup kitchens, hospitals, and so much more. Water sources have always been important to keep up with to make sure they are reliable, so society runs smoothly. Water nonprofits stem from so many different areas, this is almost always coming back to those who are deprived of it or the ocean. These sources are extremely important and are so intertwined with American society that if further damage is caused to the ocean it will become an even larger issue because of the abundant resources it supplies. Without water, sources society falls apart when these resources are protected and this is why it is so important that there are nonprofits that protect these things.

Writegoodco@gmail.com. “Nonprofit Wednesday: West Virginia Water Crisis Anniversary.” Grant Writing Made Easy, 3 Apr. 2018, www.writegoodco.com/nonprofit-wednesday-west-virginia-water-crisis-anniversary/.

https://www.writegoodco.com/nonprofit-wednesday-west-virginia-water-crisis-anniversary/

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Just Water

Just Water is one of the many organizations that help to create a more sustainable way to consume and transport water. This organization was founded in 2015, buy Jaden Smith with the help of his parents. Just Water creates reusable packaged water bottle bottles made of 82% recycled material, so when you purchase and finish this product you can reuse the container saving yourself from making more waste. This company was founded to help decrease the amount of waste that is made by many people, and it achieves this by offering their alternative water bottle which can be reused and recycled easier than large competitors like Nestle. There are many forward-thinking companies like Just Water, and they slowly are making an impact on our carbon footprint. Along with being reusable, Just Water cartons are certified organic, rainforest friendly, recyclables, and FSC certified. This organization is not only is completely environmentally sustainable, but it is also fair and treats each customer and employee with respect and fair prices and wages.

https://www.shopjustwater.com/

“Better For Everyone®.” JUST WATER, justwater.com/.

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Charity: Water

There are so many different types of charities and nonprofit organizations that help provide water to those who don't have access to it. One organization that is helping all around the world is Charity: Water. This nonprofit partners with local organizations around the world to provide long-lasting water resources and sanitation services. These organizations partnered with Charity: Water are community-based, therefore, they are focused on smaller areas at a time to bring clean water to those in need. There are so many different types of nonprofits that cover a multitude of different areas but water is heavily focused on by many. Charity: Water has realized that water is one of the most necessary things for a thriving society. May areas cannot further develop without water, and there are 633 million people in the world who live without it. Access to clean water means that communities will then have access to better education, income, and health. Clean and dependable water sources are vital to a thriving society., and this organization helps provide that necessity.

https://www.charitywater.org/our-approach/local-partners/

“Why Water - Impact of the Global Water Crisis: Charity: Water.” Charity, www.charitywater.org/global-water-crisis.

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Nonprofits in Water Policy

Water policy is almost always controlled by the government, the government decides the standards of what is and isn't reliable for the people. When the people view the standards the government has set as unfit, they will take to organizations outside the government, such as non-profits. There are so many different non-profit organizations that surround water, and they can cover areas such as local water supplies, oceans, or even trying to find better sources for people in a completely different part of the world. These charities and non-profits can be helpful for all sorts of different people, many of the non-profits target those who do not have any other way of getting safe drinking water but an outside organization. Non-profits like “Blood: Water” or “Drop in the Bucket” are some of the nonprofits that specifically try to improve health in areas of Africa. Many of the organizations that are trying to make water more reliable have targeted a specific group of people or areas, these can be seen all over the world. Water sources are extremely important to live and are the indicators of a successful society, and these organizations help those in need to access it. 

https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/nonprofits-fighting-global-water-crisis/

Ibrisevic, Ilma. “Top 10 Nonprofits Fighting the Global Water Crisis - Donorbox.” Nonprofit Blog, 21 June 2019, donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/nonprofits-fighting-global-water-crisis/.

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Water Sources Reliability/Whistleblowers

Water quality is incredibly important and it is also important that the standards water sources are reliable and honest. There are many policies that ensure that water quality is up to par, this includes but is not limited to the Safe Water Drinking Act, The Clean Water Act, Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy. These policies are what keep our water sources reliable and sustainable. There are many ways that these policies came to be, and it has a lot to do with individuals and groups standing up for their rights to clean water. Many have to go through long processes of passing laws, or just getting their voices heard through protests. Another reason many issues of quality are brought up is through the exposure of wrongdoing. When something is exposed, such as dangers in water sources, it can be considered whistleblowing. It is controversial to be a “whistleblower”, but in this case, it is extremely important to make sure the quality of what we consume is safe. Whistleblowers can be very important when making sure the quality of what the people are consuming is safe, and in this case, the can be very influential to the people.

https://www.wqa.org/about-us/governance/code-of-ethics-whistleblower-policy 

“Code of Ethics & Whistleblower Policy.” Water Quality Association, www.wqa.org/about-us/governance/code-of-ethics-whistleblower-policy.

https://www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/sdwa

“Department of Labor Logo UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.” Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) | Whistleblower Protection Program, www.whistleblowers.gov/statutes/sdwa.

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Should water be a right or a privilege?

