Each association has its standardized bylaws and operating procedures as mandated by the association headquarters. However, as such guidelines are often generic, individual chapters often are given the option to modify their bylaws as applicable to their individual environments. In these cases, the modifications must be approved by the officers, the voting members of the chapter, or some combination of both, and must not conflict with the association's bylaws. Operating Procedures offers a set of suggestions for delineating responsibilities. It is designed to help the officers modify their roles and responsibilities and specific operating policies and procedures to ensure that the chapter is organized and operates in the most efficient manner possible.

This guide describes suggested titles for a variety of officers and managers, and delineates recommended roles for each position. Associations inherently will have either fewer or more leadership roles in their group, and responsibilities for these roles can be assigned as appropriate.

Whether you are taking over a position from an incumbent of an association's chapter with an extensive legacy, or starting a new chapter from the ground up, this guide will help you to develop a hierarchy of responsibilities for officers and managers. These recommendations serve only as a template for developing an association's operational rules, and are not meant to replace or supersede the association's specified mandates for its local chapters.

The reader must keep in mind that different associations have different hierarchies and levels of structure, as shown in the flowchart below. For instance, all associations normally have a central headquarters. With smaller entities, this may be the only group that exists. But with many larger associations an international and national headquarters may exist to provide a mission statement, bylaws and operating procedures, and membership information to individuals and groups worldwide.

Regional offices also may exist under the purview of the parent association. Such offices may serve multiple states and numerous chapters within each state. These regional offices may have a director and support officials to disseminate information from the parent association. Just as the national office for a particular country may get its directives from the international office, the regional offices may get similar directives from national offices. Regional divisions may sponsor meetings, seminars, and conferences, eliciting interest in members from surrounding states within that region.

Moreover, state divisions may exist to provide more localized support for an association. Many associations provide state offices that report to regional or national/international offices for direction, funding, and other support.

Finally, chapters often, but not always, exist to provide yet more localized information and support to members on a more personal basis. By having local chapters, members are able to attend regularly scheduled meetings and are availed the opportunity to meet others in the geographic locale who are in the same vocation. Additionally, local chapters may solicit local speakers for regularly scheduled programs, to prevent attending members-as well as guest speakers-from having to travel long distances.

Ortho's Guide to Decks & Patios is, in my opinion, the best all around how to book about the subjects that I have read to date. This book accurately describes decks and patios as "extensions of interior spaces for living, working, and eating." It is full of color pictures, illustrations, guidelines, and instructions to help you design and build an outdoor space that suites your needs.

After a brief overview of decks and patios and the history of outdoor living, the reader is asked to develop a list of group or individual needs to consider while creating a design. Checklists are used to help remind you of the critical items to think about along the way, and there are plenty of color photos of finished work to provide you with ideas for your own projects. The design section explains bubble diagrams, base plans, site plans, and working drawings. The construction sections contain drawings and descriptions of all of the basic tools used to build the projects shown in the book along with material lists and span charts. There are sections explaining the actual construction techniques for building wooden decks, brick, stone, and concrete patios, brick walls, mortared and dry-stacked stone retaining walls, overhead and freestanding garden structures, as well as suggestions for fences, spas, plant containers and outdoor lighting. There are pictures showing different decking pattern options, railing configurations, brick paver patterns, patio edgings, decorative concrete finishes, and methods to control sun and shade. Several complete projects with framing plans, sections, and material lists are also included in case you would rather incorporate an existing design into your plan.

While some of the related subjects are not covered in great depth, one should not expect a single book to address every aspect of such a broad group of topics. However, this book is very thorough in its approach to decks and patios. It should provide anyone who is considering designing and building an outdoor living space with the necessary information to do so. The directions and guidelines used in this book, as well as, the drawings, descriptions, and construction techniques are presented clearly and accurately. And, there are plenty of photos of existing projects to provide you with ideas for your own. I was very impressed with this book and I highly recommend it.

Michael Green is one of the best authors I have come to read, especially for military subjects. I have been a fan of all types of military/war books simply because politics is interesting for me. Michael Green has written a number of books on this subject all of which are considered my favorite. This book is well-written and gives clear, concise information. It also contains and array of astonishing and breath-taking photographs, liek in all of Green's books. I wish I could meet this wonderful author and congratulate him on his job well done. My wife and I both know that these books are at the top of my shelf!

Now in a revised and updated third edition, The Peer-Reviewed Journal: A Comprehensive Guide Through The Editorial Process is a practical and informative "how to" guide written specifically to help novice editors-in-chief, managing editors, and editorial office support staff to set up effective and efficient procedures for managing the editorial office of a periodical publication. Writer, editor and author Gary Smith succinctly explains and deftly instructs editors in the process by which scientific, technical, and trade information is reviewed and disseminated. Chapters cover such topic as organizing one's office, managing a database, preparing manuscripts for publication and much, much more. A CD-R disc of forms, letters, and faxes is included to enhanced the value and application of this highly useful and practical guidebook. The Peer-Reviewed Journal is strongly recommended reading for anyone contemplating starting a journal or periodical, as well as those who are engaged in any kind of managerial or editorial responsibility for one.

