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"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] |
