Organizations Books


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Organizations Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Organizations
Manna in a Wilderness of AIDS: Ten Lessons in Abundance
Published in Paperback by Pilgrim Press (2002-02)
Author: Kenwyn K. Smith
List price: $17.00
New price: $6.75
Used price: $3.02
Collectible price: $17.00

Average review score:

Humanity wins!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-09
The story of humanity helping humanity - of a social transformation that, should we allow ourselves to drop our ego, should be more prevalent in our world today.

Plant the seed and watch it grow!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-01-31
MANNA is more than merely a good read to be put on a shelf when finished. The people in MANNA stay with you, the lessons impact you in the deepest kind of way, and the goodness invigorates and motivates you. It leaves you feeling things that you can't describe which drove me to give it to others so that they can taste its goodness, too. I gave the book to my father (CEO of Family Services in Erie, PA) and he loved it so much he is giving it to his staff (over 100 in total) and his board because he felt it exemplified so much of what he hopes his organization will grow to model in terms of perseverance and sincerity of service.

Inspiring
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-08-13
I am a former graduate student of Dr. Smith's and loved reading his book, as it reminded me of the energy and inspiration he brought to each and every lecture he did for our class. The book inspires one to do good things, and more importantly makes one feel like doing amazing things is possible. The style of the book makes the reader feel like the auther respects him/her, and approaches the many subject matters presented within its pages gently, but also honestly. I highly recommend it.

A new perspective on AIDS and homelessness
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2002-03-20
Every so often, a book comes along that changes your perspective forever after. Manna is one of those. I will never again think of AIDS or homelessness in the same way.

Not only was Manna moving and inspirational, it also was so exquisitely written that I found myself reading it like poetry--in small doses, paragraphs at a time--so that I could absorb its beauty and meaning.

The following incident is illustrative of its impact: One afternoon, as I sat reading Manna at a friend's home, I was so taken by one of the excerpts that I read it aloud to him. His eyes filled with tears. A moment later, coming across another such excerpt, I did the same. His reaction was the same. This was repeated several more times, until we both realized that this was the case with every word, every sentence, every paragraph. He decided to get his own copy.

Indeed, everyone should have a copy to read, to ponder, to cherish.

Organizations
Marketing Madness! The Essential Marketing ToolBook for Summer Programs
Published in Spiral-bound by Casa d' Arte, Inc. (2003-03-10)
Author: Susan Stanco
List price: $32.95

Average review score:

End your Marketing Madness.....
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-05
This is a really helpful book - very much worth the $21.75 price.

The physical book itself is unimpressive (wire bound, etc), but it's what inside that really counts here. We use many of the helpful suggestions regularly. We came across it somewhat by accident, but we're sure glad we did.

There is a lot covered here. In fact, most everything you need to run, or improve a Summer Program....or any non-profit or Child Care program. I think it's all in the way you use it's many helpful hints - those that just read it and toss it aside will gain nothing but $21.75 less in their bank account. But, use the many suggestions (we love the helpful hints inside!) for improvement and you'll have a better program as a result.

If I knew what was in here before we bought it, we'd have paid $121.75 for it.

Ms. Stanco, if you ever read these comments - thank you from all of us at Rio Rancho Public Schools outside of Albuquerque!

Amazing guide!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-10-08
I have both of Ms. Stanco's books and find each one to be terrific. Marketing Madness! The Essential Marketing ToolBook for Summer Programs is a must have for any educator/administrator. This book is an excellent resource and guide and an invaluable tool to assist you in marketing your summer program. I highly recommend it!

Marketing Madness
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-21
Just like her book Programming Madness, Marketing Madness is a quick and easy read with lots of helpful information. It takes the guess work out of what needs to be done when trying to market a summer program.

A real help in every way...
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-19

We own both of Ms. Stanco's books....Marketing and Programming Madness.

There are a lot of great examples of real world marketing and programming Summer Programs...just plug in and use if you need.

Text is big, and while it's not a long book, it's packed solid with good information. It's also an easy read - it can take you and hour if you skim thru it, or days if you try to gather all the wondeful details within.

This is a real find for anyone that has a Summer Camp or related situation.

Organizations
More Than Houses
Published in Paperback by Thomas Nelson (1999-10-07)
Author: Millard Fuller
List price: $19.98
New price: $0.50
Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $19.98

Average review score:

Millard Fuller
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-25
This man and this group have done a lot to bring people from all walks of life to help out our neighbors with housing. 5 out of 5 stars.

