The Challenge of Change
By Philip Coltoff; 125 pages; published by The Children's Aid Society
Philip Coltoff spent forty years working with the Children's Aid Society in New York City, serving as its leader for almost 25 of those years. There is no question that he knows about nonprofit leadership and the challenges of change. But his book isn't just another how-to guide for nonprofit executives; it's a history lesson about the evolution of the charitable sector; it's a memoir of Coltoff's days at the helm of one of the oldest and most well-known institutions in the United States; it's a love letter to the social services sector he dedicated his life to. And it is filled with wisdom and insight that could only come from someone who has been there.
Nonprofit executives, board members, and those hoping to one day fill the role will benefit from Coltoff's observations and advice about everything from strategic planning and fundraising, to working with volunteers, cultivating diversity, and achieving work/life balance. His straightforward, conversational style is highly readable, and his tales from the trenches help to illuminate the important lessons he learned along the way.
If you are craving something more than the latest and greatest management guide; if you want someone to tell you how it really is, then pick up a copy of The Challenge of Change and follow Philip Coltoff on a trip down memory lane that may very well lead to a brighter future for your own organization.
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