Edlich Ted - Navigating the nonprofit rapids: strategies & tactics for running a nonprofit company

Navigating the Nonprofit Rapids

Strategies and Tactics for Running a Nonprofit Company

2016 Ted Edlich. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means,

electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopying, or recording, except for the inclusion

in a review, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Published in the United States by WriteLife Publishing

(An imprint of Boutique of Quality Books Publishing Company)

www.writelife.com

Printed in the United States of America

978-1-60808-143-1 (p)

978-1-60808-144-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015947311

Book design by Robin Krauss, www.bookformatters.com

Cover design by Ellis Dixon, ellisdixon.com

PRAISE FOR NAVIGATING THE NONPROFIT RAPIDS

Ted Edlich was an incredible trailblazer for 40 years as the CEO of TAP. Now he shares the ingredients of his success to help others elevate their work to higher levels.

~ Kenneth Ackerman, VirtualCAP.org

Wow! I love it! I could not put it down. Having served on nonprofit boards for 35 plus years it is dead on. I find this book to be an outstanding roadmap for anyone serving in the nonprofit world. Edlich tells many wonderful real life stories that he and his staff experienced while serving at Total Action for Progress (TAP). This book is also a great history read. It reveals the evolution of a very successful community action agency in its mission to fight poverty. He follows each chapter with compelling questions that all organizations should consider. is one of my favorites - it discusses the importance of networks, partnerships, collaborations and collective actions. Strong partnerships and collaboration, with more than 100 public and private supporters allowed TAP to implement and sustain over 30 successful programs. Edlich gives first hand examples of why it is necessary in todays world to obtain serious funding from outside sources.

~ Michael Wise, retired CFO of Corvesta, Inc. and Delta Dental of VA

What kind of world do you want this to be? For those seeking a more just world, with increased opportunities for the most vulnerable in our society, Ted Edlich offers Navigating the Nonprofit Rapids, an excellent handbook on leading nonprofit organizations. Edlichs book offers clear guides to actionprinciples of nonprofit leadership and managementand brings the principles to life with many, lively examples drawn from his forty-year career as a nonprofit executive. Nonprofit managers and board membersand those who aspire to these positionswill all benefit from this thoughtful, easy-to-read, practical guide to nonprofit management. I know I will encourage my nonprofit management students to learn and borrow from the advice and many success stories that Edlich provides. There is much wisdom in this volume.

~ Professor Alan Abramson, George Mason University

In my opinion, Navigating the Nonprofit Rapids: Strategies and Tactics for Running a Nonprofit Company, should be required reading for leaders, directors, and managers of nonprofits. Other key persons in other corporations would benefit from this book, especially : Keeping it Together: Managing Stress. Ted Edlichs book is a compilation of 40 years of experience that combines the science of nonprofit management with the art of nonprofit management, which is unique, beneficial, and interesting. Mr. Edlichs research is thorough and well documented throughout his book. The takeaway questions at the end of each chapter apply to any organization and are worth the read; in addition, the questions are compiled and listed in the Appendix. I recommend Navigating the Nonprofit Rapids: Strategies and Tactics for Running a Nonprofit Company to current and prospective leaders in all types of organizations. Furthermore, this book should be required reading in business schools.

~ Professor Thomas Lachowicz, Departments of Marketing and Management, School of Business, Radford University

Ted led TAP for many years and is a pioneer in leadership and nonprofit innovation. Well, he has finally written a book, and it is an excellent one. I have tremendous respect for his work ethic, leadership, dedication, and wisdom. We need more people out there like him. Ted Edlich brings a private sector attitude to the world of non-profits. It is one of the keys to his success. Be aggressive, make things happen, and run a non-profit like you would a private business. He is truly a pioneer. Teds book serves as a model for all sectors private, non-profit, and public service as well. Teds passion for results makes those around him better. He is a visionary, and I am proud to consider him a friend.

~ Fred Helm,Vice President & Counsel, Kemper Consulting

This is a must read! The nonprofit sector is an expanding and important part of our economy, producing jobs and meeting community needs often overlooked by others. Ted Edlichs new book is a highly readable text touching on core leadership issues applicable to anyone who is involved in the nonprofit world, as well as anyone interested in business and management generally. I have personally known the extraordinary people whose contributions are used to illustrate the fundamental business principles. Congratulations to Ted for 40 years of phenomenal nonprofit leadership. Everyone should read this book as Ted does an amazing job of eloquently communicating the many lessons he learned over those four decades of service.

~ Senator Mark Warner, Senior Senator from the Commonwealth of Virginia

Ted Edlich is the master of navigating the non-profit world. With this book, he shares his experience and skills from 40 years of leadership for a non-profit dedicated to helping those in need.

~ Congressman Bob Goodlatte, United States House of Representatives

This book is surely a must read for executives and leaders in any sector, be it nonprofit, business, education, or government. But it is much, much more. It is a lesson in how to embrace the most important challenges we face as a society, how to overcome persistent obstacles, and grow a community of change makers who create lasting value. Ted Edlich epitomizes what most people only talk about; how to actually make a difference. For those who are tired of all the noise, and are ready to step up and choose to be relevant, this book will show you how. If it was on the must read list for students entering college, many would chart a different path, and the world would be a much better place.

~ Bob Halsch, CEO, Greater Bergen County Community Action Agency, former Board Member, National Community Action Foundation.

Navigating the Rapids is the perfect title for this roadmap of leadership success. Todays nonprofit environment requires nimbleness to adjust to changing conditions and confidence to head directly into the rough waters. Community Action has been the training ground for many nonprofit executives and Ted gives us the practical lessons we need based on a lifetime of dedication and achievement. A must read for nonprofit leaders who want to effect change and make a difference in todays challenging environment.

~ Denise L. Harlow, MSW, CCAP, Chief Executive Officer, Community Action Partnership

For

The people of Total Action for Progress

and

the National Community Action Network

I have one life, and one chance to make it count for something... My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, as long as I can, with whatever I have to make a difference.

~ President Jimmy Carter

I first met Ted Edlich in 1986 when he was trying to sell me on the need for assisting his not-for-profit company during the very difficult years of the great recession. However, it was years later after I had left the chairmans role, during a week of day hiking with Ted in the deserts of Southern Utah combined with beer drinking at night in the pubs of Moab, that I realized Ted needed to write this book. The man has 47 years of experience running programs to fight poverty combined with the memory of an elephant. The stories he shared in the desert heat and later over a cold brew convinced me that he had a lot to say about how to help the poor, how to motivate smart people, and how to run effective organizations, during both good and bad times. More importantly, I was convinced he needed to share that knowledge with others aspiring to be leaders in improving the lives of those less fortunate.