Inspirational
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-16
This book was inspirational to me. The book is full of stories about families and their struggles in life, then they are given a new life it seems when their world is changed and helping hands step in to help. I had to read this for a Sociology course, and I enjoyed it very much.

Building a Better World with the Ministry of the Hammer
Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-05-30
If you have ever wondered if you could find an activity that would make you much happier and more fulfilled, please read this book and see what becoming involved with Habitat for Humanity International could mean for you.

I thought I knew a lot about Habitat for Humanity International. I've read some of Mr. Fuller's earlier books. I've listened to him and other Habitat leaders speak about the organization and its fine work. One of my sons has worked with Habitat for many years and married a wonderful woman he met while out building a Habitat home. I've even written about Habitat in each the last two books I've co-authored. Despite that background, I really needed to read this book to catch up on so many things I didn't know.

The book's format is to share stories from volunteers, staff member and families who have bought Habitat homes around a few themes: Making dreams come true; better lives for children; improving families; developing better neighborhoods; making healthier lives; launching new careers; inspiring love and marriage; creating friendships; building faith; rehabilitating prisoners; bridging cultural and religious differences; pursuing happiness; and inspiring a new generation to decently house those in want.

As a result, this is not the kind of book that you will praise for its writing, its structure, its choice of similes, or its illustrations. But all will find it to be a book that can be praised and appreciated for its heart, its love and its understanding. My life has been filled with a wonderful glow since I finished reading it. I am very grateful that Mr. Fuller kindly shared it with me.

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry. But it's a ministry that seeks to do good through good works by involving and serving everyone . . . whether Christians or not. It's scope is enormous and growing rapidly. In fact, one reason I write about Habitat is because it has been so much more successful than other organizations in accomplishing its purposes and getting better at doing so.

Here are some of the things I learned that I did not know from this book. When dozens of Habitat homes are built in the same community, the residents often band together to help root out crime in the area. So a good place to build these homes is in high crime neighborhoods, to replace so-called crack houses and other places being used for wrong purposes. Many people live in such substandard conditions before getting Habitat housing that their health measurably improves along with their psychological outlook. Poor people, prisoners, and simply people who want to change their line of work are often able to learn building and management skills that turn into jobs from working as Habitat volunteers. Lonely people find friends . . . including old ones they haven't seen in a while. As I read the pages, I saw several photos of my friends whom I did not know were involved as Habitat volunteers. Many people come to find religious faith through the experience of helping and being helped by Habitat volunteers.

Reading books is a great way to spend your time. Helping others is an even better one. Why don't you read some or all of this book and then volunteer a day with Habitat in the next year and to see how you like it? There's a lot More Than Houses involved!

May God bless you!

Habitat for Humanity is more than houses!
Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2000-11-03
This book is a great account of the other aspects of Habitat. Habitat is more than houses because it involves people -- not just physical buildings. Fuller describes how Habitat gives people a sense of pride and a chance to move on in their life. As well, Fuller explains that Habitat gives people the opportunity to meet who never would have met or allow people (i.e. prisoners) the chance to volunteer with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity also can foster romantic relationships, of which Fuller gives accurate accounts. Habitat for Humanity believes that God's love makes everyone equal. Millard Fuller writes a very descriptive account of how Habitat is more than houses, it is a way of life.

Organizations
Mrs. Roberto: Or the Widowy Worries of the Moosepath League, The
Published in Hardcover by Viking Adult (2003-07-14)
Author: Van Reid
List price: $25.95
New price: $5.76
Used price: $0.09

Average review score:

"A Plan to Stave Off Melancholy"
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-18
I had lunch with Van Reid in August of 2001. He was as fun to talk to as his books are to read! I love the humor, the insight, the intrigue and the adventures of the Moosepath League! I agree that this installment is not as "heavy" as Daniel Plainway (at least to all but Ephram, Eagleton,and Thump!) but all the other elements are present. I laughed out loud several times while flying, which caused my fellow passengers to wonder about me, I am sure. Moxie!

AN EXCELLENT SERIES OF BOOKS ...
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2006-01-04
How could I have missed this series? I enjoy stories set in this period because my own father was born in 1890; in Kentucky. He was a small-town boy, following the work to Ohio where he and several of his brothers settled.

