August 5, 2004 | Read Time: 1 minute
Grassroots Initiatives Shape an International Movement: United Ways Since 1876, by Richard N. Aft and Mary Lu Aft, chronicles the history of the organizations now known as United Ways. The book is broken into chapters covering specific years, with each chapter containing information about relevant national and global events and descriptions of the leadership characteristics of employees and volunteers at community fund-raising organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Aft, who have worked at various United Ways since 1961 and now reside in Philadelphia, also discuss the changes the groups underwent to respond to the needs of the times. During the Great Depression, for example, the Association of Community Chests and Councils was formed to coordinate 29 national relief-giving organizations. During the same time period, Community Chest leaders began to solicit donations at places of employment to meet growing demands.
Publisher: Philanthropic Leadership, to order, contact: Sales Service America, 3680 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, Va. 22304; (703) 212-6300 or (800) 722-0008; fax (703) 212-6319; customerservice@sales-service.com; http://www.unitedwaysupplies.com; 252 pages; $10.
