Book Description

Deep within each one of us lies the ability to step up and care for those in need, even though we often feel overwhelmed by a complex world. In fact, more than 200 million people throughout the world offer their time and love to volunteering.

The stories in Chicken Soup for the Volunteer's Soul highlight the efforts of everyday people in the United States and around the globe who volunteer with the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, the Peace Corps, Points of Light, Rotaryand many, many other nonprofit organizations. Lovingly chosen from more than six thousand stories, poems and cartoons, these tales will inspire readers to do everything in their power to help those in need. Chapters include: The Rewards of Volunteering, Giving Back, Making a Difference, New Appreciation, Love and Kindness, Defining Moments, A Matter of Perspective, Overcoming Obstacles and On Wisdom.

Readers will cherish the story of a community that rallied together to send warm winter coats to refugee families in Kosovo. They'll be moved by the tale of a woman with a "smiley voice" who made audiotapes for the visually impaired despite a losing battle with cancer. They'll never forget the eight-year-old boy without arms or legs who fearlessly wielded a tennis racquet to propel a ball down the length of a room. And they'll be charmed by a rabbit named Cadberi who brings boundless joy to residents of a nursing home.

Book Description

Finally, a practical, down-to-earth guide that offers real advice on solving your volunteer shortage.

Whether yours is a large international association or a local food pantry, volunteers are the lifeblood of your organization. You rely on volunteers to carry out projects, head up task forces, coordinate events and eventually become the future leaders of your organization.

Just as an airline must understand the needs and desires of its customers or lose them to another carrier, you must understand and meet the needs of your volunteers, or they will take their time and talents to someone else who will.

Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them outlines 12 fundamental needs of volunteers and clearly spells out how to meet those needs. Rich with examples and useful tools, this book is a quick read that you will find yourself referencing again and again. Find out how to: Compete for volunteers Recruit the best person for the job Ensure projects are completed on time Equip new volunteers to hit the ground running Manage volunteers (versus managing employees) Fire a volunteer Keep your best volunteers coming back . . . and more!

The perfect gift for your favorite nonprofit and the perfect reference book for every volunteer, volunteer officer, board member, committee chair, local leader and paid staff in all types of nonprofits Trade associations Professional societies Business and civic organizations Charitable organizations Alumni associations Religious and community organizations Education and research foundations

A must for every leader in your organization! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Best of the Leading Books, But Not the Whole Picture

There are upwards of a 100 fairly good books on managing volunteers, and of those I selected four based on the information provided by Amazon and its readers, who now represent a critical mass of useful guidance. Of the four books, this is the best. If you buy only one, this is the one. (The other three were Vineyard & McCurley's "Best Practices for Volunteer Programs", Lee & Catagnus, "Supervising Volunteers", and what may be one of the originals (from 1994), Susan J. Ellis' "The Volunteer Recruitment and Membership Development Book." These latter three are reviewed in their own spaces.)

This book by Helen Little, as good as it is, would normally lose one star because it fails to provide an index or a guide to other readings (including web sites) in niche areas of volunteer management. However, it does provide excellent forms for each step of the volunteer management process and these are all downloadable from a given web address, so we'll call it even.

By way of larger context, this book, and books on volunteer management in general, are valuable not only for organizations that use volunteers as a resource, but for those who would manage citizen activism, as well as teen-agers with chips on their shoulders and a reluctance to bear down on chores.

While others have outlined volunteer "needs" and how to address them, Helen Little does it best. The 12 basic needs--applicable to neighborhood mobilization, regional political campaigns, and teen-ager "work for respect" programs--are very well and concisely listed: 1) specific manageable task; 2) task that matches motivation; 3) good reason for doing the task; 4) written instructions; 5) reasonable deadline; 6) freedom to complete the task; 7) everything necessary to complete the task; 8) adequate training; 9) safe, comfortable, friendly environment; 10) follow-up; 11) opportunity (for the volunteer) to provide feed-back; and 12) appreciation, recognition, and rewards.

As I read this thoughtful book, comparing what volunteers need at each step of the way--and the more advanced comments by the author on how to plan for succession at every level of the organization from neighborhood to national, I kept thinking to myself: "traditional political parties are dead." Both the Democratic and Republican parties are violating every single tenet of this excellent work on how to attract, motivate, and activate citizen-voters. It remains to be seen if our neighborhoods might yet self-organize. This would be a good book for anyone thinking about organizing any endeavor of free spirits, at any level of play.

New Knowledge & New Insights Found in Book
I have worked in the not for profit world for over 25 years as an association executive. I have also served on the Board of the Cerebral Palsy Center for the Bay Area for over 20 years. In each experience, the importance of finding and retaining and inspiring and engaging volunteer leaders is the factor that contributes to successfully achieving vision and mission. In the not for profit world, we are here to serve. The pressure to be the best at meeting the needs of those we serve never ends; the demands stretch our hearts and our minds; but in the not for profit world new knowledge, new ideas, new approaches, best practices, quality, and innovation can help meet important needs, and can even save a life. This book will inspire organizations seeking the best and brightest leaders, and is equally capable of inspiring the leaders we seek for our organizations. Well done and long needed by the field.

It will turn you around!
I hate to read books like this. Every once in a while I come across a book that is so helpful it stands me on my head. Really! After reading this book I felt a lot more confident to deal with thw 100+ volunteers I have in my organization. I would recommend this book to anyone who is responsible for volunteers.

Practical, easy-to-read,lots of great tools, tips and guides
Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them, by Helen Little, is a creative and practical book, full of innovative information, tips and tools on how to recruit, manage, train, evaluate motivate, and inspire volunteers. Ms. Little outlines the twelve basic needs of volunteers and shows step-by-step you how to meet those needs, ultimately helping you build and retain a successful "volunteer management team."

Anyone who has been involved volunteer management soon learns that volunteers work most successfully when the job is clearly defined and when volunteers clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. This book has lots of useful and infinitely usable examples, templates, and guidelines to help you you "hit the ground running," and successfully accomplish the goals and objectives of your program and/or organization. A "must read" (and an easy read) for anyone involved in the care and feeding of volunteers.

