Media Release

COMMUNITY and non-profit groups looking for basic advice on how they can become more efficient and effective now have a new book to help them.

Finding the simple secrets of successful community groups is a collection of over 400 tips contained in 50 columns detailing how non-profit groups, particularly, small and medium community organisations and schools can become more efficient and effective.

The book is the latest guide for the community sector developed by ourcommunity.com.au a national online resource for Australia's 700,000 community and non-profit groups and schools. Ourcommunity also produces monthly grants funding and fundraising newsletters for community groups and runs Australia's only free online donations service for community groups.

Finding the simple secrets of successful community groups is an edited series of columns written by ourcommunity.com.au CEO, Dr Rhonda Galbally, over the past two years. The weekly columns are distributed to dozens of newspapers around the country to provide local community groups with basic information on ways to improve their organisation.

The columns contained in Finding the simple secrets of successful community groups cover subjects such as finding new fundraising methods, marketing your group, finding and looking after volunteers, risk management, planning and developing strategies for community groups, improving non-profit Boards and advocating for change. Other topics such as preparing a media release, selling a winning message (and spreading it), adding value to special events, maintaining a strong corporate knowledge and staying cool in a crisis are also covered.

"The columns in this book aren't designed to be the last word on any subject but to provide a starting point and enough innovation and inspiration for community or school leaders to say 'Why don't we have a go at that. We can do that'," author Dr Galbally said.

"Every group - whether a sporting club, church, school community, local environmental group, self help group or welfare agency - can improve what they are doing. Often the first step is just knowing where to start and these columns and tips will hopefully get the discussions going and encourage groups to have a go at something new."

"In speaking to various community workshops and seminars around the country, people often ask for tips or secrets to help their group. The truth is that the secret often is just doing the simple things and getting the basics right. That can make the biggest difference."

Finding the simple secrets of successful community groups costs $36 and can be ordered by visiting www.ourcommunity.com.au/files/columns_book.pdf  , emailing service@ourcommunity.com.au or calling (03) 9320 6800.

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION: For interviews call Dr Rhonda Galbally on (w) (03) 9320 68 09 or Brian Walsh on (03) 9320 6813 or 0411 22 7585.

An image of the book cover is available at www.ourcommunity.com.au/files/bookcover1.pdf  or by emailing Brian Walsh at brianw@ourcommunity.com.au.