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Board Development Self-Guided Workbook Series*:

Board Building: recruiting and developing effective board members for not-for-profit organizations

Want to get the best people on board, and keep them there? Recruit and develop skilled and committed leaders for your nonprofit organization. Consider board member responsibilities, expectations and motivation. Target volunteers with appropriate qualities and learn more about retaining them through effective orientation, training, recognition and evaluation.

The BOARD DEVELOPMENT workbook series has been developed by the Board Development Program, Volunteer Services Branch, Alberta Community Development, and has been published by The Muttart Foundation and Alberta Community Development.

Cost: $15.00 plus GST

Special Offer: Buy 5 or more Board Development books for $40.00 (plus GST).
That's a 20% savings

I've got the job, now what am I supposed to do?

Write effective and comprehensive job descriptions for every member of your board. Clarify roles and responsibilities so that your volunteer works more fairly and efficiently. Includes suggestions for executive positions, committee chairpersons, and general board member duties.

The BOARD DEVELOPMENT workbook series has been developed by the Board Development Program, Volunteer Services Branch, Alberta Community Development, and has been published by the Muttart Foundation and Alberta Community Development.

Cost: $10.00 (plus GST)

Special Offer: Buy 5 or more Board Development books for $40.00 (plus GST).
That's a 20% savings

Drafting and Revising Bylaws

Yes, but what does it all mean? Navigate the challenging world of organizational bylaws. Translated from "legalese" to everyday language, this step by step approach makes developing or revising bylaws easier than you ever thought. Also contains information about incorporating as a nonprofit society in Alberta.

Cost: $10.00 (plus GST)

Special Offer: Buy 5 or more Board Development books for $40.00 (plus GST).
That's a 20% savings

Financial Responsibilities for Boards

Is keeping the accounts of your Not-for-Profit organization keeping you awake at night?

Then this edition of the highly successful BOARD DEVELOPMENT workbook series is for you! This book will guide you through the maze of financial management. It transforms a confusing list of numbers into helpful information. The financial responsibilities of a not-for-profit organization are clarified. Budgets, book keeping and reading the financial statements are presented in a simple step-by-step format. Also featured is a financial management checklist.

The BOARD DEVELOPMENT workbook series has been developed by the Board Development Program, Volunteer Services Branch, Alberta Community Development, and has been published by the Muttart Foundation and Alberta Community Development.

Cost: $10.00 (plus GST)

Special Offer: Buy 5 or more Board Development books for $40.00 (plus GST).
That's a 20% savings

Hiring and Performance Appraisal of the Executive Director

Hiring and appraising the executive director of a not-for-profit organization are big jobs. Many competent and effective boards approach these jobs with a sense of fear and trepidation. They know the choice of an executive director has far-reaching consequences for the health, viability, and future of the organization, so it is important to select the most appropriate person. As well, they know that sound management of the performance of the executive director is essential for making sure that the organization is meeting the goals that the board has set. This workbook is designed as a guide for boards of directors who are in the process of hiring a new executive director and/or providing the executive director with a performance appraisal. The workbook is divided into four parts:

The Organization's Foundations
The Executive Director's Mandate
The Hiring Process
The Performance Appraisal Process

The BOARD DEVELOPMENT workbook series has been developed by the Board Development Program, Volunteer Services Branch, Alberta Community Development, and has been published by the Muttart Foundation and Alberta Community Development.

Cost: $10.00 (plus GST)

Special Offer: Buy 5 or more Board Development books for $40.00 (plus GST).
That's a 20% savings!

Muttart Fellowship Publications:

Accreditation of Child Care Centres
by Margaret Anne Golberg

With the establishment of consistent quality criteria, child care providers are given a tool to measure and improve service delivery. Parents are offered an opportunity to make an informed choice as child care consumers. Community dollars can be invested wisely in programs that ensure positive outcomes for children. ( p. 1)

What is accreditation and what constitutes quality child care? This exploration of childcare in Alberta proposes an accreditation system that establishes quality criteria to ensure good programming while giving parents, the community and government the information needed to make informed decisions.

