Are you a Volunteer? Or . . . ? 

The very word “volunteer” makes me cringe! Probably sounds like an odd statement coming from one who is always trying to convince my colleagues to get just a bit more involved in a professional organization, to participate on a project team, join a committee, or seek additional networking opportunities by offering to pitch in for one or more events!

But notice that I haven’t suggested you volunteer. In years past, when I was active in LA-CAMFT and AAMFT, you might have seen an email from me, talked with me a bit, heard an announcement I made at one of our events . . . and, if you were paying attention (my hope!), you might have noticed that not once did the word “volunteer” pass my lips (or appear in my emails!). Nor did I ever ask anyone to “help” or “work” with us. (Two other cringe words!) What I did do was invite you to do more than just attend. I invited you to get involved.

What’s so bad, so very wrong about encouraging volunteerism? About asking people to work with an organization or to help out? Not a thing—if what leadership is asking of you is to freely and generously offer services to help the group—with no expectation of anything except perhaps psychic rewards! Helping, volunteering, working to offer services to those in need, for a good cause, are all worthy endeavors. And helping others usually makes us feel good.

However, to me, the very term volunteer implies that not much except that good feeling is expected in return. It suggests that you are being asked to offer your help, time, labor, and possibly some money, in order accomplish something the organization thinks is important, but you really should not expect to get much in return, except for fervent appreciation! Not the impression I ever hoped to give, when I invited you to participate!

So — what now? Why would you ever decide to spend your time participating in event organization, on a committee, as a board member, as a greeter, at the registration table, and so much more? After all, if you think of that participation as volunteering, working, offering your precious time, just to help out . . . well, why would you want to do that?

Here’s why: Your participation is an even trade! Your involvement can enhance your networking and help you create lots of good connections. Your organization gets your support, as the board prepares for events, forms committees, develops leadership positions, etc. And, in return, you have the opportunity to be more professionally involved, in order to extend your networking contacts, build your leadership skills, learn more about your professional organizations, join one or more collaborative teams, develop a support network, make valuable contacts and new friends, and, maybe most important, have fun!

Now doesn’t that sound more appealing than just “volunteering?”

Every organization needs member involvement in order to continue to flourish. And leaders always hope you will see value in joining an organizational team. No Board of Directors, no committee chairs can operate alone—member involvement is essential. When members step up to get involved, to support leadership, to collaborate, to join teams, everyone learns and grows, organizationally, personally, and professionally.

Don’t miss the fun! If you find value in attending your organization’s meetings and other events, if you’d like to enhance your networking options and skills, now is the time to get involved! Let any board or committee member know that you’d like to participate in large or small ways or if you’d like to aim for a leadership position. Your participation will be appreciated by all—and hopefully, the benefit will be mutual. 

And I can promise that extending your participation will benefit you at least as much as it will benefit your organization!   

This article originally appeared in the LA-CAMFT newsletter, the LA Therapist Update, in 2012 and has been updated for this issue of Voices. 

Karen Wulfson, LMFT, has a private practice in Beverly Hills, where she helps clients communicate more effectively to reduce conflict, anger, stress in their lives. Karen works primarily with professional men and encourages involvement of family members in client sessions. Karen has previously been extensively involved on the Board of LA‐CAMFT, as Vice‐President and Event Coordinator, and was Co‐Chair of the Santa Monica‐West LA District of AAMFT. Contact Karen through her website: www.karenwulfson.com.