I can picture him being a member of such a club as the Moosepath League and having small adventures such as author Reid depicts in this series of books. My father was not bumbling like most of these characters, but he was witty and funny and would no doubt have led them on even more exciting adventures.

Reid paints a vivid picture of a small town of the late 80s ... filled with characters who would make entertaining neighbors. They'd certainly liven up any neighborhood with their quaint, old-fashioned, yet quirky fun.

It's obvious this is a satire, and I love satire myself. (I discovered these books because on Amazon.com they were placed beside one of the books I wrote: THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY. While the TOONIES does not disparage our lovely Valley in anyway, I certainly delighted in poking a bit of fun at our techie culture ... tongue-in-cheek humor, of course ... as Mr. Reid does in these books.)

Fun reads! Enjoy all four.

Van Reid does it again!
Helpful Votes: 5 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-20
For excellent quality, humor, detailed plots, and kind, likeable characters, you can't beat Van Reid's "Moosepath League" novels. The latest, "Mrs. Roberto", seems to me to be a little lighter in tone than "Molly Peer" or "Daniel Plainway", but is still immensely involving and entertaining. This kind of writing just cannot be found anywhere else today. If you are fond of the classics or nineteenth century American literature, you will love Van Reid.

Old-fashioned wit and adventure
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2003-09-06
The willing adventurers of the Moosepath League of Victorian Portland, Maine, have lost none of their good-natured innocence in this fourth adventure, despite entanglements with tavern keepers, loose women, pickpockets, hoboes and worse. Indeed, Van Reid's droll storytelling depends upon it.

Misdirection and misunderstanding form the strong foundation of the meandering and digressive missions of the League's six members, who gather at the Shipswood Restaurant in the spring of 1897 for one of their regular dinners. They raise their water glasses (prohibition has been in effect in Maine for 46 years) to their only female member, Miss Phileda McCannon, who's making a journey to settle her deceased aunt's affairs. Mr. Tobias Walton, their chairman and the oldest at 48, is a bit subdued on this occasion as Phileda has not given an answer to his proposal of marriage.

Joseph Thump, Christopher Eagleton and Matthew Ephram are still in a small state of excitement after nearly running down a tavern keeper named Sparks who could have been Thump's double, but for his workingman's clothing and his high-pitched voice. The youngest member, Walton's faithful assistant Sundry Moss, 23, is the only one who dares to hazard that the crowd of ruffians backing away from the near-accident were pursuing Sparks rather than attempting his rescue.

The trio of Thump, Eagleton and Ephram have not seen the last of Sparks. Walking home through an unfamiliar and doubtful part of town, Thump happens to save a policeman from certain death-by-falling-piano, thereby incurring Mrs. Sparks' heartfelt gratitude for preserving her cousin, the perpetrator, from a murder charge.

This might again have been the end of it, but the trio, inspired by an incident in a play, determine that the lovely balloon ascensionist, Mrs. Roberto, must be in need of rescuing. Their mission leads them to a house of ill-repute (not that they ever realize where they are) and a run-in with the gang that's after Sparks, from which they escape thanks to Sparks' youngest son and his urchin friend who lead them over Portland's slippery rooftops. Sparks' network of less-than-respectable relatives continues to aid the trio as they seek Mrs. Roberto from Bangor to Dresden Mills, taking up with a large party of hoboes along the way.

Meanwhile, Moss, attempting to distract his employer, has taken Walton to visit his uncle in Norridgewock, though they never make it quite that far. The train is delayed in Bowdoinham where Walton is pressed to come to the aid of a glum prize pig. Perplexed by the locals' assumption of his expertise in porcine matters (the reader has been let-in on the misunderstanding), but as willing and easy-going as ever, Walton embarks on a visit to the Ferns, unhappy owners of the depressed pig, where Moss, a farmer's son and a bit more worldly than his fellow Moosepathians, soon susses the problem.

With digressions for the furtherance of romance and good acquaintance, Reid piles misunderstandings upon misunderstandings, constructing a hilarious journey through the towns and by-ways of Maine and the social strata of its best inhabitants. It all culminates in a spectacular and chaotic natural disaster, reuniting the League and necessitating numerous rescues and confusion and some wonderfully vivid writing.

