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Use Volunteering to Boost Career Skills

By Loretta Spencer
Mayor - Huntsville. Alabama

Years of volunteer service, many in leadership roles, were perhaps the best preparation for the duties of managing the city of Huntsville. Skills such as – how to work as part of a team, how to accomplish a lot with a limited budget and always remembering to thank people who have helped – are the lifeblood of volunteer organizations and also needed in a role of leadership. Activities with community organizations also increase one’s awareness of problems and opportunities.

Women in leadership roles usually have strong backgrounds as volunteers. How do you find your first volunteer post? Opportunities present themselves naturally. They may come early through youth volunteer programs and continue throughout one’s professional and personal life.

Juggling the roles of wife, mother, daughter, businesswoman and volunteer hones your organization skills. Both require careful planning and creative thinking. Volunteer positions can provided a rich education in all aspects of community life from arts, culture and beautification to homelessness, public housing and attracting businesses and conventions.

You can grow beyond church and school volunteer posts into those with more community-wide impact and visibility. Use contacts you established through your volunteer work. Once you have established yourself, opportunities will come to you. Diversity in volunteer work is important. It allows you to cross paths with more people and allows you to gain many career skills.

It is also important to become selective once you become known as an active volunteer. You will be continually called upon if you are successful. Make sure you are involved in worthwhile projects while establishing your reputation and credibility with the agencies you represent. If you exhibit the time and dedication necessary to be successful in volunteer work, you will be sought after for high-profile volunteer posts.

Volunteer experiences can teach many skills that will prove useful in your career. Volunteering experience transfers to business–Knowledge gained from working with the United Way proves useful at City Hall. Working on a finance committee might be among the most powerful transfer lessons.

Community involvement as a volunteer will make you more aware of your city or state’s strengths and weaknesses. In order to make a difference, you too may decide to move from the sidelines directly into public office.

Mayor Spencer walks the talk, with a healthy mix of community activities & awards: Laughlin Service Funeral Home Board of Directors; First United Methodist Church; Army Relations Committee; Huntsville Boys & Girls Club; Crimestoppers Board; Huntsville-Madison County Botanical Gardens Board; Community Free Clinic Board; Alabama Film Commission; Olympic Torch Run & Celebration; Von Braun Center Board of Control; Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; City of Huntsville Planning Commission; Huntsville Land Trust Board; Research Park Board; United Way Board of Directors, Allocations Committee; Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center Board; Virginia Hamill Simms Award for Contributions to the Arts; Boy’s Club Medallion; Girl Scouts of North Alabama Scroll of Honor; National Conference for Community & Justice Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award; Senior Center Path of Honor; Girls Incorporated "She Knows Where She’s Going" Award; Rotary Club Vocational Excellence Award; United Cerebral Palsy Johnny Evans Humanitarian Award; Outstanding Teacher Award, Huntsville Presidents’ Council, and Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority.

Mayor Spencer is proud of the fact that both of her children are active in volunteer organizations & serve on several community boards. Volunteerism & community service have become family traditions.

For Women’s Exchange membership information or advertising rates Call 205-967-0085 or e-mail linda@womens-exchange.com.