Terrific straight-forward approach.
This book is easy to read. It has great examples, templates and case studies. I found useful tools that readily adapt to our situation. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

He Answered All My Questions!
After researching every Peace Corps site on the net, I have finally began to continue my reading in local book stores and libraries. I read this book in one sitting and found many answers to the questions I had and even questions I hadn't considered yet. Sometimes the information gets a little redundant, but this book could have been a little better if Banerjee provided his readers with more personal volunteer stories. But all in all, if you have questions this book has plenty of answers and you won't walk away feeling like you wasted your money.

Should be mandatory reading before applying
My job is to work with college seniors who want to apply to post-graduation service programs like the Peace Corps. My office owns 4 copies of this book, and I constantly pass them out to students who are interested in applying to the Peace Corps. Students consistently say that it answered all of their questions AND all of the questions they didn't think of but wish they had.

One caveat: Banerjee mostly writes from his own perspective as a returned volunteer. The answers to most of the questions in this book are highly variable, depending on your country placement and job. While his answers are truthful, as a returned volunteer who went somewhere very different from Banerjee, I would answer many of the questions differently.

Practical, straightforward advice
This book is the only one of its type that I have found, and is a thorough resource for those considering joining the Peace Corps. Much of it is practical advice for when you are actually a Peace Corps Volunteer serving overseas. However, it can be quite useful if you are just considering joining, as it gives you a good look at the realities of serving in the Peace Corps.

I have read it cover to cover and still have many un-answered questions about life in the Peace Corps, but it did address many of my concerns in a realistic way. The question-and-answer format makes it exceedingly easy to read and find the answer to FAQ's of prospective Peace Corps Volunteers. However, I felt the book was too short and would have liked to know much more than was printed.

Overall, it's an excellent starting resource for anyone considering joining the Peace Corps, or those who have already joined and are waiting to leave for their assignment.

General questions answered here.
This book fills a certain need among Peace Corps applicants. Questions are typically answered with huge, sweeping generalizations within the PC world. Banerjee goes a long way in his attempt to quell the anxiety felt by anyone who has received, extensively, those vacuous responses. The problem is, however, that the life of a PC volunteer varies from one volunteer to the next. There is so much depending on your site, your country, and your personality that it is difficult to answer any one question without beginning to generalize as your recruiter or placement officer (or medical officer, or staging personnel, or...) has to do on a daily basis. It's just REALLY hard to answer any questions about PC life that will translate across the board to everyone. My suggestion: read the book. If you've had that nagging feeling that this is something you want to do, that you really want to join the Peace Corps, this book will not sway you either way. It might even answer some questions. But you know if you really want to go. So just do it. I'm speaking as someone who survived an evacuation and re-assignment. It will all work out.

Perfect
This book was purchased at the exact time I needed it-after I interviewed with my recuiter. Dillon did an excellent job of explaining what exactly I was getting into, how long it would take, and how to handle any snags along the way. Read it and then give it to your parents. ... Read more

Book Description

What business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social entrepreneurs are to social change. They are, writes David Bornstein, the driven, creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up -- and remake the world for the better.

How to Change the World tells the fascinating stories of these remarkable individuals -- many in the United States, others in countries from Brazil to Hungary -- providing an In Search of Excellence for the nonprofit sector. In America, one man, J. B. Schramm, has helped thousands of low-income high school students get into college. In South Africa, one woman, Veronica Khosa, developed a home-based care model for AIDS patients that changed government health policy. In Brazil, Fábio Rosa helped bring electricity to hundreds of thousands of remote rural residents. Another American, James Grant, is credited with saving 25 million lives by leading and "marketing" a global campaign for immunization. Yet another, Bill Drayton, created a pioneering foundation, Ashoka, that has funded and supported these social entrepreneurs and over a thousand like them, leveraging the power of their ideas across the globe.

These extraordinary stories highlight a massive transformation that is going largely unreported by the media: Around the world, the fastest-growing segment of society is the nonprofit sector, as millions of ordinary people -- social entrepreneurs -- are increasingly stepping in to solve problems where governments and bureaucracies have failed. How to Change the World shows, as its title suggests, that with determination and innovation, even a single person can make a surprising difference. For anyone seeking to make a positive mark on the world, this will be both an inspiring read and an invaluable handbook. It will change the way you see the world. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

The stories of these individuals can't help but inspire!
With examples from all over the world, Bornstein shows how social entrepreneurs relentlessly work to change societal conditions for the better. This book is a non-fiction page-turner because the stories are so alive. The social entrepreneurs fight government, personal, financial and technological obstacles to benefit sets of people, communities...and, it turns out, the world! The detail is presented in a way that is fascinating instead of tedious, yet lets readers know that social entrepreneurship involves diligence in the forming the ideas and initiatives as well as in execution.

This way to Change!
My takeaway from this highly inspirational book is: Dare to care. In a self-obsessed world, where the "I" reigns supreme, along comes a book that has the potential to change that for ever. I would be surprised if this book did not serve as a catalyst for all those people who are aching to leave their mark on the earth's future by altering the world for the better.

In How to Change the World, author David Bornstein presents short biographies of ordinary citizens who have cared enough to actually go out and change what is wrong in society. The nine stories of social entrepreneurs or innovators, dubbed 'transformative forces' by the author, have the power to inspire readers to want to do something. The fine examples of social entrepreneurship within the pages of this book make one realize that there is hope for the planet after all.

To quote Bornstein, "Across the world, social entrepreneurs are demonstrating new approaches to many social ills and new models to create social wealth, promote social well-being, and restore the environment." What is tremendously energizing is that so many of these change agents already exist and are moving mountains for you and me, and for our children.

The major contribution of the book is that it underlines that one doesn't have to be rich or powerful to alter the current reality. What is required is to feel empathy and concern in high doses, and to recognize and understand a problem. The stories trace how, if one is sufficiently charged, creative ideas for 'getting around' problem areas -- be it public apathy or bureaucratic indifference -- flow naturally. The hallmark of a true social entrepreneur really shines through at the next stage, when these ideas are converted into reality.

For Bornstein, these illuminating stories are merely the fireworks display. What he goes on to do is to distill for us the factors that ensure success of any venture -- the do's, the don't's, the must-watch-out-for's, the how-to's. Everything that you ever needed to know about entrepreneuring, but didn't know where to start, is in here. What is the citizen sector and what have been its achievements thus far? What are the qualities of successful social entrepreneurs? What is so cutting-edge about their work that makes their strategy stand apart? Are they really effecting a systems change as against providing band-aid? What are the Four Practices of innovative organizations? Whom do you turn to if you want to become a social entrepreneur?