Lots of local color and history round out the adventure. Reid's prose is playful, witty and dry, as well as eloquent and visual. The contrast between the transparent innocence of the steadfastly clueless trio and the sharp wits of Sundry Moss (think young George Burns and Gracie Allen) is a pleasure, further enhanced by the ready-for-anything calm of Toby Walton. Reid (whose Maine roots go back more than two centuries) leaves us with a tantalizing hint of the next to come in the League's adventures. These books are for anyone who enjoys wit and good-natured storytelling in the Dickensian tradition.

Organizations
Naval Ceremonies, Customs, and Traditions
Published in Hardcover by Naval Institute Press (1981-02)
Authors: William P. Mack and Royal W. Connell
List price: $29.95
New price: $17.95
Used price: $0.80
Collectible price: $29.95

Average review score:

A lot of information
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-12
If you want a lot of information about the navy then this is the perfect book for you. If you don't want to read a large book with a lot of information then don't waste your money and look for the info on the internet instead (but you won't get as much detail and accurate as this book).

Naval Ceremonies, customs, and traditions
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-30
This product is exactly what I was looking for. It was especially informative as to how tossing the hat at graduation started.Naval Ceremonies, Customs, and Traditions, Sixth Edition

Navy custom explained
Helpful Votes: 15 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2001-10-10
This book is clearly inteded as a manual for naval officers. I don't doubt that it would come in useful. It's a true treasure trove of information concerning US Navy custom and traditions. But the best part is the fact that it goes extensively into the backgrounds of many of the traditions and customs the Navy is steeped in. It is a scholorly book on history as much as it is about custom and tradition.

As a person who's not in the navy and just has an interest in it's history, this book was extremely entertaining and informative. If you're interested in such things, this book is defiantely worth a look.

Navy 101
Helpful Votes: 15 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2001-01-21
This is an excellent source of knowledge with a wealth of information. If you want to know about the origins of Naval terms and how certain Naval traditions came about (ie..The Crossing of the Equator, Change of Command ceromonies) this book explains most of it. My only complaint is that it revolves around the officer community too much. I think it would have helped to add some more enlisted info too! So I highly reccomend this book! Fair Winds and Following Seas!

Organizations
The New Society: The Anatomy of Industrial Order
Published in Paperback by Transaction Publishers (1993-01-01)
Author: Peter Drucker
List price: $24.95
New price: $15.51
Used price: $10.44

Average review score:

Drucker the Prophet
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-08-14
I read this book of revelations from ~1950 and I humbly profess that the insights are true to this minute at my job. I am preparing a training session inspired by the fundamental analysis that Peter Drucker conceived for the intrinsic economic, social and political dimensions of enterprises.

I delayed reading his early works thinking that they would be excellently written, but outdated. How wrong can I be? If you believe in the noble crusade of management "sheparding the scarce resources of society", then you will have every book he ever wrote.

Corporation is GOD!
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-06
I read the Arabic translation 20 years ago. I've trained as an engineer. Meanwhile, reading on political economy was one of my best interests. This book made the ultimate connection: The Concept of Efficiency. Since then I began to see the world in a very different way. The bigger the corporation, the more efficient it is, and the more beneficent. That's it. Corporation is GOD (It was the mistake of Microsoft to behave as an aggressive small business!). Corporation is the most likely patron of science and technology. It's simply the engine for evolution in modern civilization. Drucker's idea that corporations are made to serve not to profit is daring, sometimes hard to conceive, but in core... it's brilliant!

Corporation Is God
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-06
I read the Arabic translation 20 years ago. I've trained as an engineer. Meanwhile, reading on political economy was one of my best interests. This book made the ultimate connection: The Concept of Efficiency. Since then I began to see the world in a very different way. The bigger the corporation, the more efficient it is, and the more beneficent. That's it. Corporation is GOD (It was the mistake of Microsoft to behave as an aggressive small business!). Corporation is the most likely patron of science and technology. It's simply the engine for evolution in modern civilization. Drucker's idea that corporations are made to serve not to profit is daring, sometimes hard to conceive, but in core... it's brilliant!

Corporation is GOD!
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-02-06
I read the Arabic translation 20 years ago. I've trained as an engineer. Meanwhile, reading on political economy was one of my best interests. This book made the ultimate connection: The Concept of Efficiency. Since then I began to see the world in a very different way. The bigger the corporation, the more efficient it is, and the more beneficent. That's it. Corporation is GOD (It was the mistake of Microsoft to behave as an aggressive small business!). Corporation is the most likely patron of science and technology. It's simply the engine for evolution in modern civilization. Drucker's idea that corporations are made to serve not to profit is daring, sometimes hard to conceive, but in core... it's brilliant!