There are many arguments that go into deciding whether or not certain values are a right or privilege, and this argument can range from college to basic human rights. There are many who argue whether or not that water is a right or a privilege, and this topic is discussed between citizens among nations to even more centralized legislatures, such as judges. Those who do say that water is a right argue from a more humanitarian point of view and believe that everyone should have access to pure clean drinking, as it is apart of our unalienable rights. In contrast, there are many who believe that clean drinking water is more of a privilege than a right. This point of view comes from a more politically driven view, it’s not that it is believed that people shouldn’t have access, it's that they do not want to feel legally bound or obligated. Each of these views has a large prominence within communities, but cannot be settled since each is so strongly stuck in their ways. The debate goes on, but it is unknown if there is one right answer.

WaterCheck.biz. “Water Is Not A Privilege, It's Our Human Right.” WaterCheck.biz, www.watercheck.biz/blogs/water-facts-trivia/water-is-not-a-privilege-its-our-human-right.

https://www.watercheck.biz/blogs/water-facts-trivia/water-is-not-a-privilege-its-our-human-right

Flattau, Edward. “Water -- A Privilege or Right?” HuffPost, HuffPost, 16 Mar. 2015, www.huffpost.com/entry/water--a-privilege-or-rig_b_6472096.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/water--a-privilege-or-rig_b_6472096

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Policy Implementation

Policy enactment is a very important process that affects all different areas within the government. But the process of making a policy does not stop with enactment. The policy process must carry on with implementation to be effective, and this goes for every successful policy. Policies need to have active importance within the government and community, and this occurs when the implementation of said policy is steady. So many people can play a part in policy implementation, and this can go from high bureaucratic officials to constituents the policies affect regularly. When it comes to water resources all of the population is affected, therefore it needs to be steadily focused on and have a continuous enactment that allows it to be sustainable and provide for the large-scale of people that depend on it. When speaking of a resource as important as water it is always kept in mind who will it be affecting and the individuals involved in the process. The policies that come into play in our daily lives are all very important, but water plays an especially important role because of how vital it is to each individual.

https://www.cdc.gov/policy/polaris/policyprocess/policy_implementation.html

“Policy Implementation.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Jan. 2019, www.cdc.gov/policy/polaris/policyprocess/policy_implementation.html.

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Policy Design

When a policy is being created and implemented, many things go into it and are considered before it is official. Creating policies is a time-consuming process that needs a few basic objectives answered first like, what the policy goals are, causal theory, targets, and implementation policy to name a few. There are many major policies and laws surrounding water policy, these can focus on topics such as drinking water to regulating the ocean. The ocean is one of the most important resources for man and was further protected when the Ocean Dumping Ban Act was enacted in 1988. The goal of this policy was to reduce dumping and protect marine life. The outcome of this was less waste going into the ocean, although this is still an issue, and a better quality of marine life. This allows for there to be more research around the ocean and life within it. A policy like this has specific targets and goals, and after may years of regulations, it will be more effective. This act was only created in 1988, but it is a policy that is seen as important, and still holds a great deal of significance.

https://www.epa.gov/regulatory-information-topic/regulatory-information-topic-water

EPA. “Regulatory Information by Topic: Water.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 22 Aug. 2019, www.epa.gov/regulatory-information-topic/regulatory-information-topic-water.

https://archive.epa.gov/epa/aboutepa/epa-history-ocean-dumping-ban-act-1988.html

EPA. “EPA History: Ocean Dumping Ban Act of 1988.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 4 Oct. 2016, archive.epa.gov/epa/aboutepa/epa-history-ocean-dumping-ban-act-1988.html.

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Common Goods

Water resources could be believed to be a public good, but in reality, the resources are more of a common good. Many do not have access to water, and in some areas water may be scarce and expensive. Since water is a source that we have to pay to have access to it is considered to be more a common good, such as access to mines or fisheries. Common goods like these do not just simply exist, they are created by the society around them, and then the necessity of it drives the production and industry around it. Common goods are defined by the fact that there is competition around them, so drinking water is a source many are in need of. If this resource is consumed and used, it cannot be used by another, further defining it as a common good. Water is considered to be a common good, rather than be defined as a public good because of the rivalry of it and because of the fact that not each individual has access to clean drinking water.

Helfrich, Silke. “The Wealth of the Commons.” Common Goods Don't Simply Exist – They Are Created | The Wealth of the Commons, wealthofthecommons.org/essay/common-goods-don%E2%80%99t-simply-exist-%E2%80%93-they-are-created.

http://wealthofthecommons.org/essay/common-goods-don%E2%80%99t-simply-exist-%E2%80%93-they-are-created

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How do street-level bureaucrats affect water policy?

