Book on Project Management for Nonprofits Wins 2015 Axiom Business Book Bronze Award
"Practical Project Management for Agile Nonprofits: Approaches and Templates to Help You Manage with Limited Resources" by Karen R.J. White has won the bronze award in the eighth annual Axiom Business Book Awards in the Philanthropy/Nonprofits category. The book shows nonprofit professionals how to use just-enough project management to engage volunteers and focus on completing critical projects successfully.
Palmyra, VA, May 13, 2015 --(PR.com)-- "Practical Project Management for Agile Nonprofits: Approaches and Templates to Help You Manage with Limited Resources" by Karen R.J. White has won the bronze award in the eighth annual Axiom Business Book Awards in the philanthropy/nonprofits category.
The book provides approaches and templates to help nonprofit professionals succeed in a world where transparency, efficiency, and sound business practices are required to respond quickly and efficiently to their ever changing needs.
These "agile" nonprofits have several defining characteristics – one of them is to address what White calls "the new volunteerism." Virtually every nonprofit relies in some measure on a volunteer workforce to support its activities. Agile nonprofits embrace those business practices that enable the best use of available volunteers. Agile nonprofits know how to:
-- Develop volunteer appeals that make it clear to the prospective volunteer what’s in it for them
-- Embrace the new generation, leveraging Facebook, virtual meetings, and other forms of social media
-- Connect with volunteers and volunteer providers in a manner that reinforces the mutual benefit of working together on common causes
-- Address the personal needs of volunteers – through public recognition, professional development, increased responsibility, networking access
-- Embrace business practices that enable the best use of volunteers
White says that "knowing what positions on what project teams or committees are best suited for a particular volunteer, knowing what that particular volunteer values and is skilled in, and knowing the importance of that project relative to the organization's strategic objectives is crucial to maximizing the benefits of that limited resource: an hour of volunteer time."
Fundraising is another area where agility is crucial for nonprofits. "All fundraisers are project managers," says Pamela Puleo, FAHP, CFRE, vice president for community affairs at New Hampshire's Concord Hospital, in the book's introduction. "Direct mail, special events, capital campaigns – these are all projects. The fundraiser's ability to apply project management techniques will improve effectiveness and outcomes."
What do these techniques consist of? According to White, careful attention up front in defining and planning the project (whether a special event, an appeal, or a volunteer search), timely monitoring of the progress of the project, communicating information about the project, and capturing lessons learned for the future are needed to prevent costly oversights and mistakes.
"Karen White knows the world of nonprofits," says Bethany Sullivan, former community executive with the Florida and New England Divisions of the American Cancer Society. "That knowledge combined with her expertise in project management come together in this book. Whether you're an executive, a development officer, or a volunteer, this book is a must read to ensure the successful planning of your next project."
About the Awards
The Axiom Business Book Awards are the largest and most respected critical guidepost for business books in today's new world of publishing. These prestigious and competitive awards are presented in twenty-one business categories and serve as the premier list to help readers discover new and innovative works. The awards are presented by Jenkins Group Inc., a Michigan-based book publishing and marketing services company.
About the Author
Karen White is the founder of Applied Agility, an organization focused on helping nonprofits achieve success with their strategic objectives. She has managed numerous projects for small and large nonprofits and is the author of Agile Project Management: A Mandate for the 21st Century.
About Maven House Press
Maven House Press publishes books for business professionals to help them lead their organizations to greatness in unpredictable and fast moving times. For more information, cover or author photos, visit mavenhousepress.com/media-room.
The book provides approaches and templates to help nonprofit professionals succeed in a world where transparency, efficiency, and sound business practices are required to respond quickly and efficiently to their ever changing needs.
These "agile" nonprofits have several defining characteristics – one of them is to address what White calls "the new volunteerism." Virtually every nonprofit relies in some measure on a volunteer workforce to support its activities. Agile nonprofits embrace those business practices that enable the best use of available volunteers. Agile nonprofits know how to:
-- Develop volunteer appeals that make it clear to the prospective volunteer what’s in it for them
-- Embrace the new generation, leveraging Facebook, virtual meetings, and other forms of social media
-- Connect with volunteers and volunteer providers in a manner that reinforces the mutual benefit of working together on common causes
-- Address the personal needs of volunteers – through public recognition, professional development, increased responsibility, networking access
-- Embrace business practices that enable the best use of volunteers
White says that "knowing what positions on what project teams or committees are best suited for a particular volunteer, knowing what that particular volunteer values and is skilled in, and knowing the importance of that project relative to the organization's strategic objectives is crucial to maximizing the benefits of that limited resource: an hour of volunteer time."
Fundraising is another area where agility is crucial for nonprofits. "All fundraisers are project managers," says Pamela Puleo, FAHP, CFRE, vice president for community affairs at New Hampshire's Concord Hospital, in the book's introduction. "Direct mail, special events, capital campaigns – these are all projects. The fundraiser's ability to apply project management techniques will improve effectiveness and outcomes."
What do these techniques consist of? According to White, careful attention up front in defining and planning the project (whether a special event, an appeal, or a volunteer search), timely monitoring of the progress of the project, communicating information about the project, and capturing lessons learned for the future are needed to prevent costly oversights and mistakes.
"Karen White knows the world of nonprofits," says Bethany Sullivan, former community executive with the Florida and New England Divisions of the American Cancer Society. "That knowledge combined with her expertise in project management come together in this book. Whether you're an executive, a development officer, or a volunteer, this book is a must read to ensure the successful planning of your next project."
About the Awards
The Axiom Business Book Awards are the largest and most respected critical guidepost for business books in today's new world of publishing. These prestigious and competitive awards are presented in twenty-one business categories and serve as the premier list to help readers discover new and innovative works. The awards are presented by Jenkins Group Inc., a Michigan-based book publishing and marketing services company.
About the Author
Karen White is the founder of Applied Agility, an organization focused on helping nonprofits achieve success with their strategic objectives. She has managed numerous projects for small and large nonprofits and is the author of Agile Project Management: A Mandate for the 21st Century.
About Maven House Press
Maven House Press publishes books for business professionals to help them lead their organizations to greatness in unpredictable and fast moving times. For more information, cover or author photos, visit mavenhousepress.com/media-room.
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mavenhousepress.com
Jim Pennypacker
610-883-7988
mavenhousepress.com
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