Clare O’Kelly, President of the Administrators of Volunteer Resources British Columbia (AVRBC), wrote this positive and passionate article to all AVRBC members – individuals who coordinate volunteers at BC nonprofit and public organizations – a couple of weeks ago. I believe it’s a must-read for all of us who work with volunteers, so with her permission we’ve reposted it here. For more information about the South Island chapter of AVRBC, please visit the AVRBC website or contact me at Volunteer Victoria.
I’ve always found September to be an exhilarating time of year. For many years I worked at a post-secondary institute and September was the time when we welcomed brand new students embarking on a whole new life experience. There was an excitement and a feeling of great potential and possibility as new classes started, and the hallways once again thronged with anxious young people. The less exciting part was noticing that each year the new students looked younger and I felt older! I feel a bit that way in my current career. Each year I see new practitioners at AVRBC meetings and events, and yet, as I move into my 17th year as an administrator of volunteers I continue to be passionate and energized by the profession and the day-to-day work that I do.
But it’s not always easy! Over 17 years I’ve probably conducted nearly 2,500 interviews; and led close to 170 orientation sessions, not to mention other training events. I’ve organized at least 17 large scale recognition events, and presented countless staff education sessions. Despite what is unfortunately often a revolving door of new professionals in our field (due to low wages, lack of career paths, etc.) there are many other long-term managers of volunteer resources who can no doubt relate to the challenge of harnessing the energy to conduct that 2,501st interview or lead that 171st orientation session with the same passion and engagement that was abundant 17 years ago.
In an online newsletter, “Free-range Thinking” at http://www.agoodmanonline.com/ newsletter/, the article “Once More With Feeling” told about an interviewer asking Tony Bennett how, after numerous years, he continued to be able to sing his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” with such gusto. Bennett admitted this was a challenge and proceeded to explain that before singing this particular song at any performance, he took a moment to reflect on the good things that the song had brought him. It had opened doors for him to sing before ‘kings and queens’, ‘presidents and prime ministers’, and played a big part in the opportunity to sing around the world to sold-out crowds. By reflecting on the positive things that the song had provided in his life, he was able to connect to the song and the audience with passion, feeling and gratitude.
The work we do is of great importance. It’s the bricks and mortar work of civic engagement. Through our efforts myriad services are provided to people around the world in every community. The privilege we have of working every day with people who really do want to give back to their communities, who want to do good, and contribute in a positive way to the world, is something many careers do not offer. By reflecting on this privilege, it really does make it easier to connect to the passion and energy that make an orientation session not only effective, but also fun! It makes it possible to conduct an interview with warmth and sincere interest.
Connecting with this passion, and recognizing the positive purpose of the jobs we do also spurs me to want to be involved in promoting our profession and the positive impact we can have in our communities and organizations. This is why I continue to be involved in AVRBC at the leadership level. Involvement with others who share the passion, who recognize what we have to offer, and recognize the value of the work we do, helps keep me focused on the positive outcomes. It also provides the opportunity to help shape the way volunteerism and our profession are viewed. I consider it a privilege to be able to be part of these efforts.
As you prepare for another influx of new volunteers, additional requests for development of new programs, and as you face the necessity to engage and educate staff one more time, I encourage you to think about the big picture – the importance of the work that you do and its value to your community and to the larger society. Reconnect with that passion, and help shape the future of volunteerism in your world.