To figure out the roles that street-level bureaucrats play in water policy, it is important to understand exactly who they, and which ones would be involved in water policy. A street-level bureaucrat is a public service worker who interacts directly with the public and can be considered to be in the front line of the government. So how might they (street-level bureaucrats) affect water policies and regulations? Many of them could be on the front line of water conservation or advocate for it, or they could even be lawyers in legal aid. They can also have a large role in environmental management to protect water sources and even have positions to make decisions for public benefit. These actors can play important roles when it comes to decisions on water policy such as water management, water rights and laws, environmental protection, humans rights laws, and so on. Water management is an area that is often overlooked, but there are many street-level bureaucrats that help the public when it comes to laws and decisions regarding water policy.

https://www.russellsage.org/publications/street-level-bureaucracy

“Street-Level Bureaucracy.” Street-Level Bureaucracy | RSF, www.russellsage.org/publications/street-level-bureaucracy.

https://ceowatermandate.org/policyengagement/understanding-water-policy/

“Understanding Water Policy.” Guide to Responsible Business Engagement with Water Policy, ceowatermandate.org/policyengagement/understanding-water-policy/.

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Co-production

Co-production has many different definitions because it is always developing. The broadest definition can be described as individuals influencing the services received, and being able to work with professionals to create laws and policies that best fit them as a unit. Water supplies are extremely important to both the policymakers and the constituents that it will affect. Being able to govern water sources and policies becomes a larger issue because of the large amounts of people that it will affect. Such as large corporations, industries, local users, and more. It is important for this specific area to involve each of these parties since it will be of concern to each of them no matter what. For co-production to work best each party of a system needs to make better use of each other's time, thus giving better results from policies. For water regulations its important for all to realize that water is a vital asset that needs to be treated fairly for everyone. This includes water sources being available for each category of citizens and all working together to make sure it is accessible.

Moretto, Luisa, et al. “Challenges of Water and Sanitation Service Co-Production in the Global South - Luisa Moretto, Giuseppe Faldi, Marco Ranzato, Federica Natalia Rosati, Jean-Pierre Ilito Boozi, Jacques Teller, 2018.” SAGE Journals, journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956247818790652.

Rittman, Martyn. “Introduction to MDPI Editor-in-Chief Conference.” Proceedings of 1st Electronic Conference of MDPI Editors-in-Chief, 2015, doi:10.3390/eic2015-0002.

“What Is Co-Production?” Think Local Act Personal, www.thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk/co-production-in-commissioning-tool/co-production/In-more-detail/what-is-co-production/.

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Focus Events

The events that happened in Flint, Michigan, have caused so much damage to the community there. As many know, Flint has had an ongoing water epidemic. Their water supply was switched to the Flint river to save money, but this proved to be a mistake after months of reported illness, such hair loss and rashes. The water was reported being foul-smelling, off colored, and tasted bad (Denchak). The water supply in Flint has never been great, for years the river had been used as an unofficial dumping site for local industries. The water in Flint River may have been cheaper to use, but it poisoned residents in 2014 (Denchak). After Flint was exposed to dangerous levels of lead there was public outrage, and the pleas of over 100,000 people were ignored by government officials for too long (Staff). After there was such an intense uproar and worry for the cities safety and sanction, many took to social media to protest and support the city. Many are still very concerned for Flint, but their concerns have been in vain since the problem was resolved when the city moved their water supply back to Detroit 18 months after the fact (Carmody).

Carmody, Steve. “5 Years After Flint's Crisis Began, Is The Water Safe?” NPR, NPR, 25 Apr. 2019, www.npr.org/2019/04/25/717104335/5-years-after-flints-crisis-began-is-the-water-safe.

https://www.npr.org/2019/04/25/717104335/5-years-after-flints-crisis-began-is-the-water-safe

Denchak, Melissa. “Flint Water Crisis: Everything You Need to Know.” NRDC, 22 May 2019, www.nrdc.org/stories/flint-water-crisis-everything-you-need-know.

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flint-water-crisis-everything-you-need-know

 Staff, Stateside. “Four Years of the Flint Water Crisis: ‘We're Living through Something That Should Never Happen.".” Michigan Radio, 

www.michiganradio.org/post/four-years-flint-water-crisis-we-re-living-through-something-should-never-happen.

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Hidden Values Individuals May Hold

Although there are people who clearly care about the environment and the health of people around the world, there are some that most likely do not care about concerns if it doesn't affect them. Water is vital to life, and if a person doesn't have trouble finding it, they may not care how others are finding it. To be a “humanitarian” is a popular trait to have, and many may use it to fit in. This can be seen as “preference falsification”, where people may say they prefer or like an existing quo even if they don't so their values aren’t challenged and they fit in. When regarding water policies many don’t want to donate time or money to help others they don't know, but as a society, it is assumed we all care about the wellbeing of others. In Gallup Poles, it showed that Americans are starting to care less and less about the environment, although what they are most concerned about was their drinking water (Sifferlin). So it is clear that Americans care about their drinking water, but the environment comes hand in hand with the resources we need to survive, and many don’t actually care.

Sifferlin, Alexandra. “Americans Don't Care That Much About the Environment, Poll Shows.” Time, Time, time.com/3758465/americans-dont-care-environment-poll/.

https://time.com/3758465/americans-dont-care-environment-poll/