by Ginger Donnan
BizBash, the industry’s premier source for event news and venue and vendor recommendations (and I’m NOT paid to say that, it really is), recently launched a volunteer board for event organizers to get the word out when they need a helping hand. As event planners to non-profit organizations, we often reach out to our network for committees or on-site assistance, and this alternate route for finding donated labor is a welcome addition.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a new graduate or a someone with 15 years experience under their belt, there are many professional reasons why you should be contributing to your community as a volunteer.
As an entreprenuer myself, I have learned that lunches, networking events and memberships are all well and good in the marketing mix, but besides a personal referral, nothing beats donating my time to show a potential client how I can help them. Every proposal is, in essence, a volunteer effort. A proposal is free and includes a mini-event plan, including a budget and a timeline. There have even been times when the event was scaled back, a potential client did not need my full planning services and I helped them on-site at the event anyway. The goodwill was paid back the following year when they DID hire me.
For those just entering the workforce, a volunteer assignment, particularly a long-term one, can be the key to that first job. Time spent learning the ins and outs of a non-profit organization, as well as developing relationships with key people there, can help you better understand a professional work environment and show that organization that you are committed to their cause. Recently, I had the chance to be a reference for a recent graduate who gave of his time to a non-profit committee and I’m thrilled to say, he got the job!
And for those of you overtaxed by years of working in the same industry, or even, the same job, volunteer work can be eye-opening. You may find that you want to take your career in a whole new route or you may find that you have an opportunity to contribute so much more than just your annual donation. Now more than ever, charitable organizations are in need of passionate leaders with skill sets learned in the corporate world since there is more demand for organizations’ programs and services and financial donations are just starting to bounce back.
So which organization are you calling today?
Tags: entrepreneur, Event, Networking, Non-profit, Volunteers
Posted in Blog, Featured, Industry, Non-Profit | No Comments »