Softcover, 63 pages, published 1999

Cost: $10.00 (plus GST)

Board and Executive Director: developing and nurturing an effective relationship
by Kelly Sloan

Has the Board of Directors or Executive Director in your organization ever been frustrated by the rocky and troublesome relationship with each other? This book identifies key factors for creating a successful relationship and provides questions that Boards and Executive Directors can use as a starting point for discussing their relationship.

In addition to a comprehensive literature review, Kelly Sloan interviewed seven different organizations who have a self-described successful relationship. Common themes emerged that are critical to the success of a relationship: trust and respect, job functions that support each other, ED/Board Chair strategies, organizational climate and effectiveness, certain leadership qualities, and emotional intelligence.

The book contains practical strategies to implement in these areas as well as a list of resources relevant to the subject. This book and its findings will be of interest to any volunteers or staff working in the non-profit sector particularly Executive Directors and Board of Directors.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Competition in the Voluntary Sector: the case of community-based trainers in Alberta
by Walter J. Hossli

The 1990s have seen tremendous changes in the delivery of social services. This book explores one significant trend, the increased competition between agencies, specifically in Alberta, and how it affects those who deliver employment and self-employment training, the community-based trainers.

The author highlights key competitive activities voluntary agencies now undertake to provide their services in the current environment. He explores the changes in funding, programming, administration, and more as agencies increasingly adopt a business model to survive. Recommendations aimed at alleviating some of the negative aspects of this new reality are made for funders, service providers, and stakeholders.

Cost: $10.00 (plus GST)

Conversations About Capacity Building
by Joanne Kidd

In the late 90s, funders began to recognize that grants made to nonprofits with a narrow project focus did not always achieve the anticipated results and that neglect of infrastructure often meant organizations could not sustain their best ideas. This led these funders to re-focus on what became known as "organizational capacity building."

Joanne Kidd saw that much of the work of Executive Directors was about building organizational sustainability and the capacity required to achieve it. At the same time, she saw the terminology being used in different ways and believed the various players could be working at crossed purposes. She talked with both Executive Directors and funders to find out what each believed "capacity building" to mean, what each would see as the characteristics of full "capacity," and what it would take to reach that place.

Conversations about Capacity Building reports on those discussions, and compares the various viewpoints with current literature on ways to achieve organizational effectiveness and high performance. It includes a list of resources for those who wish to analyze their own organizational strengths and weaknesses in order to find ways to increase organizational sustainability and the effective achievement of organizational mission. The work will be of greatest interest to those in a governance or management role in a nonprofit, or to the funders who help to sustain the work of these organizations.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Cultures at Work: intercultural communication in the Canadian workplace
by Ana Maria Fantino

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Daunting Tasks, Dedicated People: stories in the management of change in HIV/AIDS organizations
by Sherry A. McKibben

As Executive Director of HIV Edmonton, Sherry McKibben managed a change process that was incredibly difficult and never really came to a conclusion. She learned that highly skilled staff and organizations can become bogged down in the politics of prioritizing demands with diminishing resources.

This book provides discussions regarding change, primarily in AIDS service organizations. It presents material and ideas that will help increase our understanding of the dynamics of change and the management of change in HIV/AIDS work and in the third sector in general.

McKibben held open-ended interviews with colleagues in human service organizations in Canada and the United States. The material in this book reflects these individuals' experiences with change within their organization.

253 pages. Softcover. This book is published by The Muttart Foundation, from The Muttart Fellowship Projects

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

The Garden Patch: an organic approach to planning for the voluntary sector
by Anne E. Campbell

Individuals, boards and community groups who want to start and implement a strategic plan will be interested in this book which examines the challenges and opportunities impacting the voluntary sector. It provides some fresh ideas and planning methodologies. The book covers such concepts as holding the public trust, creating a civil society and the importance of the voluntary sector understanding its role and viability within the fabric of Canadian society.

Anne Campbell examines the essential elements preceding strategic planning and suggests methods for how to complete these important pieces of work. These essential elements include engaging in strategic thinking and asking strategic questions; vision and mission processes; and the development of guiding principles and ethical codes of practice.

