Have You Considered Volunteering?

Article from IAA Insites Newsletter
People volunteer to serve on committees for various reasons – because they like to give back, because they believe in a particular cause, or to fill a need. But most significantly, there is a professional and/or personal return for them. People get involved in their professional organization to:

• Network with colleagues
• Increase visibility
• Add professional activities to a resume
• Share knowledge and experience with colleagues

Typically, volunteers select a specific position or activity based on available assignments, the amount of time that can be committed to the effort and requisite qualifications. Have you thought about how volunteering can be integrated into your plans for professional growth? For example, serving on a membership committee could increase your marketing skills. It is important to ask yourself some questions before volunteering for a committee:

1. How can accepting a committee position help my career and move me one step closer to my professional goals?
2. What is my goal for being a volunteer?
3. What expectations do I have for this volunteer assignment?
4. How much time and energy can I realistically give to volunteering?

Volunteering within a professional organization should be viewed as a learning experience. Think of it as a career development activity and therefore a way to enhance your career goals. According to Bill Raisor, a long-term associate member with Keltner, Inc., "Committee involvement is worth the time and effort. While attending events is a great way to meet new prospects and see current customers, committee membership leads to stronger, more deeply rooted relationships. Overtime other members see you as a leader within the industry and this adds credibility to your company, products and services."

Did you ever have an internship or participate in a field service project as part of your undergraduate or graduate studies? Those experiences were usually linked to your major or professional specialty with learning and performance objectives built into the experience. A similar approach could be taken when considering volunteering on an IAA committee. Not only will you be giving back to your association, you will also be enhancing your career.

As a Regional Property Manager for NTS Development Company, Gabrielle Gonzalez is busy…but she understands the value of volunteering on IAA committees. She says, "Participation on IAA committees provides me with an opportunity to gain valuable perspective through interaction with other industry professionals and colleagues. It also gives me a good feeling to know that I can contribute to our industry through avenues other than my primary job with my company."

Volunteer on an IAA Committee

Work alongside fellow members to develop your leadership skills and contribute to the meetings and apartment industry. Available committees are as follows:

• Convention/Trade Show Committee: Meets 8 times a year; concludes in November. Assist with booth sales, solicit and collect door prizes. Help at convention during trade show. This committee works on all aspects of the convention, from trade show to offering ideas for President's Awards Dinner. This is a very very interactive and fun committee!
• Education/Convention Seminars Committee: Meets 5-6 times a year. Assist with topics, facilities and speakers for seminars and Morning Motivators. Brainstorm seminar ideas for education programs and convention. This committee works as a 'think tank' for the training programs - offering ideas and speaker suggestions
• "FUN" Meeting Committee: Meets 6 times a year. This committee decides themes and plans events for 3 "FUN" meetings throughout the year. Members also solicit door prizes. A FUN committee to be on!
• Golf Committee: Meets 5 times - starts in March, concludes by June. Members of the golf Committee plan the annual golf outing. Members help obtain sponsors for the event and solicit door prizes. They also help on the day of the outing. (If you volunteer for the Golf Committee, you may get to drive a golf cart!)
• R&R Club: Meets 6-8 times a year. R&R stands for "Recruitment and Retention." This is a really important committee for IAA. It entails making telephone calls, sending emails and possibly visiting prospective members and helping with the annual membership drive.

Another important aspect is helping retain current members by checking in with them periodically, gaining necessary feedback on programs and activities. Think about joining an IAA volunteer committee: you'll meet new people, experience new ideas and work toward advancing your career and IAA - your industry association.