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Getting things done



Stories of Leadership from the South Bend Mayor's Office to the School Board, the Peace Corps and Beyond



New book from former South Bend Mayor Roger Parent.


Behind the scenes look at how great things were accomplished under his tenure, not just as mayor, but in all areas of public service.



Reviews (back cover)





Roger Parent tells of his leadership style to get things done as South Bend’s mayor back when the city, still traumatized by Studebaker demise, feared it couldn’t afford to do much of anything. Parent’s leadership wasn’t based on polling of what constituents would support – they were reticent to approve any projects – but instead on battling against the odds for approval of projects to revitalize for the future, including a baseball stadium and other projects hailed today.

Jack Colwell

South Bend Tribune columnist


A deep dive into how an ordinary person can do extraordinary things. Anyone considering leadership, political, volunteerism, or teaching should read this book if you are interested but hesitant about another race/sex/culture, read this book if you need to make a life changing decision, read this book if you have messed up and can’t forgive yourself, read this book.


Charlotte D. Pfeifer, Associate Faculty,
Indiana University South Bend


At a time when politics and government seem to revolve around the latest controversy, folks should read Getting Things Done in South Bend, Indiana by former Mayor Roger Parent for local lessons and great stories on how to authentically build up a community and its people. As a former city chief of staff, I saw Roger’s imprint on the city every day. Each mayor builds on the work of previous administrations, and South Bend is back on the map in large part because of Roger’s vision, projects, and ongoing public service.

Mike Schmuhl,

Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party and former campaign manager of Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign.

Are you tired of politics as usual? Then read this book. Roger Parent got things done as Mayor, as school board president, and in the Peace Corps. His stories tell of appointing people of minority and women to lead top city departments of building a baseball stadium, and more. He did this with unflinching honesty – even telling citizens he would raise their taxes for needed services.

Luther Taylor Sr., Former Fire Chief,
South Bend,Indiana



More Reviews (submitted)





Mayor Roger Parent’s latest book, Getting Things Done is important. His stories of building a baseball stadium and a white water kayak course downtown, diversifying the city’s work force, and promoting women and minorities to key posts, are lessons in leadership and respect for people of all races, gender, and religions. His insightful views on school leadership as a former school board president should be read by all citizens.

Jody Freid


Roger Parent and I served as Mayors of neighboring cities, South Bend and Elkhart respectively during his second and my first terms, 1984-87. I looked to Mayor Parent as a mentor and we have remained friends ever since. His latest book, Getting Things Done, is a Profile in Courage. Read this book and you will learn what it takes and means to be a transformative leader. The very essence of a public servant, Roger Parent continues to get things done to this day with such worthy activities as World Dignity, Inc. among others.

Jim Perron,

Mayor of Elkhart, Indiana 1984-99


“I was fascinated by South Bend’s growth under his stewardship, but what was most revealing is what he did after leaving the mayor’s post. He directed the Peace Corps in Haiti and began a foundation to help students in Thailand, India, and Bangladesh. And he served on the school board more than five years. For Roger, service is his mission.”

Philip Schatz,

Erasmus Book Store owner



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$19.95 (+ plus tax and shipping).


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Move to the top of the list. The book will be back from the printer in June.

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Contact publisher@filibusterpress.com


When the books are in our possession, we will share Amazon.com ordering info. Of course, you can always order directly from us.


Paperback 5.5 x 8.5

ISBN 978-0-9644007-3-3





About Roger





Why write a book of stories about getting things done?

or

A very short story of my long life.


I love stories. Through stories, I learned to play, to work, to love, and to live. Stories inspired me to do what I didn’t know I could do.


I was inspired by my father’s stories of how he accomplished much by taking the first step on building projects not knowing the next. My mother’s stories of teaching in a one-room school house taught me that good work can happen in less than ideal conditions as I learned in the Peace Corps.


Looking back on my long life, I see a pattern of learning from stories. It was not always a story told, but one lived by another that I tried to emulate. During my early years, I was moved to help poor people, to improve my community, and to not only talk, but to get things done. Indeed I was motivated to public service.


I wrote Getting Things Done to share stories about how I got things done in government and the public sector generally. Most people who choose a career of public service aim to accomplish great things, but too many don’t. This is often caused by a lack of knowledge and by the unanticipated challenges posed by work in the public realm.


Public service, especially politics, is a high calling in a grubby world. It’s more demanding intellectually, emotionally, physically, and morally than most people fully understand. This I learned during my decades of public service, especially as city council president, mayor, school board president, and Peace Corps director in Haiti.


In Getting Things Done I share what I learned as a public servant – how I dealt with projects and incidents large and small, and how I coped with successes and disappointments. The book is my modest attempt to help elected officials, other public servants, and the general public to gain insights into the challenges and rewards of public service. .



Events and Appearances





As we schedule public appearances, we'll share them. Here, and on


Facebook


and LinkedIn


Roger looks forward to meeting with you.


It Roger should appear at an event you organize, contact us here.



Don't forget his other book





Getting Things Done shares some experiences of Roger in the early days of the Peace Corps. If you want to learn more, check out Roger's first book:


The Making of a Peace Corps Volunteer.







574-612-5521
Publisher@filibusterpress.com

Filibuster Press



Bloomington, Indiana