Picks of the Week: January 24 - 30, 2010

Website of the Week -- Conflict Resolution Information Source

Conflict Resolution Information Source (CRInfo) is a free, online clearinghouse, indexing more than 25,000 peace- and conflict resolution-related Web pages, books, articles, audiovisual materials, organizational profiles, events, and current news articles. In addition to its easy-to-use search engine, CRInfo (along with its partner project, Beyond Intractability) provides easy browsing of information on 600 peace- and conflict resolution-related topics. Also available are recommended readings from a panel of editors on 425 topics, along with 225 "executive summary"-type overview essays on key topics. The education section includes a "build your own" virtual textbook system, an Internet-based conflict research training program, and extensive links to resources on elementary, secondary, and higher education, as well as professional training. An extensive Networking section helps users connect with the network of people working in conflict resolution-related fields. Finally, a set of Conflict Resolution FAQs provides easy access to many of the most common questions asked by CRInfo users. Go to: http://v4.crinfo.org/index.jsp.


Publication of the Week -- The Ask: How to Ask for Support for Your Nonprofit Cause, Creative Project, or Business Venture by Laura Fredricks

From the publisher: A completely revised edition of the must-have resource for increasing your nonprofit's bottom line. This thoroughly revised and updated edition of the best-selling book The Ask is filled with suggestions, guidelines, and down-to-earth advice that will give you the confidence to ask anyone for any size gift, for any purpose. Written in winning language, filled with sample dialogues, and offering a wealth of tips and tools, this book addresses common mistakes made when asking and shows how to correct each mistake, providing guidance and direction on how to make a great ask.

• Offers step-by-step guidance for learning personal solicitation skills
• Filled with real-world tools and techniques for raising money or support
• Contains advice for overcoming situations such as hesitating to ask for money and following through on the ask
• Written for fundraisers from any size organization
• Includes information on how to apply asking skills to a fundraiser's personal and professional pursuits.

Click to preview this book on Amazon.com.


Trend of the Week – The Suburbanization of Poverty: Trends in Metropolitan America, 2000 to 2008

A new study by the Brookings Institute has analyzed of the location of poverty in America, particularly in the nation’s 95 largest metro areas in 2000, 2007, and 2008. Key findings include:

• By 2008, suburbs were home to the largest and fastest-growing poor population in the country. Between 2000 and 2008, suburbs in the country’s largest metro areas saw their poor population grow by 25 percent—almost five times faster than primary cities and well ahead of the growth seen in smaller metro areas and non-metropolitan communities. As a result, by 2008 large suburbs were home to 1.5 million more poor than their primary cities and housed almost one-third of the nation’s poor overall.
• Midwestern cities and suburbs experienced by far the largest poverty rate increases over the decade. Led by increasing poverty in auto manufacturing metro areas—like Grand Rapids and Youngstown—Midwestern city and suburban poverty rates climbed 3.0 and 2.2 percentage points, respectively.
• In 2008, 91.6 million people—more than 30 percent of the nation’s population—fell below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Between 2000 and 2008, large suburbs saw the fastest growing low-income populations across community types and the greatest uptick in the share of the population living under 200 percent of poverty.
• Western cities and Florida suburbs were among the first to see the effects of the “Great Recession” translate into significant increases in poverty between 2007 and 2008. Based on increases in unemployment over the past year, Sun Belt metro areas are also likely to experience the largest increases in poverty in 2009.

To download the report, go to: http://www.brookings.edu.


Resource of the Week -- The Ultimate Non-Profit Job Guide

Guide To Online Schools, an online education directory that specializes in online degrees, online schools, and distance learning, has compiled a list of the top 97 job boards for non-profit positions. Openings range from entry-level to executive nonprofit management positions. The guide includes a selection of the 10 best with explanations for the selection. Go to: http://www.guidetoonlineschools.com.


Tech Tip of the Week -- Add a Drop Cap in Word 2007

A drop cap is when the first letter of the first word of a paragraph is displayed in a large font. To add a drop cap to a Word 2007 document:

• Click in the paragraph that will contain the drop cap
• Click the Insert tab on the Ribbon
• In the Text group, click Drop Cap
• Select either Dropped or In margin

To remove the drop cap, repeat the steps above and select None.