Four planning methodologies are described with the bibliography extending the scope of the book by including additional resources, workbooks and useful websites. Anne Campbell said, "One of the realities I faced in research was sifting through the plethora of materials on strategic planning to provide some useful models and fresh thinking on organizational change and strategic planning." She has provided an excellent guide for all those interested in engaging in strategic planning.

167 pages. Softcover. This book is published by The Muttart Foundation, from The Muttart Fellowship Projects

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Igniting Young Minds and Spirits: youth governance
by Wayne Wiens

After working for a number of years with organizations serving youth and children, Wayne Wiens noticed that too often the youth had no input into the very programs that were designed to serve their needs. If there was input, it was informal, indirect, and from a position of powerlessness.

"Children and youth need a voice in the organizations that serve them," says Wiens, "there are a lot of structured ways of providing youth with that voice."

Often nonprofit organizations are too overwhelmed by providing their service to be able involve young people in the governance of the organization. Starting from the perspective of a small nonprofit organization, Wiens identifies barriers and challenges youth input. He identifies steps in developing youth development campaigns, and offers models of youth participation in governance.

This informative booklet will help nonprofits of any size take steps towards including children and youth in planning programs and developing policies.

Cost: $10.00 (plus GST)

Improving Health Status Through Inter-sectoral Cooperation
by Dr. John H. Hylton

This book is about the determinants of health status ‑‑ that is, what makes some populations healthier than others. It reviews recent literature about the determinants of population health status and points out that health depends on much more than the availability of formal health services.

The importance of income, education, social supports and other social and economic determinants of health are discussed. Interestingly, these are areas that are traditionally viewed as outside the mandate of the formal health system, but they are also areas where community‑based, volunteer organizations have a long and distinguished history of commitment and success.

The book suggests that if we are really interested in improving the health status of Canadians, we ought to look more closely at ways the formal health system can work much more closely with community‑based, voluntary organizations. A number of specific strategies for cooperating across sectors are discussed, and case studies where these techniques have been utilized are reviewed.

169 pages. Softcover. This book is published by The Muttart Foundation, from The Muttart Fellowship Projects

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Letters to (not always of) Joy
by Bob Wyatt

The Foundation is pleased to publish its executive director's Muttart Staff Fellowship monograph. Mr. Bob Wyatt's monograph, Letters to (not always of) Joy, argues in favour of a strong national umbrella organization to advance the work of the voluntary sector.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Partnerships: profits and not-for-profits together
by Martha Parker

"My interest in the (Muttart) fellowship was motivated by my desire to learn more about the changing nature of corporate philanthropy in Canada and the noticeable shift to strategic giving."

Partnerships and strategic alliances between corporations and not-for-profits are becoming a more common element in giving, with altruism and self-interest blending to include "more than money." Distinctive relationships are replacing cheque book philanthropy, and are involving key stakeholders of both not-for-profits and companies. Corporate employees are engaged in the mix, sharing knowledge and expertise held by both partners, and moving towards alliances focused on solutions for community issues that are of mutual concern.

This book includes detailed case studies, rationale for change, the evolution of leading corporations and not-for-profits, plus reflections and learnings.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Radical Relatedness: exploring the spiritual dimension of family service work
by Michael McKernan

Family service work has, at the heart of its mission, the urge towards community. The richest sense of what we offer our clients is an experience of meaningful connection with themselves; with the community of family, friends and fellow workers; and with society in general. Resolution of distress is in the restoration of experience of belonging to oneself, to others, to the world as a whole. p. 2

This book allows readers to join the author in an exploration of the spiritual dimension of family service work. The research took the author to many locations around the world during his year as a Muttart Fellow and introduced him to a rich array of traditional and non-traditional spiritual perspectives. These perspectives have something rich to offer the day-to-day practice of social work. The book includes discussions on the value of spirituality as it relates to social work practice and the concepts and language used to address the emotional and intellectual baggage that has marginalized spirituality in social work. It identifies applications to client service and to management and leadership in the non-profit sector. It also demonstrates how the globalization of human struggles and experience has resulted in a dramatic rise in public interest in spirituality that has significance for the profession.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Responding to Diversity
by Maureen Collins

People involved in community service work, in either a paid or volunteer capacity in 'mainstream organizations', will welcome this workbook. It is a personal, thoughtful and action oriented reflection on the author's journey as she facilitated an organizational change process of responding to diversity. Using the particular approach of Just Therapy as the framework, the author covers concepts of working with, developing meaningful partnerships, reciprocity and sharing power.

