I’ve been a service volunteer (candy striper, tutor, Sunday school teacher, Cub Scout leader) since I was a teenager and a board volunteer for almost 40 years. Here is what I consider essential advice.
Getting Started
- Decide if you prefer service or board volunteer or a mix of both
- Determine how much time you have to volunteer
- Choose an organization about which you care a lot. Volunteer on a committee or in a limited way to see if you still love the organization after you get more involved
- Ask your friends what volunteer work is bringing great meaning to their lives
- Before joining a board, always ask for a written set of expectations which addresses attendance, committee service and financial requirements
- Be 100% in agreement with the organization’s written mission statement
- Try to say yes to your children’s school or place of worship
- Definitely say no if that’s your first instinct
- Never say yes on the same day that you are asked to do a big job
Board Service Basics
- Never miss two consecutive meetings
- Prepare fully for meetings by reading all distributed materials and noting questions you have
- Participate actively in discussions but monitor your comments. Reflect after the meeting about whether or not your comments added value
- Contribute financially and ask others to do so
- Cheerlead for your organization. Prepare an “elevator speech” to quickly explain its mission
- Say yes to leadership opportunities but choose your own timetable
- Actively recruit other board members
Are You Having Fun?
If you’re feeling burned out by a volunteer commitment:
- Reflect on why you feel this way
- Revisit the organization’s mission and way the mission is being executed
- Consider a new way to serve the organization is your passion is still intact
- Take a break to recharge your batteries