Bornstein attempts to answer all these, and more. For the very first time ever, we have been given a viable, highly sophisticated blueprint for pattern-changing social action. Bornstein has done the world a service by putting this into the easy reach of anyone who has a conscience.

Policy makers should make note of the book as it offers insights on how to look at problems and problem solving. It is particularly enlightening to note that all the social entrepreneurs in the book have facilitated some form of cross-sectoral partnership, be it with municipal-level governing bodies, state-level government departments, or businesses.

The book also spotlights win-win models of strategic convergence between social good and businesses. Original and ingenious examples of the entrepreneurship process, and its effectiveness of strategy, could serve the business sector well.

For academia, the book throws up diverse areas of social and economic concern that beg a relook and analysis.

The media, saturated as it is with reports of a world gone horribly wrong, could infuse fresh hope and energy with incisive stories on the work of social entrepreneurs.

And for young people, who hold the keys to the world's future, this book is a must-read. At an age when cynicism is almost a virtue, it will inspire them, and hammer home the realization that there is an alternative route to getting meaning from life. By changing others' lives.

Compendium of social change initiatives
This book is a wonderful collection of stories about social entrepreneurs who were able to effect a change in their communities. Though not always 100% succesful, their stories illustrate that business, government, and social concerns do not have to be at odds with each other and in fact, they can often complement each other to bring about a greater good. For those in a corporate or academic setting, the chapters from this book could easily be excerpted and used as case studies for your organization. Highly recommended! If you liked this book, you should also read "Banker to the Poor" by Muhammad Yunus.

If you want real change in the world or your life, read this
David Bornstein's book How to Change the World is worth reading if you
a) prefer action instead of stagnancy
b) prefer good solutions instead of persisting problems
c) prefer justice and opportunity instead of poverty and neglect, or,
d) prefer good writing, period.

Bornstein accurately writes, "Anyone who has ever dreamt of solving a problem or making a positive change in his or her environment will find encouraging and instructive stories here." He takes us around the world to visit social entrepreneurs and find out what makes these people tireless fighters for their causes.

Each profile is like an episode of VH1's Driven - we see what inspires these people, how they overcome obstacles, and why they succeed - but instead of following a pop star to a record deal and a fleet of Escalades, we watch social entrepreneurs achieve rights for people with disabilities, compassionate home care for HIV / AIDS patients, and electricity for the rural poor. Unlike celebrities or CEOs, these folks have no interest in fame and fortune. We are lucky indeed that Bornstein has taken it upon himself to describe their efforts; they are far too busy pursuing their dreams of a better world to stop and promote themselves. Many advocate endlessly for their causes, but as Bornstein points out, they have in common a willingness to work quietly, to share credit, and to plow through their own savings and time to make progress. Social entrepreneurs have a greater attachment to finding solutions than to being right, rich, or recognized.

These and other common traits are highlighted throughout the book. We see that social entrepreneurs don't start with the perfect plan, they just have a complete commitment to solving a problem. Like a river they flow around obstacles of status quo, regulations, lack of funding, program design flaws, and changing needs, always adjusting and maneuvering to still reach their goals.

The book is especially appropriate now because:

1) Many people are questioning their ability to create change. No matter what your political leanings, it is easy to feel far from positions of power and authority. These profiles demonstrate that there is no stopping the power of a good idea in the hands of a passionate individual. Javed Abidi spent a year and a half lobbying for legislation that would ensure the rights of people with disabilities in India. With three days left of the government's session, the political parties were at an impasse. Abidi organized a protest of 300 people, got media attention, met with leaders, and the bill was signed into law. Abidi said, "India is a country where rallies of hundreds of thousands of people are not uncommon. Here was just a handful of people. But because they didn't stay home, it happened." Because Abidi called them, they didn't stay home.

2) Many people question the meaning and richness of their lives and careers. For people who are looking for a more rewarding and fulfilling sector, there is endless opportunity in being or supporting a social entrepreneur. Jeroo Billimoria was headed for a career in accounting, but when her father died she rethought her plan and moved into social work. Billimoria started Childline, a toll-free number that street kids in India can call for help. Former street kids answer the phones (learning skills through the work) and connect those in trouble with the agencies that can help them. Childline gets 1.5 million calls a year, and is spreading to 57 cities, and now, internationally. You could be another Jeroo Billimoria. Or one of the social workers who helped her. Or an employee who works in her program. Or a politician who is spreading her ideas. Or a donor who is funding them.

3) Many people are more aware of global problems. It's easy to get depressed upon realizing the widespread poverty, disease, and disadvantages that are so pronounced in the developing world. And it's easy to get even more depressed when you see that well-funded, top-down, international aid programs aren't really working. This book doesn't overwhelm with bleak statistics, but instead makes you realize that there are people with answers. You can be one of them, or you can help one of them, and that will make the difference. The book shows that this is a global phenomenon, and one that can be nurtured by global communication and access. Veronica Khosa didn't set out to change healthcare of AIDS patients globally. She wanted to help those who were not receiving treatment in her township in South Africa. Her homecare model was spotted by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, and is now being supported and replicated.

For those who are looking for real change, Bornstein offers this: "One of the most important things that can be done to improve the state of the world is to build a framework of social and economic supports to multiply the number and the effectiveness of the world's social entrepreneurs." The first step is to get this book.

A welcome explanation of revolutionary ideas
David Bornstein's new book How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas offers a superb introduction to the burgeoning field of social entrepreneurship, which has gained prominence in the past two decades but is still awkwardly explained. Rather than group radically different projects under the umbrella term "social entrepreneurship," Bornstein goes to the root and describes what makes a social entrepreneur. While well-known figures such as Florence Nightingale and Unicef head James P. Grant are described, most of the individuals profiled in the book are active, independent entrepreneurs found through the network resources of Bill Drayton's organization Ashoka: Innovators for the Public. Ashoka has broke new ground as a venture capital firm for social betterment, investing in carefully selected individuals and projects that promise long-term, sustainable returns - that is, positive social change - and more than any other organization promoting the ideas of social entrepreneurship around the globe.