This workbook can be used as a tool by individuals for personal reflection or by working groups to focus discussion. The workbook is of value to groups who are just starting to think about how to address issues of diversity in service work and to those who already have experience. Like an onion, questions are multilayered and can provoke a deep conversation.

Maureen Collins said, "Though Responding to Diversity is about personal learning and organizational change, it is really about seeking transformational change in our organizations and our community." She has created an excellent tool for those who want to bring their heart and spirit to any discussions and planning about diversity.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Sermons for the New Millennium
by Martin Garber-Conrad

This collection of essays explores issues related to the non-profit sector at the dawn of the 21st Century. Heated discussion of the future accompanied the end of the last millennium and historical perspective was in short supply. The chapter "Does Size Matter?" summarizes the non-profit sector in Canada and its contribution to contemporary society, and highlights some of the gaps in our knowledge and conceptual framework.

Other chapters deal with social entrepreneurship, and with myths and dreams that frequently arise in the sector. "Contracting out" is another theme that is treated at length, based on the experience of organizations in New Zealand during the 1990s.

The emphasis in the book is the practical-what ideas can provide perspectives that can be used here and now? Its light, sometimes humorous style makes it a pleasure to read and its insights are valuable and timely.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Social Enterprise: philosophy, processes and practicalities
by Shelley Williams

Each organization is different and develops an enterprise for a variety of reasons. Six phases of social enterprise provide a "recipe" that should be adapted to meet your organizational goals and preferences. (p. 37)

Has your organization thought about diversifying its funding base? Have you been told by other funders that you need to diversify your sources of funding? Was one stream you considered social enterprise but you did not even contemplate it as it seemed an overwhelming task?

Shelley Williams takes a thorough look at the pros and cons of nonprofit organizations going into revenue generating endeavors. Using a handy workbook format, she leads the reader through the process of first deciding if business is good for the organization. And then, if it is, she outlines the steps an organization needs to take from start to finish in order to achieve an entrepreneurial operation. Readers will appreciate the no-nonsense, easy to read approach Williams takes with this timely topic. She includes a detailed bibliography for further reference.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Transitions: the art of implementing positive change
by Karen Bruce

Transitions introduces a new change model that focuses on four foundational building blocks: Window of Opportunity, Leadership, The Human Side of Change and Reflections. The concepts are introduced through a fictional group of characters that are working through a controversial merger of two nonprofit organizations.

Based on real life interviews conducted by the author and a Doctoral Candidate, the story introduces the reader to the challenges facing a Chairman of the Board, an Executive Director and a Program Coordinator as they grapple with the difficult task of introducing a major change initiative while garnering support from reluctant stakeholders. The emotional difficulties of dealing with personal reluctance to change, system and process issues, staff concerns, diverse stakeholder interests and community needs are explored through the interaction of the characters.

As well, various theories of change from renowned business leaders are introduced to the reader by a fourth fictional character that weaves the theories through the story in a series of e-mails. Each chapter ends with one more of the foundational building blocks being introduced until the entire change model is revealed.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Weaving Through the Community: becoming a responsive board
by Lindsay Ann Cooke

Providing background to the non-profit sector and examining ways that a board can gain an in-depth understanding of the community it chooses to serve, Weaving Through the Community makes the case that non-profit boards are an important component of a healthy society where citizens participate in a meaningful way.

The book examines the motives of people who choose to volunteer as board members and suggests that though there may be many reasons, some altruistic and some self-serving, board members who try to understand the concept of the "Servant Leader" will be the most successful in governing their organization.

