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Books share international experience, Robert's rules and Illinois high school basketball standouts          Send a link to a friend

By Richard Sumrall

[APRIL 13, 2005] 

"Vault Guide to International Careers." Sally Christie, et al, Vault Inc., 2004, 191 pages.

"Globalization is no longer a buzzword -- it's a reality." It's estimated that 90 million people currently work outside their country of birth. Anyone who is interested in pursuing a job or career outside of the United States will find timely information and advice in Sally Christie's new book, "Vault Guide to International Careers."

The book contains "The Scoop" on the benefits of working abroad, the different job opportunities available, the countries where conditions for employment are most favorable and how to determine if an international career is right for you.

In "Getting Hired" Christie explains how to "internationalize" your resume and cover letter and prepare for the interviews. She also offers valuable tips on exactly how you go about finding an overseas job (internships, volunteerism, recruiting agencies, etc.).

She concludes by describing what people can expect "On The Job" if they are successful in finding employment. In addition to several examples of a "Day in the Life Abroad" experience, Christie prepares you for the inevitable culture shock, work environment, social life and the reverse culture shock when you return home.

This book is recommended for anyone contemplating a "work abroad" experience.

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"Robert's Rules for Dummies." C. Alan Jennings, Wiley Publishing, 2005, 338 pages.

For anyone who has ever tried to conduct a meeting, "Robert's Rules of Order" can mean the difference between order and chaos. Unfortunately a Robert's rule book can be intimidating to someone trying to follow the correct parliamentary procedure. Fortunately C. Alan Jennings, a professional registered parliamentarian, has eliminated that problem.

In his new book, "Robert's Rules for Dummies," Jennings "navigate(s) the formalities of parliamentary procedure" in a clear, plain English explanation. He does an effective job in demystifying "Robert's" through the book's organization of three main themes.

In "Participating Effectively In Meetings," Jennings gives some brief history of the development of the rules, how to define an organization, the proper methods for making group decisions, and meeting elements, such as a public notice, quorum, order of business and an agenda.

The mechanics and dynamics of a group meeting are further explored in "Motions: Putting Ideas Into Action." Motions are essentially the procedure by which ideas are presented to the group for consideration and action. In addition to proposing motions to the group, it is important to adhere to the other rules regarding motions: debate, subsidiary motions and voting.

One critical component of any group meeting is leadership. In "Getting Involved In Leadership," Jennings outlines the procedures that the group must follow to nominate and elect its leaders. In addition to the nomination procedures, the group must hold elections; make appointments; establish officers, directors or committees; and ensure that the reporting of the group's meetings are accurate, correct and true.

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A concluding chapter, entitled "The Part of Tens," lists the 10 meeting procedure myths, 10 tips for presiding officers and 10 motion mistakes to avoid. Two of the biggest myths related to "Robert's" -- only one motion can be on the floor at a time (untrue; several motions can be pending, but the group can consider only one motion at a time); and the presiding officer can vote only to break a tie (untrue; the presiding officer can vote with the other members when a vote is by ballot).

This book is an essential addition to any entity that follows "Robert's Rules of Order" as its guide for parliamentary procedure.

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"Sweet Charlie, Dike, Cazzie, and Bobby Joe: High School Basketball in Illinois." Taylor Bell, University of Illinois Press, 2004, 248 pages.

Thanks to the appearance of the Lincoln Railers in this year's state basketball tournament, there's been a heightened enthusiasm for the history of Illinois high school basketball. Retired sports reporter and columnist Taylor Bell has compiled a comprehensive history of this annual event.

"Sweet Charlie, Dike, Cazzie, and Bobby Joe" is the story of "hungry young men playing their hearts out, where high tops and high hopes inspire ‘hoop dreams' from Peoria to Pinckneyville."

The title is taken from four of the state's greatest players -- players who represent the regional diversity of the sport: 1950s legends "Sweet" Charlie Brown and Bobby Joe Mason, Carver High School standout Cazzie Russell, and Centralia's Dike Eddlemann, the "greatest athlete of all."

The book is divided into six chapters. Each chapter represents a different decade, starting with the 1940s and ending with the 1990s. Stories and legends abound in these pages as the greatest (and not so great) moments in state basketball history are captured.

The Taylorville Tornadoes blew through the competition in 1943-44 en route to a 45-0 season and became the first team in state tournament history to finish unbeaten. In one of the most bizarre events in tournament history, West Rockford scored six points in one second in 1954-55 against Elgin. In 1982 and 1983 tiny Lawrenceville (population 5,700) compiled back-to-back perfect seasons of 34-0 for an astonishing two-year run of 68-0.

Bell does a great job of capturing the most memorable moments of the tournament and pays particular attention to the incredible array of talented players, coaches and teams who have left their mark on Illinois basketball. This book is recommended to basketball fans of all ages.

[Richard Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]

 

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