The nonprofit sector has seen more diversity and change in the past 25 years than ever before, while there has also been an explosion of interest from across sectors in finding new solutions to social problems. We are in the midst of an entrepreneurial moment, as doers and makers have unprecedented access to crowdfunding and it has never been easier or cheaper to start a business or a foundation. And yet, often overlooked among these shiny new objects the flood of start-ups that spring up daily is the untapped potential of new ideas that can emerge from inside already established agencies, companies, and nonprofits. To build the capacity for innovation requires attention to building organizations and individuals who are ready and have the right tools to develop, implement, and sustain innovations. Innovation from Within provides a framework specific for nonprofits through the Nonprofit Innovation Model (IN Model). The IN Model guides leaders in developing and implementing innovation from within their own nonprofit organization. The time has come to get more people into the business of solving problems in extraordinary ways and to amplify the impact of the field of social innovation by bringing along the people who provide the bulk of services and impact. This book is the guide and a call to action for building that momentum. Innovation from Within is divided into two distinct parts to provide readers with an opportunity to think about the context of and concepts around social innovation before getting into the work. Part 1 is about redefining social innovation for the nonprofit context and Part 2 is about action. This book is meant to outline the social innovation environment and set the stage for innovation work within existing nonprofit agencies.

Unternehmungen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, die vor der Einfuhrung von Kleingruppenarbeit stehen, stellt sich im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen industriali sierten Landern in Europa und den USA die Frage nach dem "passenden" oder "richtigen" Konzept. Denn wahrend inzwischen weltweit die Kleingruppenaktivita ten durch die von Japan ausgehenden Quality Circles bestimmt werden, wurde hier bei der seit 1980 aufgekommenen Diskussion um Qualitatszirkel auch das zehn Jahre eher entwickelte Konzept der Lernstatt wiederentdeckt. Die Unternehmun gen stehen damit unter einem Entscheidungszwang: Entweder konnen sie den (ursprunglich japanischen) Quality Circle oder aber die (originar deutsche) Lern statt als mitarbeiterbezogenes Kleingruppenmodell implementieren. Je nach Perspektive und Intention der Verfasser erfolgen in der kaum mehr zu uberblickenden Literatur zu diesen neuen Formen der Kleingruppenarbeit un terschiedliche Ratschlage. Bei dieser Alternativendiskussion setzt auch die vorlie gende Arbeit an und kommt zu einer uberzeugenden Losung. Nicht eine kontro verse Entscheidung fur Quality Circle und gegen Lernstatt oder vice versa ist ange bracht, sondern ein Kleingruppenmodell, das die Vorteile beider Konzepte mitein ander verbindet. Aufgrund einer grundlichen Literaturanalyse entwickelt der Verfasser einen derartigen integrativen Ansatz der Kleingruppenarbeit. Mit einer schlussigen Ar gumentation weist er nach, dass die Alternativenfrage "Qualitatszirkel oder Lern statt" zu kurz greift und in die falsche Richtung zielen kann."

Imagine what having more advocates could do for environmental organization: more engaged volunteers, more political wins for conservation, more financial support, and more enthusiastic collaborations. The U.S. is fortunate to have people from many different cultures and ethnicities, yet so many of these good folks have not been invited to full participation in the green movement. Fool Willing is a playful, practical guide for welcoming and including all communities at the "green table." Putting a happy little kid, a salsa-dancing event planner, and Jane Goodall in the same room, Fool Willing would be what they would write together. Its light-hearted voice invites readers to bring playfulness and practicality as they make advances for people and the planet. Author and certified Martha Beck Life Coach, Kathy Oppegard helps people in environmental organizations bring communities into full participation in their organizations and volunteer teams. She has coordinated hundreds of volunteers for multiple events. Dig in and get ready to have more fun and be more effective as you grow your community in your green organization today!

"The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations, Second Edition, " is your complete road map to shaping public policy at the state and local level. It gives detailed, step-by-step instructions for developing an effective plan and putting it into action. With this handbook, you will discover how lobbying can help fulfill your mission; learn how to initiate, support, or defeat bills; develop effective lobbying skills; gather and mobilize support for your positions; learn how to use the media effectively; influence gov't administrators to back your policy positions; comply with state and federal regulations; and set up systems in your nonprofit to support lobbying.
In addition to updated worksheets, case studies, and resources, new material in the second edition includes nonprofit civic engagement and voter mobilization; designing the Policy Committee that works for your nonprofit; utilizing social media in your communications strategies; administrative advocacy: working with governmental agencies; and understanding the why, what and how of collaboration.