Vital Signs is written for the nonprofit executives and leaders who want to invest in the care and treatment of their nonprofits. Vital Signs addresses the Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment Methods and Treatment Phases of a crisis. The chapters include sample worksheets to illustrate how you can use your time and brainpower wisely. Blank worksheets are included. By the time you finish the book, you'll be able to effectively target preventable crises and pinpoint other categories of crisis that can be treated to minimize the final loss facing the nonprofit. You'll be able to develop a crisis management plan for your organization, assign key personnel, and establish a protocol that will increase your odds of surviving.
Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, a resource organization serving nonprofits and nonprofit leaders in the U.S. and internationally. The Center provides consulting assistance to a wide range of nonprofits, on-site and online training programs, innovative Web tools, and a library of publications. The Center aims to help nonprofits take a practical approach to managing risk so that they can focus on their missions and stay out of trouble.
A prolific author of a more than 15 books and countless articles, resource guides, and book chapters, Melanie delivers dozens of speeches and workshops each year in the U.S. and abroad. Melanie earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Urban Affairs from American University (Washington, DC) and a Juris Doctor from George Mason University (Arlington, VA). She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association.
In August 2007 Melanie was named to the 10th annual NonProfit Times Power & Influence Top 50, a list of "executives and thinkers ... selected for the impact they have now and for the innovative plans they are putting in place to evolve the charitable sector." In August 2008 Melanie was again recognized and is among those on The NPT Power & Influence Top 50, Class of 2008.
A calculated risk taker, Melanie loves raw fish, scalding coffee, and riding her 2009 Buell Blast, 1964 Norton Electra or 1970 BSA Bantam motorcycles (she always wears her helmet). To be on the safe side, she also serves as Administrative Council Chair and organist of her church.
