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Calling All Volunteers!
By Shari Ward | January 19, 2008
Yes, I’m talking to you! You say you’re looking for a way to connect with other training and development professionals? You’d love the chance to share your skills and give back to our industry - perhaps act as an informal coach? You’re in “career transition” and searching for ways to get to know folks who might be hiring? Well, my friend, seek no further! I’ve got a way that you can accomplish all of these goals - and more. Volunteering…that’s the ticket! (Okay, I’m guilty of an obscure television reference) 
You may have heard me on PodCascadia sharing my thoughts on volunteering. My approach is to find out what you, the volunteer, are interested in learning or doing - and then matching that up with what we need to be done. I believe in maximizing your talents - not slotting a warm body into an opening just because it’s open. There is a lot of growth and development to be had through helping your chapter accomplish its goals.
Think about it. By volunteering, you are in contact with various other professionals, some of whom may need to know what you know; others who may be hiring; and still others who would love to bounce ideas off of you. All for the price of your time - it’s such a deal!
So, now that you see the value in volunteering, you may be asking, “Okay, Shari, so what can I do to help?” I’m so glad you asked! We have several great opportunities for you to put your skills and talents to work for our members:
- Our Marketing and Technology committees will be working together to update and redesign our chapter website this year. Those with web design experience or interest are needed for this. And, if you have web development experience using tools like Dreamweaver, there is a need for help with formatting and editing our job listings page of the site.
- Pat Lake is looking for several people to join her Series and Forums committee, which is the force behind our Fundamentals of Training and Managing Training series. She needs people with attention to detail to cover registrations and be on-point for events. A strong committment to customer service will contribute to your success. She’s also in need of a director for the committee - this is a great opportunity for someone looking for more in-depth involvement in the planning and administration functions.
- Our Social Learning Special Interest Group (SIG) has just kicked off and can benefit from volunteers with passion for learning technologies. If you are interested in facilitating and responding to conversations on the site, PLEASE get involved! Take it from a newbie blogger - it’s a great new way to network and collaborate!
- For those of you who find beauty in numbers, our Finance committee can certainly use more members. (Since I can barely get my checkbook to balance, I’ll leave this type of work to the professionals.)
- Finally, we continue to have opportunities for you to participate on the PodCascadia team as an editor, producer, or guest speaker. Send an email to the team at podcast@astdcascadia.org.
To take advantage of any of these opportunities, or if you have questions or concerns about volunteering, I’m always available to you at trainerlady@earthlink.net. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Other posts on similar topics- The Turkey and Stuffing–getting dirty with Real Work
- At some point, it all came together–and I did not even do that much!
- A Delicious 2008
- Calling All New Training Managers!
- ASTD Cascadia’s Board, Director and Volunteer roles
Topics: - Volunteer opportunites |