01/ 03/ 2005
by Vicki Gerson
Many business people want to "give something back" to their community, so they decide to volunteer. Volunteering is good for you and your business -- as long as it is the right fit. Unfortunately, volunteers often wind up dreading the chore rather than finding it to be a rewarding experience.
If you want to volunteer, you need to do your homework to avoid disappointment. Here are some tips on what you should look for before devoting your time and energy to a volunteer position:
How will your time be spent?
It's highly unlikely you would blindly accept a job without getting some facts. Find out all you can about the organization before you commit to volunteering for them. What are the organization's objectives? What goals have been reached? Who is the organization helping? Talk to the people who run the organization to find out what services they expect you to perform and how often. Are these services you want to perform? In addition, talk to other volunteers to find out if they actually enjoying volunteering for the organization.
How does it benefit you?
Be honest with yourself about your goals. If you are volunteering in part to gain exposure for your company, make sure that you do. If your motives are more personal, you should still ensure that you feel fulfilled in your service.
Do what you love
Although you may be a whiz as a number cruncher, you may not want to spend your time volunteering as an unpaid accountant. As a volunteer, you may decide that human contact is more important then sitting behind a desk.
The key is to volunteer at something you love to do. It is not important that you use your skills from your business as a volunteer -- and don't feel guilty if someone tries to peg hole you into that spot. This isn't a paying job, so do what you love or have always had a desire to do.
It's okay to say no
Many times the staff at a nonprofit will see a good volunteer and ask for more service than the volunteer was originally willing to give. It is important to learn to say, "No, I can't do that." If you don't learn to say "no," more jobs will be piled upon you. Instead of volunteering five hours a week, you may suddenly find yourself at the nonprofit organization 12 hours a week. That extra time might considerably cut into time for yourself, your family or your business. In the end, you will wind up hating volunteering because it has become a weekly obligation that needs to be met rather than something you look forward to.
Don't expect miracles
In the nonprofit world, remember not to expect miracles. Progress may be very slow. If you had on your business hat, you know things would be different. Be patient. Remember to keep in mind that you are not the director of this organization and a little slow progress is better than none.
