Good Guy Handbook

by Tim Lyons

THE GOOD GUY HANDBOOK is a tribute to the volunteer. The writing calls for individuals to get involved in something. Many causes like feeding the hungry, assisting the elderly, supporting our troops, aiding the environment, helping with youth activities are all addressed in the book. The book then goes into what you can do individually and what you can do by hooking up with established organizations. Diverse organizations like the Elks, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and Kairos Prison ministry are described. Various projects that typically stem from churches are then described. The last half of the book is devoted to improving your skills within the not for profit world. Specific recommendations are given in the areas of recruitment, management and motivation of volunteers. Dozens of fund raisers are discussed in detail. Tips on public speaking are given specifically in the areas of introducing a speaker, giving a talk, running a meeting (large or small) and conducting an award's ceremony. The book goes into great detail on conducting a fund raising dinner and then takes it further by suggesting that you cook your own food to the financial benefit of your organization. A four page lesson plan is given for a kitchen safety class that should be given to all volunteers. Various menu selections are offered that allow you to prepare a tasty abundant meal at less than $4.00 per head. Another fundraiser that is described at length is various forms of theatre. Talent Nights, Murder Mystery Theatre and home made concerts are described with free access offered to multiple original scripts. Finally, the procedure to take an original idea through an evaluation up to a completed project is described. This section also describes growing a philanthropic delivery system starting with a "giving committee" at your company and developing it into a full 501 c(3) not for profit.

The book is a fun read. It is written in a comfortable conversational style. The author, Tim Lyons' life is described. The reader soon detects that the stories in the book are a product of life not research.

348 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2010