Starting point

As of today, I have a rough idea of the subject matter I would like to explore for my MAPC thesis and/or project. Because I would like to pursue my Ph.D. later on, I want to be sure to have a strong research paper element, even if I take on a project.
I have a passion for non-profit organizations and their efforts, which most likely stems from my reluctance to commit to only one cause. With an academic and professional interest in Communication Studies (specifically organizational and professional) and a desire to serve the greater good, I want to use my talents and knowledge to help charity organizations better achieve their goals. I hope to work in the field as a consultant for non-profit organizations upon graduation, so the study should contribute to that end.
My experiences in the business environment and with non-profits has revealed several issues I feel are crucial to non-profit success. First, the most obvious consideration is that non-profit entities are different from for profit companies in terms of mission and objectives. Second, many professionals who direct or coordinate for a non-profit have a background in the specific subject for which the non-profit was created, and not business or marketing. And lastly, many non-profits do not view themselves like a business and do not manage their organization as such. I hope to incorporate these ideas into my final thesis/project.
I am now enrolled in the Research Methods course where I am designing a pilot study that compares taglines of non-profits to those of for profits. I will be using the Four Types of Visual/Verbal Collaboration to assess the sample of taglines, and may also distribute a participant survey to gather preference data. Ideally, I would like this pilot study to produce findings that I can build on for my thesis/project.
I have spoken very generally with Dr. Katz about my ideas and asked him if he would be interested in chairing my committee. He said he would and to contact him when I am ready to discuss the project in more detail. I plan to contact him at the end of the semester when I have completed the pilot study.