USS Bits and Bytes - Electronic Newsletter of the Miami University's Undergraduate Summer Scholars Program (USS)

Vol. 1, #1, August 22, 1997

An Organizational Analysis and Action Plan for PAWS
Summer 1997 project of Beverly G. Dennis under the mentorship of Dr. Martha P. Stevens, Department of Communication

Photo of Beverly Dennis Beverly Dennis is no stranger to risk. Recently, after working for many years, she decided to return to school full time for her degree. The decision was not an easy one, since it meant moving back to her hometown of Middletown, Ohio, but for her it was the right decision. In fact, her project this summer helped alleviate any doubts as to her future objectives. Designed with her mentor Dr. Martha Stevens, Beverly's project incorporates her interest in the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), an animal shelter in Middletown, Ohio, with her major in organizational communication.

The dual purpose of Beverly's project was to develop an action plan for a period of one year for PAWS and introduce her organizational communication. After she and her mentor created a time line for her ten weeks, Beverly began to research the history of PAWS and current methods of internal and external communication. In order to compare PAWS' success with similar organizations, she researched a neighboring shelter, SICSA. Since PAWS' largest charity fund-raiser was recently canceled, Beverly's project promised a practical solution to the shelter's immediate needs.

PAWS logo In the course of developing her solution, Beverly's focus shifted with the realization that the best way to help the animals at the shelter was to help the organization and the people in it. In order to arrive at this conclusion, Beverly conducted primary research in the form of a questionnaire sent to individuals currently affiliated with the shelter. In addition to this primary research, Beverly her final product includes a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, secondary background research and a comparison of the PAWS' mission statement to its shared commitments. All this research made it possible for her to schedule fundraising events for the shelter beginning January 1, 1998.

However, unable to postpone her enthusiasm for her project, Beverly organized a clean-up and repair day in August with money donated from Mitsubishi and supplies from other businesses. On the assigned day, between twenty and twenty-five people arrived prepared to paint kennels, landscape the grounds and even dump 10 tons of gravel in the parking lot. While the final product of their hard work was a dramatically improved shelter, Beverly was more amazed by the fact that no one she solicited for money or supplies turned her down. The community's willingness to support her efforts is one of her best memories of her experience.

In January, when PAWS adopts her plan and begins the fund-raisers, Beverly intends to participate by chairing one of the events. Her involvement with the organization has helped her chart her course for the future. Though her plans are not exact, she knows that she wants to work for an organization she believes in and can be as committed to as PAWS. Based on her experience this summer, there is little chance she will not meet her future goals.

Beverly Dennis is one of 120 Miami University undergraduates who participated in the 1997 Undergraduate Summer Scholars (USS) Program. This University program is an initiative aimed at heightening the intellectual challenge of the learning environment at Miami University. This program enables Miami undergraduates to do research or other creative activities in the summer under the supervision of faculty.

In 1997, some of the USS activities were supported by a National Science Foundation Grant to Miami University entitled "Creating a Research-Rich Curriculum: A Model for Lifelong and Continuous Learning" (DUE-9652063, Dr. J.A. Czaja, PI). This funding was provided under the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education's program on Institution-Wide Reform of Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology.

Summary and Photo by Cindy (Cynthia) Bubb, a Mass Communication major with a minor in Marketing, Miami University class of 1998.