It is telling that, on the surface, the entrepreneurs described have little in common. Vera Cordeiro, for example, grew up comfortably in the pampered upper strata of Brazilian society, while AIDS worker Veronica Khosa was orphaned at an early age in an impoverished village in South Africa. Fábio Rosa is a born tinkerer and engineer who built dams and irrigation systems in his backyard as a child, while Erzébet Szekeres was a mid-level tradesswoman who never considered the changing Hungary's treatment of the disabled until the birth of her disabled son. The variety of conditions and approaches Bornstein describes may appear bewildering at first, but in fact this breadth is perhaps most effectively drives the book's point home: Bornstein highlights the lateral thinking and tenacity of the entrepreneurs, who recognized and devoted themselves to solving problems others did not even acknowledge. Most of the entrepreneurs arrived at their methodologies through trial and error, never realizing at the time that others were engaged in analogous work in vastly disparate fields.

Many entrepreneurs conceive of projects in modular or franchise terms, eschewing top-down fixes by fiat. Creating a hotline and crisis center for street children in India and promoting rural electricity and irrigation in Brazil have little in common, but both Jeroo Billimoria and Fábio Rosa saw that sustainable, long-term solutions would have to incorporate local interests and involvement. In this way projects can maintain core principles while adapting to local circumstances and needs, and entrepreneurs who struggle for years with a particular local problem hammer out a replicable and portable model that spreads quickly. The results surprise Bornstein himself on occasion:

"When I read about [Tomasz] Sadowski's work, my first thought was that Ashoka had made a mistake. If ever there was an idea that was destined to remain local, this was it. How many stable, self-managed, partially self-supporting homes made up of former prison inmates, alcoholics, and homeless people can you have?

"The answer, as of early 2003, was twenty and counting."

Bornstein's writing is brisk and energetic, using a wry wit to strike a fine balance between the gravity of the work and the infectious energy of the entrepreneurs. This style of writing befits the entrepreneurs themselves, who do not dress up their language in niceties when bluntness is more effective. The reader is struck with both admiration and amusement, for example, reading how Indian disability activist Javed Abidi took advantage of physicist Stephen Hawking's visit to India to excoriate the government's reluctance to promote widespread disability access.

"I would be absolutely grateful to Dr. Hawking," Abidi told reporters, "if he would want to go to different parts of Delhi, like Janpath, Connaught Place, the public loo, and to any of the government offices or shopping centers and hotels and embarrass the authorities."

In this way the book avoids the pitfalls of excess piety and preachiness and instead reads like a collection of exciting and incredible life stories. Bornstein wisely lets the entrepreneurs' works and words speak for themselves whenever possible, and thus the book feels genuinely moving and inspirational rather than overwrought.

I would recommend this book to anyone involved in policy-making or curious about the global potential of individual action. The ideas discussed in the book appear to be gaining momentum on a global scale, not merely that social entrepreneurship is an idea whose time has come, but because selfless and driven social entrepreneurs are bringing the idea to our time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

These are indeed cynical times. But to hide behind the smugness of cynicism is a kind of self-imposed death sentence, explains writer and social commentator Paul Loeb. In fact, now is the ideal time for gathering all our strengths and wisdom as spiritual beings and applying ourselves to shaping a better world, he claims.

Are we talking social activism here? Well, yes. But before you cringe from images of shrill, humorless, burned out activists, keep in mind that Loeb is talking about a new kind of activism--an exciting, spiritual model for creating social change. We don't have to be pious or martyred saints (as he explains throughout one chapter), starving ourselves in the name of a cause or staging protests in freezing rain. We can be "good enough" activists, assuming the task of helping 10 people in need rather than taking on the globe. We can remember the power of storytelling when convincing an audience, rather than angrily spewing scary facts. We can replenish ourselves so that we do not burn out. We can emphasize themes such as community and forgiveness rather than separatism and blame.

This is a deeply spiritual book, but make no mistake: Loeb's writing, research, and integrity are as solid as they come. Soul of a Citizen may well become The Handbook for activism at the turn of the century. --Gail Hudson ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Soul of a Citizen is a great book
My husband and I have always wanted to help improve the world, especially on enviromental and sustainability issues. In the past we have felt overwhelmed to do anything. All issues appeared to big, the gov't too far away and unreachable.

Then we both read the book "Soul of a Citizen" by Paul Roget Loeb, we now know that our efforts do add up and make a difference. We are currently working on a letter writing campaign to get the Children's Enviromental Protection Act passed.

This is an excellent book. Read it today and start changing the world!

A Book that Instructs and Inspires My Students
I've been using Soul of a Citizen in my Sociology of Empowerment class ever since it came out. Students get it, respect it, and are even inspired by it. Loeb has over the years written outstanding books that are gems of insight and superb calls to action. With Soul of a Citizen, he has done it again.-Gordon Fellman, Professor of Sociology, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

inspiriation in a cynical world
This book is a must read! Anyone who cares in this time of apathy will be inspired and keep hope for a better world!

Little More Than Stories
While Loeb's work certainly demonstrates his dedication to service it lacks critical examination. Loeb repeatedly cites examples of amazing service and highlights compassionate people but fails to push his readers to think about the theoretical pieces behind the actions. Without critical analysis there is no reason to take this work serious. Additionally, Loeb entirely ignores working class people and the roles that they can play in service. The work is naive and generally fluff.

Duty, Obligation, and Responsibility
Regardless of one's ideology, political preference, or religious perspective, "Soul of a Citizen" serves as a reminder that service to others for humane involvement and action is the greatest of adventures. Though the stories to support his basic premise are numerous and never seem to stop they do, however, illustrate the creative, innovative, and compassionate involvement of people because it is the right thing to do. Loeb makes a point worthy of developing in more depth, that being, the transformative nature of civic and humanitarian involvement on the person given to the cause. It seems that being other-focused rather than self-focused has significant benefits for well-being and attitude. All in all, it is a book for one to search their own soul, and if you choose, go make the world a better place in spite of all the obstacles. ... Read more

Book Description

More than 100,000 people contact the Peace Corps every year, but only 3,000 are placed overseas. To help more Americans find volunteer opportunities abroad Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, and Zahara Heckscher-all founders of respected volunteer organizations-have written a guide that provides all the necessary information on volunteering in Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Presented in a user-friendly format that includes case studies, worksheets, and quotes from international volunteers, How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas provides college students, senior citizens, and everyone in between with information on:

* How to decide if volunteering overseas is for you
* How to choose the right program
* What to do before and after you go abroad
* Fundraising and financing
* How to be an effective volunteer
* Political and social contexts of Americans volunteering abroad
* The Peace Corps
* More than one hundred volunteer organizations
... Read more

Reviews (9)

FANTASTIC
This is a comprehensive REAL guide to what's available for international volunteering. If you are looking for an alternative to Peace Corp.....this is the DREAM book!

