From the Inside Flap
Whether you're a member of the investment committee of an endowment fund—for a college, hospital, or local civic group—or a member of the investment committee of a pension fund or foundation, the bottom line is that you've been entrusted with making investment decisions that, within an acceptable level of risk, should maximize the long-term growth of income for your fund and organization.
With over thirty years of hands-on experience and proven success in the financial field, author Russell Olson—the former director of pension investments worldwide for Eastman Kodak—understands the many fiduciary responsibilities of those who sit on the investment committees of endowment funds, foundations, and pension funds. In The Handbook for Investment Committee Members, Olson shares his extensive knowledge of this subject so that you can learn how to fully meet the demands of this important job.
Filled with in-depth insights and practical advice, The Handbook for Investment Committee Members will help you to understand information presented at committee meetings, ask meaningful and productive questions, evaluate the responses received, and vote on recommendations knowledgeably. Using the tools and techniques described, you'll be prepared to make even the toughest decisions with confidence.
The Handbook for Investment Committee Members offers clear, accessible guidance for both sophisticated investors and relative newcomers. It breaks down and discusses some of the most critical issues in this field, including:
- The proper functioning of investment committees and the drafting of investment policies
- Creating a portfolio of asset classes and understanding the elements of risk, return, and correlation
- Selecting and monitoring investment managers or mutual funds that actually invest your assets
- Evaluating the investment organization of an endowment fund, foundation, or pension fund
- The structure of an endowment fund, the handling of restricted money in the fund, and the importance of using the imputed income method to calculate annual payments to the fund's sponsor
- The similarities and differences in managing an endowment fund, foundation, and pension fund
Today, the responsibilities of investment committee members are tremendous. If you're currently in this position or planning on being there soon, pick up The Handbook for Investment Committee Members and find out how you can make prudent investments for your organization.
From the Back Cover
Praise for The Handbook for Investment Committee Members
"Investment committees are responsible for trillions of dollars of capital market assets. Thanks to Rusty Olson's masterful handbook, these committees can finally shed folklore, follow-the-leaderism, and obsolete rules-of-thumb. With the guidance of this handbook, they will have a firm sense of mission, clear mandates, and professional and sophisticated decision-making."
—Peter L. Bernstein economic consultant to institutional investors author of Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk
"Rusty has blended his vast experience in institutional investing to produce a valuable how-to guide for new investment committee members and a useful reference tool for more experienced investors."
—Michael P. Manning, CFA President, New England Pension Consultants
"Rusty Olson was a path-breaking plan sponsor during his years at Kodak. His Handbook is a unique guide for any investment fiduciary in a plan sponsor setting that is grappling with the role they should play—either as committee member, consultant, or plan sponsor. Olson's contribution to the investment industry continues with work like this excellent book."
—Steven C. Case, CFA Managing Director, Consulting CRA RogersCasey
The Handbook for Investment Committee Members clearly explains the responsibilities and expectations of investment committee fiduciaries for pension funds, endowment funds, and foundations. From understanding investment policies and asset allocation to asking meaningful questions and voting on recommendations knowledgeably, this comprehensive guide will prepare you to make even the toughest decisions with confidence.