Organizations
Nonprofit Board Answer Book: Practical Guidelines for Board Members and Chief Executives
Published in Hardcover by National Center for Nonprofit Boards (1998-02)
Authors: Robert C. Andringa and Theodore Wilhelm Engstrom
List price: $29.95
New price: $18.95
Used price: $4.84

Average review score:

A Must-Have for Senior Staffs and Volunteer Leaders
Helpful Votes: 15 out of 15 total.
Review Date: 2001-03-25
This is a must-have book for nonprofit senior staffs as well as for volunteer board members who aspire to leadership and stewardship of the organizations they serve. It definitely lives up to the promise of the assertion on the book jacket that the authors, "...who collectively have more than 70 years of experience as chief executives, board members, and facilitators in the training of more than 20,000 board members in 20 countries..."

The book is comprised of 37 short chapters (typically 3-6 pages each) in five sections, designed to address all aspects of board service and board/staff issues. Each chapter provides facts, opinions, tools, and a few "suggested action steps" to help a board address the issue or situation presented in the chapter.

In general, the authors reference John Carver as a good resource for the theory and practice of nonprofit governance, but they don't make Carver the precise and proscriptive recipe that some adherents do. They admit the possibility that other techniques and structures can work well for certain organizations, while "sticking to their guns" in presenting their experiences and insights as having inherent value for most nonprofits.

I was especially impressed by the distinction made between the role of the board and the role of board members. Many policy governance disputes stem from a misunderstanding that, somehow, all board members should have the same responsibilities and be treated interchangeably.

I would have liked to see a clearer treatment of the issue of board diversity; interestingly, the authors seem to agree, admitting that it's a very difficult subject to address. Many board "diversity" programs focus on narrowly-defined "diversity" and run the danger of leading to "tokenism," according to the authors.

The charts and checklists that supplement the text are simple and effective. They're easy for readers to re-create and use in their own organizations.

The book even admits of the possibility that nonprofits can (and sometimes should) dissolve and disband, and provides strategies for helping board, staff, and community understand, accept, and even support the natural cycle of life as it applies to organizations. It's an important message and not a negative one.

Although originally published in December, 1997, it has already had three printings as of August, 1999. With 15 million volunteer board members in the U.S. alone, the publishers could run through many more printings.

A "must read" for anyone serious about non-profit governance
Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 1998-07-13
Drawing on two lifetimes of experience, Andringa and Engstrom have addressed a broad array of crucial issues. I enjoyed the fact that it was long enough to deal throughly with dozens of key issues and yet moved quickly from topic to topic. I had several, "I wish I'd thought of that" moments when Andringa and Engstrom crystallized a thought I'd been rolling around in the foggy recesses of my mind.

CEO's of Non-Profits should take special note of the practical suggestions in chapters 5, 14, 19, 21 & 26. Board members who are serious about making a contribution will benefit greatly from chapters 1, 4, 5, 7, 16, 22, 28 & 34.

The book reads quickly and can be completed in one sitting but serves best as a reference with short practical responses to frequently asked questions.

Engstrom has produced many excellent works but I hope we will see more from Andringa as well.

Must have for all staff and board members of nonprofits
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-19
The book is organized with very straightforward chapters with suggested action steps. The combination of discussion and practical application makes the book the one reference book needed for anyone working with nonprofits.
Excellence in governance can be achived by following this book. Excellence in government results in the most efficient use of staff and financial resources in fullfillment of the mission of a nonprofit.

Required reading for both new and experienced board members.
Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 1998-07-16
Absolutely, without exception, this should be required reading for both new and experienced board members and senior management. Andringa and Engstrom, clearly, are not theoretical "ivory tower" authors. They've been in the trenches with the rest of us--and offer sound, practical counsel. It's a helpful book to give to new board members as part of their board orientation. Certainly every board chair needs one. Well worth the price. Board meetings will get done earlier if you take just 10% of the authors' advice!

Organizations
The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit (Kim Klein's Chardon Press)
Published in Paperback by Jossey-Bass (2003-07-10)
Author: Ellis M.M. Robinson
List price: $40.00
New price: $29.00
Used price: $29.61

Average review score:

NonProfit Membership Toolkit
Helpful Votes: 11 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-25
This book gets my highest praise for putting a lot of valuable information into one easy to navigate source. My book is marked up with highlighter and sticky notes! Although I don't work for an "environmental" nonprofit, I found that the insight and experience easily translates into my field (long term care for the elderly). Very, very good. I highly recommend to all development/fundraising professionals and volunteers.