Amazing resource for anyone volunteering abroad
I just returned from a volunteering project to rural Kenya and I would not have been as prepared as I was without this book. This book is invaluable, it not only prepares you before you leave, it also helps you while you are abroad. The descriptions of the different organizations were very accurate. I defenitely recommend this book to anyone going abroad.

Invaluable
I am preparing to volunteer in Costa Rica and this book has been an amazing resource for me. It has encouraged me to write out my motivations and expectations for this trip. It has helped me think through how I can be an effective volunteer. Thanks to this book I feel more prepared mentally and emotionally and I feel more aware of what I am getting into.

Thanks for this excellent resource!

This Book is a Treasure
This book is a treasure. It is a good book for anyone in the age group of about 18-75 of any ethnicity, religion and socio-economic background. It addresses safety, among other issues, for women travelers. This book includes more than information one could find on the Internet about particular opportunities and organizations in any region of the world. It includes in depth studies as well as information for the person considering volunteering overseas to examine his/her motivations and come up with criteria to apply to choosing an organization as well as a location. In addition, this book discusses issues surrounding language barriers and how to overcome the obstacles as well as use the volunteer opportunity to become fluent in another language. This book makes a wonderful gift.

Really useful material for serving internationally
I take teams of people on international work projects every year. Presently I have a team going to Bosnia. The material presented in this book is insightful, accurate, practical and worth absorbing before working cross culturally. It is well written, very personal and engaging. Hats off to the contributors, authors, editors and publisher. It will get a lot of use. ... Read more

Book Description

In search of "the best America there ever was," bestselling author and award-winning journalist Bob Greene finds it in a small Nebraska town few people pass through today -- a town where Greene discovers the echoes of the most touching love story imaginable: a love story between a country and its sons.

During World War II, American soldiers from every city and walk of life rolled through North Platte, Nebraska, on troop trains en route to their ultimate destinations in Europe and the Pacific. The tiny town, wanting to offer the servicemen warmth and support, transformed its modest railroad depot into the North Platte Canteen.

Every day of the year, every day of the war, the Canteen -- staffed and funded entirely by local volunteers -- was open from five a.m. until the last troop train of the day pulled away after midnight. Astonishingly, this remote plains community of only 12,000 people provided welcoming words, friendship, and baskets of food and treats to more than six million GIs by the time the war ended.

In this poignant and heartwarming eyewitness history, based on interviews with North Platte residents and the soldiers who once passed through, Bob Greene tells a classic, lost-in-the-mists-of-time American story of a grateful country honoring its brave and dedicated sons.

Reviews (43)

A wonderful tale of dedication and human spirit
This is an incredibly beautiful story about a small town in Nebraska who turned a train depot into a "canteen" for service men travelling by train across the US during World War II.

Bob Greene intersperses tales from 60 years ago with a description of present-day life in North Platte. Once along a major passenger route of the Union Pacific railroad, the town in now just another exit off of the interstate. Passenger trains no longer travel through North Platte, but during the war, it was a different story. Although they weren't supposed to know the movement of troops, somehow the people of North Platte did find out when troop trains were due to arrive and from December 25, 1941 until April 1946 they met *every* troop train that stopped in North Platte. The train stopped only to take on water for the steam engine, so the soldiers had ten to twenty minutes. Women's groups from North Platte and other cities in Nebraska and even Colorado would meet the trains with baked goods, coffeee, magazines and a smile. Over 6 million soldiers passed through North Platte during the war years. Their brief time at the canteen remained a precious memory to them in times of battle and even years later, when thoughts of the canteen and the kindness they experienced there still brought tears to their eyes.

The stories of the men and women touch a deep place in the heart. One is left to wonder if this spirit of America is as long gone as the building that once housed the canteen.

A wonderful tale of dedication and human spirit. Keep a hanky handy.

A Gem: History + Heart
Don't be mis-led by the brown-on-brown cover and the uninformative title. This book is a small gem -- a rare combination of heart-warming story and solid history.

North Platte, Nebraska, is truly middle-of-nowhere. In the 1940's, however, thousands of people came through North Platte on cross-country trains. And during World War II, more than six million GI's came through North Platte on troop trains.

And here's the miracle.During the war, this tiny town transformed its modest depot into a canteen for soldiers, sailors and airmen passing through on the trains. With no government aid (President Roosevelt sent five dollars), people from the town met every train with baskets of home-made food, farm produce, good coffee and milk. They were "on duty" 24/7, as we would say today.

Train movements were supposed to be secret, but after awhile the railroad staff would spread the word. GI's, mostly teenagers dazed by their new world, remembered North Platte for the rest of their lives. Of course, most of the servers were women, and that was a gentler time. One local group made popcorn balls, with tiny pieces of paper holding names of local girls who could write to the men. Many friendships and at least one marriage resulted.

North Platte was a small miracle. The town became a legend among servicemen overseas. And it was truly a miracle born of its own time. It couldn't happen now, one of the aging residents said. Nowadays everyone would stay home and watch the war on television.
World War II buffs, admirers of Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation, and nostalgia fans would welcome this book as a holiday gift.

Uplifting
This story ranks as one of my favorite reads of this year. It is the touching story of how the author, Bob Greene visited North Platte to research and discover the history, truth and story of the North Platte Canteen. The narrative is filled with his own questions, reflections and details of this journey and the people in whom lives he crossed. So it's sort of two stories, his own, and the story of the Canteen. The Canteen was an ongoing service effort during WWII. A towns' attempt to feed and deliver warmth and friendsip to the wartime troops traveling through North Platte, Nebraska during those war years.

Since our family are regular volunteers for our communties' soup kitchen, (I'm in charge of the meal when it's our turn), the logistics of how they made this work, interested and humbled me. It makes my own efforts seem small.

Bob Greene asks some tough to answer questions here- Could any town do this again? How are our communties different now? Are they better as far as reaching out to one another, or are we becoming indifferent? What are the consequences to that? Some of these questions might seem in the way if you're merely interested in the stories of the soldiers who passed through. Or the many volunteers who sacrificed food, labor, and time in wartime when all of those things were in short supply. It is important that we note that this town pulled this off WITHOUT goverment support. Amazing since we now live in a time when we EXPECT support or hassle stores about donations for civic and school projects. KUDOS to the town of North Platte and Mr Greene.

