Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World, The

Action Without Borders. (2009). The Idealist.org Handbook to Building a Better World. New York, NY: Penguin Group.
ISBN-13: 9780399534874

•Plot Summary
Although intended for adult readers, this handbook has something to teach everyone over the age of ten, and helps to eliminate the concept that only adults have something work giving to the world. Beginning with the Part I, this manual introduces the reader to ways they can start helping, explains the basics of nonprofits (vs not-for-profits or hybrids), and details how all experience is relevant (work, hobbies, having access to resources, possessing life experience). The reader will explore what type of organization (formal, informal, established or emerging), will best suit their ideas, skills, and desire to serve. It also maintains that contributions can be made in time, money or expertise. Would-be volunteers are given the tools to perform their own self-assessment, so they can find a place that's right for them (be it local, regional, state, national or international). Part II delves into an investigation into volunteering on a deeper level. Individuals may choose to "hit-and-run" or "episodic volunteering", which is giving a quick hand when time is available, bu requires no continuous commitment of any kind. Online volunteering may allow individuals without transportation, limited mobility or the desire to work with a national or global need, to volunteer without ever leaving home. Days of Service volunteering, that is, volunteering on organization-designated special days can also lend itself to occasional service or online volunteerism. For that want a more social activity, group volunteering might be the best idea, and this form is becoming more popular with business for teaching their employees how to work in teams. For persons lacking child care or that want to make a difference with persons they already know, family volunteering is a choice. To gain experience or learn new skills, internships, voluntourism, and a DIY approach to creating a volunteer org can open new avenues. For teens, all of these may be viable solutions, because they will develop new skills and approaches to problem solving.

•Critical Evaluation
A practical guide for getting involved in volunteering, and helping nonprofit organizations in other ways, ones that can literally change lives-both of the beneficiaries of service, and the teens. Easily followed format, and lack of legalese keeps this manual inside the scope of teen interest.

•Reader’s Annotation
A manual suitable for reading more than once, especially as teens grow, develop new skills, and find new areas of interest.

•Genre
Non-Fiction

•Curriculum Ties
Social Science
Economics
Business
Marketing

•Booktalking Ideas
Volunteerism, nonprofit organizations, internships, management

•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 10-?/Ages 15-Adult

•Challenge Issues
N/A

•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
I had my first volunteer job, in the local public library, at the age of eight. While my daughter hasn't expressed an interest in volunteering so far, she is becoming more aware of the world around her. She is not a teen yet, but those years are only a few away, and I think all teens could benefit from this manual-if not a teen version of it.