Packed with Knowledge!
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-20
This book offers one-stop shopping for the nonprofit organization in need of money, political influence, credibility, free labor and all of the other benefits that members can bring. Not only does the book provide abundant information on recruiting members, it also offers, free and online, copies of forms and worksheets you can use to help advance your organization's membership campaign. It begins at the beginning, explaining what membership is. This may sound self-evident, but the very definition of membership has some surprising twists. This book will save you from making some very obvious mistakes - such as failing to convert people who contact you into members. It's a straightforward, no-nonsense workbook with excellent samples and examples. If you are an executive, board member, staffer or volunteer at a nonprofit, we offer its congratulations: at last, here's the right book for you.

Membership Guru Tells All!
Helpful Votes: 12 out of 13 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-23
Ellis Robinson has helped hundreds of non-profits increase their memberships, both as a trainer and an employee. She's reached almost mythical status for building the membership of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy from 400 to 60,000 in three years. Now she shares her secrets in this easy-to-use guide. Whether you're a new community non-profit or an established national organization, The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit will give you a wealth of information to boost your ranks--especially important in this time of diminishing foundation grants. Ellis doesn't just give you the techniques. She also underscores the importance of developing your organization so that new members will want to renew their support. Her methods are well-rooted in community organizing, with emphasis on one-on-one recruitment, board involvement, and member participation. However, what really sets this book apart from other fundraising books is its use of materials from non-profit groups. Ellis has collected fundraising letters, brochures, surveys, membership plans, etc. from organizations in every corner of the country and presents the cream of the crop as models for your own use. The book is laid out well, with each chapter focusing on one aspect of membership development. As a professional fundraiser, I turn to The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit frequently to answer questions, inspire me to write yet another fundraising letter, or give me new ideas to try. I recommend The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit wholeheartedly to anyone involved with a non-profit organization.

The Bible for Non-Profit Funding Through Membership
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-21
In today's tough economic times, just about every non-profit needs help raising money. Members are one of the best sources of long-term funding and support for non-profits and this book tells all. A fantasic how-to-do-it guide to setting up and running a membership program. Lots of examples, worksheets, and - my favorite - practical tips and samples of results-producing membership letters. You can literally give this book to the person in charge of membership and they will know exactly what to do. Just about every non-profit has lots of room for improvment in the membership area. This book is packed with tips and advice from THE leader in membership development and fund raising, Ellis Robinson. You will not find a more passionate person to help your non-profit do a better job and be more successful.

Organizations
Nonprofit Mergers Workbook: The Leader's Guide to Considering Negotiating & Executing a Merger
Published in Paperback by Fieldstone Alliance (2000-07)
Authors: David LA Piana and David Lapiana
List price: $34.95
Used price: $199.99

Average review score:

A must read
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-12
I highly recommend this book for anyone considering a merger in the non-profit world. It is full of specific tools that help you think through the process. I appreciate the concrete steps presented in a simple, straight-forward fashion.

The ultimate book for facilitating mergers
Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-09-02
This is a fine reference! It asks the hard questions, and the workbook exercises are designed to help everyone over the tough answers. Readable, practical, most helpful.

Don't Merge Your Nonprofit Until You Read This Book
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2001-09-08
"Don't merge without it!"

This book is invaluable when your nonprofit is going through any form of strategic restructuing, up to and including mergers. As someone who has participated in nonprofit merger negotiations--both as a consultant and a board member representing a nonprofit--I believe this book can make the difference between success and failure.

Not only does David La Piana talk the talk in this book, he has also walked the walk. As an Executive Director of a nonprofit for many years--and having successfully led that organization through several mergers--La Piana understands the realities facing nonprofit managers and board members. His approach to strategic restructuring is pragmatic, and has enabled his consulting firm to become THE experts on nonprofit mergers in the country.

Even if you're just thinking about restructuring your nonprofit, buy this book!! You will save your nonprofit time, money, and energy, as well as protect your own sanity during the process.

