This handbook is intended to help the volunteer leader become more effective. The first five chapters are designed as self-instruction guides, which will help the leader to lead groups to more effective action. These chapters cover assessing group and community needs; establishing goals and setting priorities; considering alternatives and determining objectives; taking action; and documenting experiences and accomplishments. The final nine chapters focus on topics to help the leader with specific problem situations and concerns. They discuss the essentials for effective meetings; tips for discussion leaders; types of committees, their major functions, and suggestions for making committees more effective; the functions of leadership; and detailed instructions for using group activities mentioned elsewhere in the book. Other topics include strategies--collaborative or consensus, campaign, conflict, or some combination of the three; partnerships and their formation; financing special projects; and imaginative techniques for positive public relations and alternatives to traditional publicity channels. (YLB)