Last week I was honored to share my journey of nonprofit involvement and the best practices I learned along the way to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and employees of Emerson. Having a passion for women in tech I was thrilled to share the benefits that can support someone’s career while giving back to the local community.
My personal journey started back in 2008. After years of working long weeks in an isolated corner of the city, with a circle of friends that revolved around my coworkers, my brilliant mother suggested I get involved in the community. Little did she know what that would start… 8 years later I’ve served as a board member, committee chair, event chair, advisory council and volunteer with numerous organizations, and have found the extraordinary influence one person can make by giving a little of their time to those in need. I’ve outlined some of my “how to” advice on getting started in nonprofit involvement, what to expect, and what to look out for and how to balance it all among life and career priorities.
So how does someone start when it comes to volunteering? First, know that everyone’s journey is different. Some have kids, some travel during the week, some want to see more results from their personal efforts than others do. It’s all about your priorities. So before you get started with a nonprofit, take a hard look at your motivations.
Some questions to ask:
In my experience, it was both a love of the arts and a decade of marketing experience, I found organizations that needed audience development and recruitment and awareness among the Austin community and I jumped right in.
Next, and this is the fun part, Dive! Head first. Approach nonprofits as you would a new job. What is the commitment, what is the culture like? How are the volunteers recognized and rewarded, both in front of others and behind the scenes, talk to current or past volunteers and board members to learn about their experience. Just like you can have a position you love with a company you don’t, you want to be sure that the organization you’re giving your time to is a good fit. And secondly, but probably more importantly, make sure your family and friends are supportive. Studies have shown the impact that giving can have on the attitude of an individual, but coming home to a non-supportive home after a day of volunteering can be disheartening. Even better, ask your family to join you in this new hobby, and they’ll share in the experience.
So now you’ve found an organization you love. How do you make the most of the experience in a sustainable way that you can balance with your career and family? Serving on a board and volunteering to pass out water at a local 5K require different time commitments. Start with what you know you can work into your schedule, and consider how your schedule operates. Board service might be great if you have a professional skill set and can manage regularly scheduled meetings. Volunteering for opportunities as they come might be better if you want to have flexibility. Each person’s journey will be different and each role is necessary.
Also consider the career gains from volunteering. Some of the most influential people in my network, I met through a non-profit. So meet as many as you can and look at the relationships that can be developed outside of your normal work and social circles. You can also learn something new – considering a job change into marketing? Volunteer to help them redesign their website. Event planning? Every non-profit will have some form of event. Business Development? Try your hand at fundraising (one of my favorite pastimes). Volunteering can give you a chance to try on something new before you pivot your career. And lastly, be an extension of your employer – represent the company you work for in a positive way, engage your co-workers for a team offsite that supports the community, and talk about it. The same way you build a professional brand, you’ll build a volunteer brand that shows that you’re engaged with your local community.
Now some words of caution, and I say this because volunteering, board service, non-profit support should be rewarding. If volunteering starts to feel like work, or it’s no longer mutually beneficial to you, take a step back and re-evaluate. Just like we need vacation from work to recharge, the same goes for community service. And just like we may outgrow a job we once loved, your relationships with non-profits will evolve too. Don’t be afraid to take a break or move on to a different organization. At the end of the day you are a volunteer, and it is your responsibility to be honest and respectful about changing your level of involvement. Most organizations will respect your time. As you get involved, protect your boundaries. Nonprofits do a lot with very little, and largely due to volunteers they work with. But your volunteer time should never take away from the quality of life you have at home and at work. The old adage is true - you can’t give if you’re empty, so if you hit burnout not only will you start to resent this wonderful work, but it’s hard to show passion and energy as a volunteer when you’re running on fumes.
So remember, everyone’s experience will be different and expect it to evolve, just as you will. Sometimes the hardest part is being honest with yourself on what you want to gain and what you’re willing to give, but when those two align you can do great things for this community. Don’t be afraid to jump in, just like you’re career making an impact sometimes means you jump in the deep end and learn swim once you’re there. Good luck and thank you for allowing me to share my experience with the Women in STEM group.
For more information on how to get involved, here are a few of my favorite organizations and references for Austin, TX involvement:
So inspiring! It's amazing what an impact one person can have when they pour their passion into the community. Thanks for the tips on how to get started katebperez and for sharing your story with us!