How are you progressing with your professional development goals?

There are many ways to develop or strengthen your skills and today I would like to highlight volunteer opportunities as developmental experiences.

I personally believe that everyone should do something to get involved and give back to their community. By “community” I am referring to the people that surround you – whether it’s the geographical place where you live, the place where you worship, or the profession you chose.

In addition to the altruistic benefits, volunteering can also be a fantastic way to learn!

I’ll use two of my experiences as examples.

Leadership Development

I serve as the board president of my professional association. Everyone on the board is a volunteer. This experience has helped me evolve my leadership style. When everyone is a volunteer it’s essential to motivate and inspire, to show appreciation, and to hold people accountable. This role has heightened my focus on those leadership skills and helped me take them to the next level. 

DEI Exposure

I am on the Board of Trustees for the HELP Foundation. We support pathways that give individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the chance to thrive and reach their full ability, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive community. This experience has broadened my exposure to more diverse communities and deepened my understanding of those communities. 

So, as you work on your professional development, I encourage you to explore volunteer experiences as part of your development plan. 

Many businesses support volunteer service and allow you to do some of your volunteer work “on company time.” 

And even if they don’t have an official policy, if you speak with your boss about using your volunteer commitment as part of your development plan, you might be surprised by how much support they offer.

And if you need some help figuring out how to do this, I would be happy to provide you with a complimentary consultation.

Wishing you the best!

P.S. Both organizations I listed above are currently searching for new board members. Contact me if you want to learn more!