The duties that a board must address to ensure good governance are provided along with additional ideas on how to become an "inspired" board. A must for any board member who wishes to challenge assumptions, explore new ideas and become a catalyst of change.

Cost: $10.00 (plus GST)

Winter's Children: the emergence of children's mental health services in Alberta 1905 - 2005
by Germaine M. Dechant

From the very inception of Alberta as a newly established province, the emergence of children's mental health services has been a tale of hope and disappointment, a saga of courage and conviction to overcome almost insurmountable odds. Evolving from a focus on juvenile delinquency, meager services weathered depressions, eugenics, world wars, epidemics and oil crises in the struggle to help some of our province's most vulnerable children and families.

In Winter's Children, Germaine Dechant takes you through 100 developmental years of children's mental health services in Alberta. The first book of its kind, it provides a comprehensive look at the triumphs and tragedies, enlightened approaches, as well as lack of commitment to action that have shaped the field of children's mental health to this day. A critical examination of historic medical, social, economic and political environments, Winter's Children is required reading for students, medical, psychology and social work practitioners, nurses, teachers, policy makers and members of the general public seeking a better understanding of the powerful forces that continue to shape this important area of child health.

This concise and rewarding read is not only a valuable reference, but an engaging account of children's lives in the first century of Alberta as a province.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

Assorted Publications:

Best of All: the quick reference guide to effective volunteer involvement
by Linda L. Graff

Linda's latest offering is a compendium of best practices in volunteer coordination. Described as an "abundance of tips with a minimum of words," BEST OF ALL is a powerful tool for helping your volunteers to contribute their very best through your programs. BEST OF ALL is sure to become the essential desk reference for busy people who don't have the time to search through libraries of literature for solutions to their volunteer program shortcomings.

Linda Graff And Associates Inc. 2005. Spiral bound, 169 pages, 6 1/2" x 9"

Cost: $35.00 (plus GST)

Better Safe ... risk management in volunteer programs and community service
by Linda L. Graff

Linda has been workshopping this subject throughout North America and into Europe for a decade. She's written countless articles about risk management and finally has produced the essential source book for managers of volunteers and community service managers. Loaded with tips, checklists, sample forms, and hundreds of time-saving, common sense, affordable strategies, this book walks you through the process of risk management step-by-step. Better Safe... demystifies risk management and sets out in plain language what every volunteer and community service program needs to know about this sometimes scary, always pressing subject.

Linda Graff And Associates Inc. 2003. Spiral bound, 200 pages, 6 1/2" x 9"

Cost: $35.00 (plus GST)

Beyond Police Checks: the definitive volunteer and employee screening guidebook
by Linda L. Graff

Beyond Police Checks is a comprehensive "how to" manual on volunteer and employee screening. This definitive new resource helps employers understand screening responsibilities and provides specific details on how to carefully choose screening methods matched to the requirements of any given position. Loaded with practical tips, helpful cautions, and fully reproducible checklists and assessment tools, this comprehensive guidebook will lead you step-by-step to increased screening effectiveness and program safety.

Cost: $35.00 (plus GST)

By Definition: policies for volunteer programs
by Linda L. Graff

A North American best-seller, By Definition covers policies and policy development for volunteer programs and is written for managers of volunteers and board/senior management in organizations which operate volunteer programs. The manual discusses and provides samples of policies in over 70 different topic areas, including the following: communicable diseases; conflict of interest; progressive discipline and firing; responsibilities of board members; sexual harassment; strike; insurance; screening; ; confidentiality; anti-racism.

Cost: $25.00 (plus GST)

Funding Sources for Edmonton's Non-profit Sector 2010-2011
by RCVO

This helpful guide provides the most up-to-date criteria and detailed information on local funding sources to help searchers find the most likely and appropriate sources of funding for their organizations.

It covers municipal and provincial government grants, programs and foundations; corporate funders; and private, community and public foundations. Also included in Funding Sources is an extensive bibliography to aid further research into fundraising topics.

Cost: $15.00 (plus GST)

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