Posts Tagged ‘Volunteer!’

Volunteering with the Rochester Chapter of STC

Have you ever wondered why people volunteer? Why do people give of themselves when there are so many other things to do with their lives?

Personally, I believe it’s something in the water or maybe in the air - especially in Rochester, New York. Rochester is a great volunteer town! It seems like everyone you talk with is involved in something that puts demands on them beyond their 8 to 5 schedule and they seem to love talking about their experiences. They willingly give up their personal time so that they can spend an evening or the occasional Saturday or Sunday being with other like-minded people. But if it’s not in the water or air it must be something that they inherited from their parents or possibly contracted from their children. You know what I mean, all those nights and weekends helping with homework and school projects – that must have something to do with it.

So what do they get from this volunteering?

Well I can assure you it’s not anything monetary. Most volunteer jobs even seem to cost a bit; you understand - for the person to get there - with the price of fuel or at least the cup of $4 coffee while participating in the meeting. And in many volunteer organizations there is always a need for a PC or MAC so you can communicate with others, so there is that cost and of course the price on the Internet provider, that could be a small fortune. So volunteering is not a moneymaking deal, quite the opposite when you come down to it.

So why do so many people volunteer?

I believe it’s personal! It’s a lot like breathing and drinking water – you really need to do it to stay alive. Not alive in the physical sense but more of a personal pride and personal value sense of being. It gives you that feeling that you have made a difference. Like watching your children grow and succeed because you helped nurture their growth. Plus I think it’s a very selfish thing, it makes them feel good about themselves. And while they are feeling good they don’t think about the cost, they do however reflect on the value that their personal contribution has added to the good of the project they supported.

So have you volunteered lately?

If not, the Rochester Chapter of STC is a ‘great’ organization made up of very talented people who have so much to share. Your skills and experience can add so much to the chapter that it is hard to imagine not having you as part of the team. Volunteering with STC will add value to the Chapter and give you a sense of accomplishment for something you personally believe in and it would not have gotten done without your help. Plus, if you’re not careful, you may make some new friends and learn something along the way. Because when you’re involved you add value and make a significant difference.

–
Joseph Uhal is the President of the Rochester Chapter.

We’re looking for Nominations Committee Members for 2007 – 08.

Do you know many of your fellow STC Rochester Chapter members? Maybe you don’t, but you would like to meet and network with more members. Either way, a position on the Nominations Committee of the Chapter Administrative Council may be just the ticket for you.

The Nominations Committee has two elected members-at-large. Because there are two members, the responsibilities are shared. The major responsibility of the Committee is to solicit candidates for Council leadership positions, with help from the Administrative Council and immediate Past President. Additional responsibilities include:

• Attending monthly meetings of the Administrative Council
• Maintaining job descriptions for Council positions
• Working with the List Manager to prepare the ballot and announce the results

If you are interested in running for election to the Nominations Committee, or would like more information, contact one of the current Committee members:

Betsy Christiansen
betsychristiansen@gmail.com

or

Estelle Holloway
stell0509@yahoo.com

Your Chapter Needs You!

This is one of a series of articles on opportunities for serving your local STC community, the Rochester Chapter. The articles written by the Nominations Committee are intended to give you an idea of what the elected Council members and volunteer committee managers of our chapter do, and to introduce you to the people who currently hold those positions.

Program Manager, 2007 - 2008
We are looking for someone to lead the Program Committee. The Program Committee works together to develop educational programs and events which stimulate the exchange of information, provide opportunities to stay up-to-date on current trends in technical communication, and are a great way to network.

Recent programs include: “Book Publishing” by the president and founder of an online author services business, “Options for RoboHelp Users: The Future of Help and Doc-To-Help’s One-Click Project Converter”, “From Fortran to E-Learning—a History” by the father of CBT, and “What is this thing called ‘Flash’? Do I need to learn it?” For announcements of up-coming events, visit http://www.stcrochester.org.

