From time to time, I am asked to review a book, or I come across a book that I am anxious to tell others about.
Some of the books are related to writing or creative work. Others are related to my varied interests.
I hope you find the reviews to be thoughtful, and I welcome your comments.
Yes Makes Life Interesting (originally posted on Home Page, Sept 2010)
On the CBC program “Q”, actor Harvey Fierstein told host Jian Ghomeshi that “life is only as interesting as the times you say yes.” Manitoba author, Doreen Pendgracs says “yes” a number of times, which no doubt means she has a very interesting life. Much of her time is, or has been spent serving on volunteer boards of directors, including the board for the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). She was the Regional Director for the Prairies and the North, and she was extremely dedicated to her work. Not only did she serve on the PWAC board for many years, she represented PWAC on other boards. Her work was recognized when she was presented with her region’s Volunteer Appreciation Award at the PWAC Awards Banquet in 2008. She’s also won awards from other groups. Doreen took her experiences from those numerous other boards, combined it with information received by others who also had experience with boards of directors, and wrote a wonderful book called Before You Say Yes—A Guide to the Pleasures and Pitfalls of Volunteer Boards(Dundurn Press, 2010, ISBN 978-1-55488-703-3)
Here’s my review of Doreen’s book. I’ve sent this and similar reviews to magazines that publish such things, but have not as yet heard back from any of the editors whether they plan on printing the review. I haven’t given up yet though.
Full disclosure: I am happy and proud to call Doreen a mentor and a friend. It’s through PWAC that I met Doreen. [I think] I’ve keep my bias out of my review. It is a positive review, because it’s warranted. Were it not, I would have said so.
For anyone considering a position on a volunteer board of directors, or for anyone now on a board of directors, this is a must read. You’ll learn your rights and responsibilities, how to work with others on the board, and how to know when it’s time to leave—and ensure a successor—so that your hard work will not have been in vain.
Early in the book Manitoba author Doreen Pendgracs lays out who this book is for—and who won’t benefit from it. She also explains when more detailed information is required, and a there is a list of resources at the end of the book. Pendgracs has more than 25 years’ experience serving on a number of boards, and this shows she knows of what she writes. Her enthusiasm for volunteering and making a difference in your community shines through. However, there are a few too many personal examples. The same points could have been made without revealing her own experience with almost every situation being described. Having said that, Pendgracs does show the experience gained on one board can be easily transferred to another, regardless of the type of board, be it a volunteer non-profit, or a union committee.
Advice and experience is also offered by a number of other people, and that advice is interspersed throughout the book, again showing a wide scope of experiences from both the author and her sources. Pendgracs writes with an friendly style, and this is a book that can be read easily. It can be referred to quickly when deciding about a position on a board or when dealing with an issue while serving on a board. The format is well laid out, and I’d suggest making notes as you go along as there is some very complex information. Pendgracs shows that she has done her due diligence in researching and writing this book, and her advice is sound.
Like Doreen, I’ve served on a number of committees and boards of directors for various non-profit organizations. I’ve also chaired committees, so I know the amount of work involved, which is why I haven’t done it for a few years. Knowing Doreen, and reading her book has inspired me to sign up again for some volunteer work again. I’ve joined the Asset and Development Committee for the Napanee District Community Foundation. I’ve only attended a few meetings, but I am impressed with this group, and its work, and I know I will learn a great deal from this experience. I also believe I can make a valuable contribution. Being armed with Doreen’s book will make the job easier.
I’m glad that I’ve said “yes” to this group. There will be others. Life will definitely keep on being interesting.
