Synergist - June/July 2009

From the Grassroots
The Volunteer Ethic

BY DIANNE GROTE ADAMS

During AIHce 2009 in Toronto, I heard the same complaint I have been hearing for the past several years from our local section leaders—that no one is willing to volunteer as an officer. This complaint is not unique to the industrial hygiene community. Participation in most professional associations, on both the national and local levels, is down. Churches and charities are short of personnel to carry out their missions. I find this very disappointing.

AIHA, however, should be different. Statistics show that AIHA members volunteer more often than the general public. According to a 2007 study conducted by the American Society of Association Executives and The Center for Association Leadership (ASAE and The Center), AIHA members volunteer more hours and support more organizations than the average American volunteer. (For more information about the survey, see “The Volunteer Experience” by Beth Gazeley in the January 2009 Synergist.)

Of the 1,800 AIHA members who responded to the survey from ASAE and The Center, 65 percent reported that they contribute more than 50 hours volunteering per year—the average yearly commitment for all American volunteers. One-third of AIHA respondents said that they contribute 100 hours or more each year. And while the vast majority of U.S. volunteers support just one organization, 25 percent of AIHA respondents support four or more organizations.

Leaders in Training

These statistics suggest that the volunteer ethic is strong in AIHA members. So why,

year after year, do I hear the same complaints about lack of volunteers from local section leaders?

It turns out that most of our members’ volunteer activity occurs for charities. Only 30 percent of the AIHA members who responded to the survey from ASAE and The Center reported that they had volunteered for AIHA. Forty percent of respondents say they contribute fewer than 12 hours per year to AIHA.

Of course, our members’ commitment to charities is inspiring and commendable. It also suggests that our members may feel overcommitted already. I often share this feeling.

However, I have found considerable value in volunteering for my AIHA local section. On the surface, volunteering is about giving, helping others, and improving the community. But in practice, what you get from volunteering for AIHA may be more valuable than what you contribute.

Volunteering enhances your reputation. It brands you and sets you apart from the masses. These benefits will help you achieve objectives in your career and your personal life.

A natural byproduct of volunteering is networking. We all know that networking is essential to advancing your career, building a business, and finding assistance from people you can trust. I find networking during volunteer activities much easier and more rewarding than attending events supposedly dedicated to networking.

Volunteer activities in AIHA enhance
your leadership and communication skills.
Motivating unpaid volunteers is a skill
that will serve you well in your career,
and learning how to manage your time
so that you can volunteer and meet other
obligations is invaluable. AIHA provides
these leadership opportunities.

Take the Plunge

Volunteering is a long-term commitment, and it isn’t easy. But if you’re one of the AIHA members who has not yet given time and energy to an organization, I encourage you to put your toe in the water and begin to participate in AIHA.

If you have time limitations, communicate them. Take on only a piece of a project, or find someone to share the position or workload with you. But don’t let your time constraints prevent you from volunteering. In the long run, your influence in our professional community will help you grow in ways you never considered.

DianneGroteAdams,CIH,CSP,CPEA,ispresident ofSafex,Inc.,inWesterville,Ohio,andapastchairof AIHA’ sLocalSectionCouncil.Shecanbereachedat (614) 890-0800 or dgroteadams@safex.us.