We extend a big thanks to Agapi Theodorou, the outgoing Program Manager for making such fine programs possible.

The Rochester Chapter has a wealth of talent and experience. We may be calling on you to volunteer!

Betsy Christiansen
Estelle Holloway

Most of us feel a responsibility to use our time and talents for the benefit of our community. And most not-for-profit organization — including your STC chapter — need volunteer help to accomplish their goals. So…how can we make sure our volunteer efforts are successful?

Pick a cause or issue that is important to you.

Look for a volunteer opportunity which deals with issues about which you feel strongly. Most people find it easier to meet their volunteer commitments when they care about the goals of the organization they volunteer for.

If you are a member of a professional association or donate moneyto a social services agency, arts organization, or another not-for-profit group, that’s a good place to start. Browse through their newsletter, talk to other members, or call one of the organization’s officers or staff to find out what volunteer opportunities are available.

Clarify your own needs.

Do you want to get started right away using skills you already have, or are you willing to devote the extra time needed for training in new skills? Do you enjoy being the expert, or are you interested in being a supportive amateur?

Many positions require a volunteer who has developed skill with certain equipment, such as computers, or who has experience in a particular area such as communications, negotiation, or community relations. You might decide to make use of your professional skills or do something which you already enjoy as a hobby.

If you are passionate about community activism, consider recruiting other volunteers for your favorite cause. If you feel strongly that Organization X needs better financial management and you have the necessary skills, volunteer for their board of directors as treasurer or become a member of the finance committee.

Using an existing skill will allow you to contribute right away, without training to prepare for the assignment. This is a time and cost saving for the organization.

On the other hand, if you neeed a break from the tasks you perform at your day job, try to find a volunteer opportunity in an area which will provide novelty or change. You can often find volunteer opportunities where the organization is willing to train a newcomer in an unfamiliar skill.

Many nonprofits seek out people who are willing to learn, especially if the needs they serve are specialized or unique. Be aware, though, that such work will require more effort and a potentially greater time commitment for training before the actual volunteer assignment begins. Make sure you are willing to commit to this before volunteering for these responsibilities.

Can you commit the necessary time?

Make sure the volunteer position you want fits into your life. You don’t want to shortchange your employer, exhaust yourself, irritate your family, or disappoint the organization you’re trying to help. Better to start out slowly than to promise to work a schedule you can’t — or don’t want to — commit to.

If your work or family schedule doesn’t allow for working on-site as a volunteer, consider Virtual Volunteering. If you have computer skills and Internet access, some organizations will welcome your offer to do off-site volunteer tasks such as updating membership/donor records, producing brochures and press releases, designing logos and posters, or being a contact person for questions about the organization. (You’ve seen those links on non-profit web sites that say info@agencyx.org? Somebody has to monitor those emails and forward them to the appropriate staff member!)

Be prepared to answer questions.

Applying for a volunteer position may require the same sort of preparation you make for applying for a new day job. If you offer to donate your time, you may be asked to fill out an application, come in for an interview, and provide references. While most not-for-profit organizations are eager to find volunteer help, they have to be careful when accepting the services people offer. They have a responsibility to ensure that their volunteers are able to perform assigned tasks, and can work well with the rest of their paid and volunteer team. If the volunteer position you’re applying for involves financial responsibilities or if the work involves children or other at-risk populations, there are also legal constraints and sometimes regulatory guidelines for the organization to consider.

When you volunteer, you give part of yourself–your time, energy, skills and feelings. You give to your family and friends, to your neighbours, to your community. Sometimes, you are giving to people you don’t know, to people thousands of miles away. From my own experience, you get as much out of it as you put into it — often, you get a whole lot more.

So, roll up your sleeves and get involved!

Over the next few months you will see several articles from the STC-Rochester Nominations Committee with suggestions for ways to share your time and talents with Rochester-area colleagues. Pay attention. We need you!