What comes to mind when you think of volunteering? Dedicating your time to a noble cause? “Giving back” to your community? Helping others? One usually thinks of the benefit derived by the recipient of the effort, but in fact there are dozens of ways volunteering can help you.
In addition to being personally rewarding, volunteering is an excellent way to expand your professional network. By working with others toward a common goal, you form relationships and connections with others who care about the same things you do. These relationships often pay dividends down the road when you are looking for a trusted source to ask for advice, provide support or just brainstorm around an idea. The connections you make with fellow volunteers can become friendships that last far beyond the volunteer opportunity that brought you together.
Some years ago, I was talking with a board member in my organization at the time, and he said something that struck me. He said he gained leadership experience through volunteering long before becoming a leader in his own workplace, and the experience he gained through volunteering was a catalyst for his professional ascent. Leadership in a volunteer setting can help develop skills needed to become a leader in your organization. In an article in Forbes Magazine, contributor Richard Pound writes, “The type of leadership at the top is akin to being a leader of volunteers; it is not about carrots and sticks but about persuasion and getting people to grasp and follow your vision.” In a volunteer setting, you do not have compensation and organizational authority to keep your team moving forward, therefore tactful motivation and consensus building is essential to reaching your goals. These skills can be improved through meaningful volunteer leadership and they will serve you well professionally.
There are still many additional benefits to volunteering beyond strengthening your professional network and leadership skills. These include improved interpersonal relationships, self-confidence, self-esteem, problem-solving ability and even improvements in your health. Part of finding the right volunteer opportunity is being honest about what you hope to learn and accomplish.
I encourage you to take an active role in the association by becoming a volunteer. We have opportunities to fit many interests, level of effort and time commitments. We are routinely seeking volunteers to be on committees and task forces, write blogs and articles, help with research and much more. As you read this article, there are more than 100 volunteers helping the 2014 NRPA Congress run smoothly.
Without the active volunteer force we have, NRPA would not be the organization it is. We are so appreciative of the commitment by all our volunteers and the work they do to move the park and recreation field forward. While the altruistic nature of volunteering is more than enough benefit, keep in mind the many positive effects it’s also likely to have on you.
Eric Hamp is NRPA’s Director of Member Relations and Professional Development.
Thank You, Network Leaders!
NRPA provides member-exclusive Networks to support your professional needs. Networks deliver enhanced opportunities for collaborative exchanges between members and the chance to participate in multiple groups on a national level. We would like to say thank you to the volunteer leaders and leadership teams of these invaluable groups!
2014 NRPA Network Chairs
Administrators
Dr. Christopher Nunes, CPRE
Aquatics
Tara K. Eggleston, AFO
Armed Forces Recreation
Matt Enoch, CPRP
Citizen
Larry Poole
Education
Dr. Lee DeLisle
Inclusion and Accessibility
Kevin E. Cowling, CPRP, AFO
Leisure and Aging
Roni Jackson
Parks and Conservation
Mark A. Young and Bradley W. Armstrong
Young Professional
Christian D. Moore, CPRP
Explore volunteer opportunities with NRPA.