Not-for-Profit PolicyPro
By Jeffrey D. Sherman and Stephanie F. Smith; published by First Reference
September 22, 2008
You're passionate about your cause, and you've identified some likeminded supporters to join you in starting a new nonprofit organization. Now what? Do you incorporate first? Apply for charitable status? Write your bylaws? Begin fundraising right away? Creating a policies and procedures manual probably isn't at the top of your list, but it should be! The policies you design will guide the operation of your organization, while the procedures will explain how to implement those policies effectively. But the task of creating such a manual can be daunting.
While there are lots of resources out there to help you get started, there hasn't been a comprehensive guide available to small and medium-sized organizations until now. Not-for-profit PolicyPro is exactly the right tool to assist new and established nonprofits in developing their own policies and procedures. It has chapters dedicated to corporate administration, governance, advocacy and public policy, financial management, and human resources. Each section includes a thorough primer on the topic at hand, plus ready-to-use policies that can also be customized using the PolicyPro software that comes with the book.
The authors did an excellent job of conveying the most important elements of running a nonprofit organization, and all within a Canadian context. And while the cost of the package is almost $400, which can seem steep to a small grassroots group, it is still a great value considering what it would cost to hire a consultant to help with the process. Founders, board members, executive directors, and employees will benefit greatly from the information provided in this book. As for the extensive collection of customizable policies, there is no question they will save you countless hours of time and effort when developing your own policies and procedures manual. And of course, the value of having such a manual and keeping it up to date will be priceless to your organization and its stakeholders.
Buy the book:
First Reference Inc.