"A highly organized publication. . . . This publication is a 'must' for any office initially developing its editorial responsibilities. Experienced editors and editorial staff will still find this manual's contents useful in updating procedures and providing new slants on old activities. A useful and cost effective document." -Veterinary and Human Toxicology. "Anyone who reads this guide will be impressed with how labor intensive the peer-review structure is. . . . Those contemplating editorships would also benefit from reading such a guide before accepting the position. . . ." -CBE Views. " . . . this book does live up to its title, it is a useful and comprehensive guide to be kept on the shelf in the editorial or production office and consulted as necessary (regularly). The contents . . . prove invaluable to newcomers entering the 'Editorial Office' and a useful check guide for the more experienced residents." -Eileen Storrie, editor, Learned Publishing. "No other book like it on this topic. Very useful-a good investment." -Leslie Neistadt, ELS. "For the novice and pro alike, Smith's The Peer-Reviewed Journal: A Comprehensive Guide through the Editorial Process is a must have for journal editors. I can only pack so much info into my four- page bulletin for editors. Smith has it all in there." -Lenda P. Hill, Managing Editor, Aspen Publishers. "We found this guide to be an excellent resource for peer-reviewed journal publishing. The samples and examples of forms and letters, time frames and practical tips helped us to review and refine our editorial process." -Jo Posselt, Director of Communications, General Dentistry.

"Questions for Kids" is a collection of a thousand questions that can be used to help kids expand their imagination and understanding of the world around them. Each question can be used as a springboard to discussion and education. Some answers are sure to bring surprises to the adult asking the question. Others are just good questions to help children expand their thinking.

For example, one question is "What do you need to make pizza?". This leaves you with the option of including pizza dough or flour, water, and other ingredients of the dough. On the other hand when it comes to toppings what could be added? You could get really creative with this in determining what is appropriate or not. What about ice cream for a topping? Not appropriate? Maybe it would be if the "pizza dough" were phyllo, the "tomato sauce" were ice cream and the toppings were strawberries with chocolate drizzled across it. Open a child's mind to the possibilities of the world is one of the best gifts you can give them, this book helps you get started with many, many questions that can be used to help them think creatively.

If you would like a collection of questions to ask your young child that will help them learn manners ("What do you do if someone has bad breath?"), basic science ("Do fish have feathers?"), or expand their creativity ("What do you like to pretend to be?") this is a great collection to get you started. A recommended purchase for anyone seeking a starting place for expanding their child's mind, it is a recommended purchase.

This book significantly changed the way I, as a teacher of Language Arts, think about what we do in secondary classrooms every day. Without ever being strident or laying blame, the authors methodically, movingly demonstrate that in so many ways, most middle schools and high schools are still far off the mark in how they teach English. And yet, the answer is right there--all we have to do is listen to the kids.

Sure, it's easy for us to listen to the good readers, the ones who zipped through "Lord of the Rings" in 5th grade, who devour books. But when do we really listen and respond to the needs of those kids--particularly, as the authors point out, boys--who never read, who say they hate to read?

The authors studied, and carried on extensive dialogues, with 49 boys in grades 7-12. What they found will shock and dismay some readers. To others, it will come as no surprise. Still others may see it as a call to action: Increasingly, many children--and boys in particular--fail to make any significant connection with what goes on in the language arts classroom. Even passionate teachers may be of little help, so long as they insist on imposing the conventional canon of "great literature" on all students. What's more, students who resist traditional reading are by no means necessarily illiterate. Many are highly competent readers of computer manuals, sports magazines, graphic novels and internet communications--to name just a few. Many are passionate about these alternative literary activities. But they find no reinforcement for them in school; often, it is quite the opposite.

The authors argue that we must reach students first through the literate activities they already know and value, and tap into these interests, these sometimes unconventional literacies, as ways to engage them in meaningful, real activities. Then, if all goes well, they will begin to seek out wonder and meaning in ways that go deeper than the surface, and the door may open, for some, on that world of symbolic, philosophical, emotional meaning that is so valued by teachers and other lifelong readers.

Ýt is a great book I have ever read.

THE ROOTS OF HEALING is a book that explores how the nature of our soul infuses health and well-being. It is a series of questions and answers provided by leading edge thinkers who understand the power of spirit to heal. This book reminds us of our true nature. More importantly, we are reminded of the roots of healing itself - our soul. When our soul experiences well-being, the possibility for physical, psychological, social, and spiritual unity becomes an expression and extension of the unmanifest becoming manifest. Thanks to all who contributed to the future of medicine. Samuel Oliver, author of, WHAT THE DYING TEACH US: LESSONS ON LIVING.

An excellent book, finally Banjamin on photography and cinema is available in english. Reading his essay on Chaplin is extremely illuminating concerning the question of the passage from silent film to sound film. His concept of critique, as well as his concept of "making history" lies in this text.