Classic Midwestern Character on Every Page
Bob Greene captures the spirit of community and shared purpose endemic to the Midwestern United States. Mr. Greene is from Ohio and worked as a columnist at the Chicago Tribune. I too was raised in Michigan and Ohio, lived and worked in Chicago and travelled throughout the MidWest. I have lived in Boston for 20 years now and miss the sense of community of the Midwest captured in this book. (see also the book - "Bowling Alone" by Robert Putnam). Mr. Greene was fortunate to interview so many veterans of World War II. Many World War II veterans are passing away each day now and soon none will be around to interview. The nostalgia I felt while reading this book was not just nostalgia for a simpler time, for a World War cannot be a simpler time; but, for a time when sacrifice was shared among many and our communities watched over us. ajdjr73@earthlink.net

Memories of Small Town America
Having grown up in a small town, this book really hit home about how things have changed.... and not always for the better. The story of Noth Platte is remarkable simply based on the huge number of soldiers who passed through the Canteen when compared to the tiny size of the town's (and surrounding area's) population. Their generosity reflects the way things used to be - when we weren't so busy worrying about ourselves that we failed to see the needs of others.

This is a great book that will bring back memories for many adults, and should be a required reading for teens when learning about the sacrifices made during WWII. ... Read more

Book Description

The only book that addresses the top decision maker's role in a volunteer program. Illuminates what’s necessary for success, including vision and goals, policy questions, budgeting, staffing, employee/volunteer relations, the role of the board of directors, and assessing the impact of volunteer contributions.Contains information regarding legal issues and risk management; accounting for donated time; the effect of mergers; and special categories of volunteers, such as mandated community service participants. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An essential for anyone who works with volunteers
This book puts forth ideas and resources that are changing the ways people view, value and involve volunteers. It represents the growing profound shift in how organizations should think about volunteer contributions and support for those volunteers. If you are part of an organization that involves volunteers, whether or not you yourself work with them directly, this book is ESSENTIAL for your bookshelf. Written by one of the most respected authorities on volunteersim and volunteer management in the world, Susan Ellis outlines the key executive decisions necessary to lay the foundation for effective volunteer involvement: policies, budgeting, staffing, employee-volunteer relationships, legal issues, and the value of volunteers beyond financial. Prepare to be challenged, and prepare to have traditional ideas about what volunteers represent swept away. This is an empowering and practical read, and a book you will reach for again and again. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by the opening story of Representative John Kasich's Courage Is Contagious, in which he discusses his friendship with Bobby and Eric Krenzke, two preadolescent boys whose lives were cut short by the rare neurological order dystonia, but who always faced their fates with dignity and calm. "Seeing Bobby was never a matter of sympathy or doing him a favor," writes the Republican representative from Ohio. "It was one of friendship. If any favors were done, in fact, he did them for me. In Washington, I inhabit a world of compromise; back home, Bobby reminded me what real courage is." Kasich also writes about the Krenzke brothers in order to spotlight the efforts of the Special Wish Foundation, and in the other 16 profiles in this book he focuses on other people who are making a difference in the lives of fellow human beings because they sincerely believe it's the right thing to do. From Amber Coffman, a teenage girl who organized a program to provide the homeless with sandwiches, to Albert Lexie, a shoeshine man who has worked his trade at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh two days a week for nearly 20 years and donated almost $40,000 in the tips he's made there), the accounts in Courage Is Contagious are a uniformly inspiring work of human-interest journalism. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Um, I have dystonia..
I'm delighted he has written about TWO dystonia patients...but I want everyone to know that there are over 300,000 of us out here, and dystonia takes many different forms.Most of us do not die..but it would be wonderful to be able to have a bit of dignity when we go out in public! We're not monsters....in fact, the nastiest part of dystonia is that the people it afflicts are invariably of above average intelligence.

It takes Courage and a good editor
You get a big morale booster after reading this book (and also a guilty conscience!).The stories are very inspirational, and you realize how much better this world would be if everybody felt like these ordinary heroes.However, the writing style is quite simple, and takes away from the substance.This book needed a good editor to polish the style and give it more of a shine.

Celebrating Everyday American Heroes
In "Courage is Contagious," Republican Ohio Congressman - and author - John Kasich presents short stories of U.S. citizens who have performed extraordinarily to improve their communities and the lives of others. As Kasich says, "The most wonderful thing about the heroes in this book is that they are really just ordinary people who one day decided to act."

Congressman Kasich devotes sixteen chapters in his book to stories celebrating everyday American heroes. The book contains narratives aided with in-depth interviews that make the material lively and compelling.

Here are a few excerpts from the book's short story chapters: A selfless Maryland mother and daughter feed scores of homeless people each week in "The Happy Helpers."

"Something Had To Be Done" chronicles the story of a compassionate woman in New York who works to save the lives of children born with AIDS.

In "A Lump in the Throat," a restless retired physician recruits other medical professionals to treat people who do not have health insurance coverage.

Set in World War II Poland, "A Whisper From Above," recounts the courage of a teenage Polish Catholic girl (now an American citizen) who faced the horrors of the Nazis, and saved some lives of Jewish people.

"Courage is Contagious - Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the Face of America" is motivational, inspirational, and thought provoking. The book is relevant for everyone to learn what we can achieve as individuals in helping others and reshaping our communities.

An Outstanding Book About Extraordinary People
"This book is about heroes..." That is how Congressman JohnKasich begins his book "Courage is Contagious" Indeed Kasich's book isfilled with profiles of extraordinary Americans who take it upon themselvesto help others.The Americans profiled in Kasich's easy reading book couldbe your neighbor, co-worker, or even you.Their profiles tell the storiesof everyday people who take the time to help others, display unquestionableamounts of courage, and provide an inspiration to those who meet them.

Kasich's profiles include stories of Geoffrey Canada (author of FistStick Knife Gun) who crusades against violence, brothers Eric and BobbyKrenzke who suffer from a hereditary illness yet triumph in their life, ayoung girl who provides lunches for the homeless, a retired doctor whoprovides medical services to people who otherwise could not afford medicalcare, a holocaust survivor shares with younger generations the tragedy ofWorld War II, and many other stories of courage that will hopefully inspireand make you want to share this book with others.

