Not-for-Profit CEO

WALTER P. PIDGEON Jr., PhD, is President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance—U.S. Sportsmen's Foundation, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with government affairs offices in Washington, D.C. He is a seasoned not-for-profit leader, having served in a number of key professional positions, including chief executive officer at four national organizations. He is also a nationally recognized consultant in the areas of administration, strategic thinking, volunteer management, government affairs, and fundraising. A prolific writer and researcher on a variety of subjects, he's the author of The Legislative Labyrinth: A Map for Not-for-Profits and The Universal Benefits of Volunteering, both published by Wiley.

• Chief Executive Officers Who Participated in the Study. Foreword.Preface.Acknowledgments.Chapter 1: The Evolution of the Not-for-Profit CEO Position.Introduction.The Process Began Much Earlier Than You Think.The Rise of Volunteer-Driven Organizations.Transition from a Frontier Nation to an Industrial Nation.Postwar Expansion.Defining the Not-for-Prof it.The Volunteer’s Role.Introduction of the Professional Leader.Summary.Chapter 2: How Not-for-Profit CEOs Attain Their Positions.Introduction.Historical Overview of Attaining CEO Positions.Test Yourself.Just Who Is CEO Material, Anyway?How Should I Prepare to Become a CEO?The Road Less Traveled.Take the Comprehensive Approach.The Reality Check.Summary.Chapter 3: How Not-for-Profit CEOs Retain Their Positions.Introduction.Demonstrate Personal Skills.The First Six Months Is Critical.The Initial Review Findings.Work with Volunteers and the Board.The Leader’s Relationship with the Organization’s Staff.Lessons of the Past.Anticipated Challenges for the Future.Personal Enrichment Needs.Summary.Chapter 4: Case Studies of Successful Not-for-Profit Ceos.Introduction.The Research Methodology and Presentation.Synopsis of the Participating Not-for-Profit CEOs.Summary.Chapter 5: Suggested Methods of Attaining a CEO Position.Introduction.Know Yourself.The Use of a Self-Assessment Tool.Take a Realistic Look at the Prize.Education: What’s In and What’s Not.Know the Turf.Get Past the Brick Wall.Find a Mentor.Listen to the Experts.Put Together the Package You Need.How to Find The Position.Summary.Chapter 6: The CEO’s Survival Kit.Introduction.Maintaining Your Personal Edge.Optimizing the First Six Months.The Review Document.Achieving a Full Partnership with Your Board.Creating a Staff Team.Keeping Watch.Making a Difference.Summary.Chapter 7: Positioning Yourself to Attain a Higher-Level CEO Position.Introduction.Time for the Next Step.What the Participating CEOs Told Us.Search Firm Relationships.Preparing for the Next CEO Position.Summary.Chapter 8: Summary of the National Study of Not-For-Profit CEOs.Introduction.Career Prof iles of the Participating Not-for-Prof it CEOs.Participating CEOs’ Advice and Insight on the Survey Questions.Summary.Epilogue: A Message to Volunteer Leaders.Bibliography.Additional Sources of Information.Index.