10 Things They Never Tell You About Being a Volunteer Leader– But You Need

to Know

Susan R. Meisinger, SPHR, Esq.

Virginia State Council Leadership Conference

January 8, 2011

So Who Am I To Talk?

More than 20 Years with SHRM Tens of Thousands of SHRM Volunteers The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

1. Being a Volunteer Leader

They never tell the truth about how much work is ahead of you.– Those that recruited you to this role probably

weren’t completely honest or accurate. – They wanted to make sure someone else took the

job.– They didn’t warn you about “the box.”

2. Being a Volunteer Leader

They never told you how much time you’ll have to spend behind the scenes and that the members won’t realize how hard you’re working. – So the members won’t say thanks – So there may be times when you really feel

unappreciated If you’re driven by member-recognition for all

of your work, you may be disappointed.

3. Being a Volunteer Leader

They’ll never tell you that you really can’t leave a legacy. – But you can lead or be part of a team that leaves

a legacy.– You can’t do it alone; if you try, you’ll fail and

you’ll burn out.– You need a shared vision with your colleagues

4. Being a Volunteer Leader

They’ll never tell you that SHRM Membership Staff – Loves you, and– Fears you

Being a Volunteer Leader

SHRM Staff know they can’t survive without you, the volunteers

They’re thrilled with the passion you bring But it can be overwhelming to them;

remember, not every volunteer is as kind, thoughtful, generous, gentle, understanding as you all are!

Being a Volunteer Leader

SHRM Staff is ALWAYS balancing the demands among and between members, chapters, state councils, and headquarters.

Please be patient!

5. Leading Other Volunteers

They never tell you that sometimes, with volunteers, you get what you pay for….– Work and Life Intervenes– Resume Rats– Never played well with others while growing up

It requires learning “sweet pressure” to help people meet their commitments

6. Leading Other Volunteers

They never tell you that for some volunteers, their volunteer role is the pinnacle of their career, and they have way too much invested in their role – or how they feel their role should be viewed.– Are you one of those people?

No volunteer role with SHRM is worth loss of job, family and friends!

7. Leading Other Volunteers

They never tell you that the more prepared you are the higher the level of trust you’ll garner from other volunteers.– Any disorganization will reduce the perceived

professionalism of your leadership– The devil may be in the details– If it’s not your strength, delegate!

8. The Volunteer Experience and Your Pesky Day Job

They never tell you just how valuable the skills you gain as a volunteer leader will be to you as an HR professional.– You have to be able to influence others to do their

jobs without the benefit of compensation or employment as leverage.

– Great HR leaders are influencers; HR doesn’t have line authority across an organization. It succeeds through influence.

9. The Volunteer Experience and Your Pesky Day Job

They never tell you that as a volunteer, you’ll be more valuable to your employer.– Welbourne Study released this week.– People who volunteered had more energy in their

jobs; eePulse research shows that increased energy is directly predictive of individual, team and firm performance.

The Volunteer Experience and Your Pesky Day Job

An understanding of governance will help you to better understand your own corporate governance.

Increased awareness of public policy developments and their impact on the business will make you a valued resource to your corporate leadership.

10. Being a Volunteer Leader

They never tell you you’ll build an incredible network of friends and colleagues that will travel with your throughout your career – no matter where you are, or where you work.– You will always have someone you know and

trust, that you can call, and ask “Am I crazy or are they?”

And Finally…

They never tell you that what you do really matters! So I will:

Thank You For All That You Do –– For the Profession– For your HR Colleagues– For SHRM!