If you enjoyed thisbook "Heroes After Hours" written by David C. Forward is another excellentbook profiling volunteers and programs that seem to succeed.

John Kasich answers the question "What can one person do?"
In Courage is Contagious, John Kasich answers the age old question - "What can one person do to make a difference?"In each chapter, John talks about a person who "dreamed things that never were and said'Why not?'"Each chapter tells about someone who felt they could nolonger let things stay as they are.That person went out and did somethingto make a difference.It doesn't matter if it was Albert Lexie donatingover $40,000 worth of tips from shining shoes to Children's Hospital inPittsburgh's Free Care Fund or Irene Gut Opdyke's saving Jews during theHolocaust.In each case, one person decided they could not accept thingsas they were and they did all they could to change our society for thebetter.

John Kasich shows just how much we all could do if we justtried.

This is a must read for anyone who wants to make our world just alittle better. ... Read more

Book Description

In this wise and inspiring book, social entrepreneur Bill Shore shows us how to make the most of life and do something that counts. Like the cathedral builders of an earlier time, the visionaries described in this memoir share a single desire: to create something that endures. The extraordinary people Shore has met on his travels represent a new movement of citizens who are tapping into the vast resources of the private sector to improve public life. Among them are:

-- Gary Mulhair, who has created unprecedented jobs and wealth at the largest self-supporting human-service organization of its kind, Pioneer Human Services of Seattle.

-- Nancy Carstedt of the Chicago Childrenís Choir, which provides thousands of children their first introduction to music.

-- Geoffrey Canada, who has made a safe haven for more than four thousand inner-city children in New York City, from Hell's Kitchen to Harlem.

These leaders, and many others described in these pages, have built important new cathedrals within their communities, and by doing so they have transformed lives, including their own. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A book for the ages.
Relying on anecdotes and his own experience as a philanthropic executive, Bill Shore has mapped out a new way for nonprofits to generate revenue -- by creating it. By forming corporate partnerships that "create" wealth rather than rely on charitable contributions, which aren't necessarily guaranteed and which represent someone else's money, nonprofits can generate new revenue and thus grow the community's ecomony. The author offers up profiles of some of those leading the charge and he outlines a general means through which charitable contributions and/or "community wealth" enterprise participation can also grow the soul. This is an important book that will be widely read by anyone wanting to make a difference in American society.

Building A Soul For Business
Perhaps the most important points that this book makes are 1) If you can't build the structure, add a few bricks! and 2) Community Wealth and Social Capital are re-inventing business from the soul out!

In this well-written book, Shore (Founder of Share Our Strength) uses the model of a cathedral to demonstrate that large dreams are community efforts that reach beyond personal lifetimes to accomplish, and that appear impossible until the collective brainpower of the community engages to find a solution. This metaphor addresses the "perfectionism" that sometimes stops people from making efforts towards social change. In the inspirational stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, readers feel the passion that rebounds of the pages. Echoing the human voice for meaning in an increasingly digital and isolated world, this book suggests practical ways for American wealth to be redefined, redistributed, and built upon foundations that include social interests. It is a blueprint for building ethics into today's business values and ventures that will create a social structure of community wealth.

I read it in one sitting, underlined heavily, and have placed 39 page markers within its covers. The inspiration found between its pages has helped me redesign my own business plan towards the greater good. In short, read it.

spectacularly vacuous
The actual content of the book can be summarized thusly: (1) spend more time with kids if you want to affect their development, (2) don't starve young children because otherwise they won't develop properly physically and mentally, (3) run your not-for-profit enterprise just like a for-profit corporation and with just as much of a zeal for profits, except that you can put the profits into your own pocket as salary instead of paying it out to a bunch of shareholders and to the Federales as income tax.

Padding these ideas out to 300 pages requires that the author tell you how famous his friends are, each and every one of them, and how much do-gooding his few non-famous friends have done. There are also long stories about the escapades of his 13-year-old son.

Never does the author address the issues raised in the subtitle, e.g., how does a person balance his or her life between charity and selfishness? Shore's definition of "giving something back" is working at a multi-million dollar tax-exempt organization and paying yourself $400,000 per year. Nice work if you can get it but what about the rest of us?

For a thoughtful look at the issue of personal charity read the novelist Nick Hornby's "How to be Good".

Right on the mark
This is a book that touches the heart of both important social issues and the reader. Written in a wonderfully open style the author writes from a perspective of sharing rather than preaching. Bill Shore's approach of tying his view of how the issues of today's society can be most effectively addressed to his personal experiences, rather than theory and conjecture, brings substantial credibility to his writings.
The issues addressed are those of scaling the resources of non-profit, public service, organizations to meet the growing needs of our society in the face of shrinking government resources. The notion of making non-profit organizations self-sufficient is well outlined and easily understood. "The Cathedral Within" is a book that left me feeling encouraged to know that there is not only room for improvemnt in our social structure but that it is being aggressively and effectively pursued.

Not just for non-profits
Bill Shore's enlightening book, "Transforming Your Life by Giving Something Back" is not just about non-profits. It provides insight into every part of human life. He spikes the book with advice about marriage, child care, and friendships. The book, in my opinion, has less to do with non-profits and more to do with living a great life. It is certainly a must read by anyone who cares about humanity. ... Read more

Book Description

"Joel Orosz has given us a rare gift at a critical moment. His book is a wise guide not only for the new program officer but also for the experienced grantmaker."
--Frances Hesselbein, chairman of the board of governors, The Drucker Foundation

"A book on grantmaking with the name of Joel Orosz attached to it has instant credibility in the foundation world.... Every grantmaker can learn from his example."
--Dorothy S. Ridings, president and CEO, Council on Foundations

"Foundation program officers inhabit a mysterious world that grantseekers strain constantly to understand. Joel Orosz has finally given us a glimpse into a world that may not be as strange and distant as we thought."
--Robert K. Goodwin, president and CEO, Points of Light Foundation

Unlike many formal professions, foundation grantmaking is a calling with no training programs and little definitive literature on the latest and best practices. Written for program officers and of considerable value to grantseekers, this volume is the first and only practical guide to making foundation grants and developing essential skills for effective and ethical grantmaking.

