Exposing the Elephants: Creating Exceptional Nonprofits

By Pamela J. Wilcox

Book Overview

Go Beyond "Business As Usual" with Your Nonprofit "At last--the 'real truth' about nonprofit management In Exposing the Elephants, Wilcox reveals the 'pesky pachyderms' that block our way to full effectiveness. How often have we grumbled that 'just because you're a insert profession here], it doesn't mean you know how to run a nonprofit'? With clarity, passion, and sly humor, Wilcox validates that perspective and many others--but doesn't let us get away with just accepting the presence of the elephant in the room. Wilcox summarizes complex issues using recognizable examples and then offers sensible strategies for resolving them. Ultimately, she gives us permission to do the right thing(s). I love this book--and I can't wait to start implementing the 'elephant solutions' " --Nancy Perkin Beaumont, CAE, Executive Director, Society of American Archivists "Before I finished reading Exposing the Elephants, I met with my key staff to talk about what we must change. I also shared what I learned from reading the book with a friend who sits on several different types of boards. Wilcox says it like it is--and it needs to be said--in every nonprofit organization." --Julie Donovan, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity, Lake County, Illinois "A remarkably candid, fresh, and witty analysis of the challenges inherent in managing nonprofits. Insightful and pragmatic solutions to overcoming the 'white elephants' so prevalent in the nonprofit culture. A 'must read' for every nonprofit CEO and board member." --Dick Yingst, President & CEO, Financial Managers Society, Chicago, Illinois "Pam Wilcox is willing to say the things that nonprofit professionals often do not wish to hear. She reveals through clear language and flowing style the significant barriers that nonprofits face and need to remove for not just success but also excellence. Unlike many authors who point out what is wrong with nonprofits, Wilcox shows us the way to tackle our most intractable issues and move to excellence. This book should be read by any and everyone involved in the nonprofit sector." --Katrina S. Rogers, PhD, Associate Dean, Research and Practice Director, Center for Innovation in the Nonprofit Sector, Fielding Graduate University

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471792217
• ISBN13: 9780471792215
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 1.2" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Moving Forward: Rediscovering Passion in Not for Profit Service

Pam has written a delightful book with insights about Board, Staff and volunteer interactions. This book is a fabulous introduction to those who want to steer not-for-profits to greater relevancy. What makes this work even more interesting is Pam's well crafted titles for the elephants she identifies. She, in effect, has created "spin-variation" titles and the writing in general has pizazz. She has captured the major areas of crisis and challenge in organizations. There is only one area I have found that she has not addressed. It is the tough area that has to do with mental illness. No one really has a model to deal with this elephant. What do you do if your boss is crazy? This is the case that happens in organizations all over the country. What do you do if an employee, as defined by the DSM, is plainly-speaking nuts. What happens if this employee undermines the boss, attacks stake-holders and clients? This is an area that is covered certainly in a general way in her book. However, this issue needs detail and the recognition of being an elephant all its own.

Exposing the Elephants: Creating Exceptional Nonprofits

Books on nonprofits often tend to be academic and not very useful for us in the trenches. This book is different - it clarified for me why getting things done is so difficult. There are so many doable nuggets, but the one that really hit home was the "vested volunteer elephant." I can't wait to put these ideas into practice!

A reasonable criticism of what is wrong with many boards and CEOs in the nonprofit sector!

I'm not sure elephants had to be part of this critical nonprofit management book, but it works ok I guess. I probably would have liked the book better if the author had used some other "convention" to make her book memorable. I think the book is definitely worth a read by members of nonprofit boards and possibly executive directors (CEOs) of nonprofits. I say probably with regard to CEOs because any CEO who knows anything about his or her job already knows everything that is written between the covers of this book. When I read the front and back cover materials of the book it became apparent quickly that the author is a new management consultant to not-for-profits and this book is her professional "credibility piece" so she can charge a reasonable (if not handsome) consulting fee for her services. I smile when I write this because after reading the book I doubt anyone who can comprehend the book will need to hire the author since the book is very well written. According to the author nonprofit organizations that are poorly managed suffer from five fundamental obstacles: 1. An unclear vision and mission 2. A detached board - one that does not relate to the organization 3. An incompetent board - one that fails to develop policy and strategy 4. Incompetent CEO, staff, and volunteers - performance is not demanded 5. Too much people-pleasing and not enough "get the job done" I don't know whether the nonprofit sector is as bad off as the author suggests. My hunch is that it is, but I don't have the evidence to back up what I believe. I think that the author took a bold step by being as negative as she was about the nonprofit sector without providing more statistical data to support where she was coming from in making the general statements that she makes. She could have written the book to say that if a nonprofit suffers from the five obstacles mentioned above, THEN certain steps that she describes could be taken. But she did not write the book that way. All in all, this is a great book and one that nonprofit management teams (boards and their CEOs) should read and use to improve the way they do their work. Major gift givers should probably read the book as well so they can better evaluate a nonprofit that is seeking a gift from them. 5 stars!

A book to keep on hand

This is one of those rare informational books that is written in a style that makes it enjoyable to read. I'm already finding myself quoting elephant quips at various non-profit functions and committe meetings. It is also well organized with exhibits and examples that are easily accessed. Every non-profit CEO and board member needs to read this book. It will certainly stay on my bookshelf as a ready reference for tools and solutions.