Shawn Reifsteck (Masters in Nonprofit Administration)
CEO, Philanthropy Associates

A word from the author
Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-08-27
I wrote this book because there was no other resource available to nonprofit leaders that provided a thorough, easily understandable road map to negotiating and executing a merger. As both an executive and a consultant I have been involved with more than 60 nonprofit mergers and have learned what works and what does not in these difficult, emotional undertakings. This workbook provides all the tools you need: decision trees, worksheets, and special tips, to make your merger work. Check it out!

Organizations
Nonprofit Stewardship: A Better Way to Lead Your Mission-Based Organization
Published in Paperback by Fieldstone Alliance (2004-09-30)
Author: Peter C. Brinckerhoff
List price: $34.95
New price: $11.89
Used price: $11.88

Average review score:

Learning to lead a non-profit
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-08
This is an excellent book for those starting or leading an existing a non-profit organization. The focus is on how and why to do things. The decision tree provided is helpful for profit and non-profit organizations, in that the focus of decisions relates to the organizations mission and how all parties play a vital role. He further assists the reader in defining the various leaders responsibility on service to the community. The transition in non-profit management is understanding how to maximize mission effectiveness with organization efficiency. When there is understanding of the organizations role in the community, we have the ability to measure success.

AN ESSENTIAL NONPROFIT RESOURCE
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-01
Peter Brinkerhoff is one of today's most important writers on nonprofit management. Bringing with him over thirty-years experience in leading and developing nonprofit organizations, Brinkerhoff's book, Nonprofit Stewardship: A Better Way to Lead Your Mission-Based Organization is an essential book for all nonprofit executives, staff members and boards.

Brinkerhoff starts off by reminding us that having the privilege of being involved in nonprofit service requires a bigger view than just our own particular motivations. Indeed, being a nonprofit organization puts you at the heart of a larger community (be that local, national or international) and that defining your role within that larger context is vital to building a strong and successful organization.

As a funder, I applaud this concept. In today's tight money economy, it is becoming difficult to fund every important community organization. The key to the survival of these programs lies in collaborative partnerships, sharing services and maximizing resources. Brinkerhoff reminds us to make sure that our mission-based organization carries with it both those activities that appeal to the heart and those that make great business sense. He has developed nine characteristics that stewardship-based organizations strive for. Each of these should be a part of any good new board packet or, indeed, new employee manual.

Beyond that, Brinkerhoff's book is more than just philosophy. It contains common-sense tools that boards (and staff) can use to evaluate their organization and implement more effective ways of planning, tracking finance, taking risks and managing critical projects. His personal observations and both witty and entertaining and thought-provoking. And, again as a funder, his section on the stewardship role of foundations ought to be engrained in each of our grantmaking decisions.

Brinkerhoff even has a section that allows you to take a Personal Stewardship Self-Assessment to see how you measure up. Many know that the success of any good nonprofit organization lies in its leadership. If defining "stewardship" as "maximizing your organization's mission-effectiveness" makes sense; then how vital is it to examine your own leadership potential and find ways to grow as both a leader and a manager.

It's much more than a book
Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-08-28
Nonprofit Stewardship is more than a book, its really a tool box, with a hammer, a saw, a drill, a screwdriver and even a couple of nails. We read the book together (leadership team and board of directors). It was fun. It helped us to focus on what is really important in our work and why we do what we do. Every member of our leadership team from our Chief Financial Officer to our Development Officer and HR Director found chapters relevant to their work. The Board saw it as an opportunity to better align values and direction with the leadership of the organization. We still use it and the chapter exercises. When someone wants to make an important point with me (I'm the CEO) they will often quote from the book. We were redesigning our Customer Satisfaction System. The Director of Quality and Compliance wanted more "negative" feedback. The rest of the team was amazed. She quoted page 118 "When you measure, particularly when you ask people for their opinion and ideas on how to improve, tell your staff and board this: Praise feeds the ego. Criticism feeds improvement". Buy the book, you'll surely find something in your organization that needs improvement and your customers will be happier that you did.

Brinckerhoff Does it Again
Helpful Votes: 8 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2004-12-01
Peter Brinckerhoff's books are not a fast read. Every page is packed with thoughts and ideas. I find myself reading a paragraph and sitting for ten minutes absorbing the implications for the nonprofits I work with. If you are a nonprofit professional or a board member or volunteer, this is a "must read." No one has time or money to waste and everyone wants to do a good job. This book will help you do just that.
Carol Weisman, MSW, CSP


Books-Under-Review-->Health-->Addictions-->Substance Abuse-->Tobacco-->Organizations-->59
Related Subjects: American Lung Association
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