Author Joel J. Orosz not only introduces readers to the history, structure, and function of foundations in society but also explores the complex role that program officers play in their day-to-day activities. He provides real-world advice on a myriad of tasks--from meeting with applicants and reviewing their proposals to assisting the funded project and managing foundation initiatives. He also asks critical questions about this growing and evolving profession, such as "What kind of person should become a grantmaker?" and "How does one avoid the seven temptations of philanthropy?" Throughout the book, Orosz informs his lively, thoughtful discussions with his own considerable experience in grantmaking.

The Insider's Guide to Grantmaking invites readers to observe the world of foundations closely. It provides a useful overview for those new to the field, helps more experienced program officers to think more deeply about their work, and shares rich insights for the thousands of nonprofit leaders who pursue foundation grants. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I learned more than I already knew about my own job!
I've been a grantmaker for approximately five years now. During the course of my on-the-job training, I've heard certain maxims over and over again until they've become ingrained in my mind and in my responses to applicants for grant funds -- now, after reading this book, I actually understand the philosophies behind them.

Every grantseeker who bemoans the fact that foundations don't want to fund ongoing operating expenses should read this book simply for the explanation of the difference between charity and philanthropy and where foundations fit in.

Likewise, the tips on meeting etiquette, attributes of a good grant proposal, and top four reasons proposals are denied will benefit professionals on both sides of the proposal.

Had the opportunity to see the author speak -- if you get the same opportunity, don't pass it by.

An Outstanding Contributation
Dr. Joel Orosz continues his tireless efforts on behalf of philanthropy and those interested in philanthropy in his current book.

The Insider's Guide to Grantmaking is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in seeking funds from a foundation, or anyone interested in a career in a foundation. His years of experience give both experienced and inexperienced readers a window into a sometimes-shadowy world. Orosz lets the light shine in a way that is understandable and justifiable.

This long over due body of work is a must have for everyone in the third sector and especially should be required reading for those working in and leading foundations.

Don't give away another dollar until you've read this
It's an art, it's a science, and it doesn't need to be a mystery -- since there's no academic training for a career in philanthropy (it's harder than you think!) Insider Orosz bridges the gap with this warm and rewarding User's Guide.

Outsiders will read it for its clear-cut description of philanthropy worklife and practice; insiders will find themselves affirmed or inspired. Both will enjoy the author's mix of humor and scholarship. Sure to be a classic in its field.

A Much Needed Perspective
This is a much needed look at life in foundation grant making. As a retired executive director of a corporate foundation,books such as The Corporate Contributions Handbook and Corporate Social Investing were extremely helpful to the corporate grant maker. This book is a well-thought out look at foundation reality. While it is not meant to help those seeking grants, it certainly gives the donor a window on the inside process. It will serve as a good reference for those who wish to enter this field and provides sage advice to those who have been there for some time. The historical research was a plus. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Max De Pree, former CEO of Herman Miller and author of two bestselling books that look at business in a decidedly nontraditional manner, now turns his attention to nonprofits and the way they bring out the best in people. Leading Without Power: Finding Hope in Serving Community addresses the possibility of managing through inspiration rather than domination by drawing a distinction between "organizations" and "movements." While some may argue that his theories are a bit too touchy-feely, De Pree's successful corporate background proves that there is more to his ideas than mere rhetorical bombast. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wisdom for any leader who wishes to endure
De Pree presents a philosophy that while in many ways is timeless, is never a cliche. His emphasis upon people, their potential, and the elements present in strong, enduring organizations, will appeal to leaders working in any industry. De Pree offers the reader refreshing thoughts about the importance of service to others in an era of forgotten virtues. It is one of the most elegant and inspiring books I have come across lately.

Powerful Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations!
Max De Pree continues to bless us with his insightful books on leadership. In this book he helps us to realize that leading without power works best when it is a movement that is being led, and when leaders focus not on success, but on building a legacy. When we are trying to build a legacy we become competent in establishing and maintaining relationships. A true legacy establishes and sustains an enduring direction.

Leading without power includes a vision that is based on morale purpose and active virtue. Nonprofit organizations without the clear insight they received through empowering vision, fail to realize their potential.

When leading people without power, helping them see their spiritual calling in life is mandatory. Many people are not clear about this essential resource.

I enjoyed this book because I am a highly task-oriented person who prefers to begin my thinking from a left-brain prspective. This book challenged me to think about relationships, and to think from a right-brained perspective. Whether your preferences are tasks or relationships, left brain or right brain, you will find great hope in serving community as you allow the message of this book to transform your leadership style.

A great guide to leading with vision and not sight.
After having read "Leadership is an Art", and "Leadership Jazz", I didn't have an idea that this book would have such a significant impact on my thoughts. Working for a non-profit, this book is such a wonderful guide about what it takes to lead an organization that is more concerned about people and less about profit. This doesn't mean that profit is not important, but what the author does say is that there is a considerable amount of heart and soul that goes into the non-profit sector. I especially recommend the section entitled "What shall we measure." DePree looks at key indicators from a perspective that should be imitated by any company that really wants to captivate its customers and employees. The explanation about the difference between a "movement" and "organization" is also spectacular. A great guide for the future. ... Read more

Book Description

"Until now, we and other nonprofits had to find out the hard way–by trial and error–that garnering the energies of todays volunteers means answering their special needs. Thats where The Volunteer Management Handbook comes in, with helpful, practical, and proven solutions to the often overlooked problems of effectively managing volunteer efforts." – From the Foreword by Kathleen Behrens Executive Director, New York Cares

The VolunteerManagement Handbook

Drawing on the experience and expertise of recognized authorities on nonprofit organizations, The Volunteer Management Handbook offers the nonprofit manager a complete guide to establishing and maintaining an active and effective volunteer program. In one handy reference volume, the Handbook offers practical guidance on such essential issues as:

• Motivating people to volunteer their time and services
• Developing a detailed Volunteer Management Policy Manual
• Recruitment, orientation, and retention
• Training volunteers
• Recognition and reward systems for volunteers
• Volunteers and the law: liabilities, immunities, and responsibilities

Designed for all nonprofit and fund-raising professionals as well as volunteer leaders, The Volunteer Management Handbook is an indispensable reference that is unsurpassed in both the breadth and depth of its coverage. ... Read more

Book Description

Describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of professional managers to effectively involve volunteers in the work of organizations. Offers thorough guidance on how to perform key tasks such as staffing, recruitment, motivation, program evaluation, and managing relationships between paid staff and volunteers.

... Read more