The first time I sat on a committee was as an early-career fundraising coordinator. I worked for a symphony orchestra which had just launched their first-ever car lottery (it was an Acura, if memory serves). Meetings took place over 7 a.m. breakfast each week. The meetings were focused, productive and had an element of good-natured banter. I worked alongside some keen volunteers, business owners and community leaders, who saw me as an integral and equal member of the team. Everyone left the meeting with targets to hit and tasks to complete. Accountability was high, and results were strong. Later, when those committee members became board members, we already had established strong, respectful working relationships that paid dividends during a rocky period in that orchestra’s life.
Fast forward to the mid 20-teens, when I worked for a charity that lived on seven annual fundraising events. Each had a committee, with differing tone and focus. Each committee had a different take on the role that the staff member(s) played, from “why are you here?” through to “we’re the ideas, and you’re the implementer”. Some saw net revenue as the committee’s sole purpose, while seeing themselves as hospitable decorators, and leaving the money part to staff.
Each committee member was united in their passion for the place and was deeply committed to their event’s success. Each one started off unsteady, wobbly and a group of individuals and each one ended as a tightly-knit unit, with each one knowing each other’s roles, strengths and each one willing to support and help in tricky situations. I gained an understanding of these volunteers’ strengths and passions, and thanks to the rapport that we’d built, I could call on them to help the organization in other, important ways.
With all the seemingly inevitable committee work that is tied to working in our sector, I’ve been reluctant to volunteer for boards and committees in my private life. It seemed too much like work.
I’ve done turnabout on this, since I realized that, through the range and sheer volume of committee work I’ve been part of, I’ve gained experience to bring to the volunteer table. All of us, as sector experts, have skills and knowledge that can help committees be more cohesive, impactful and functional.
I’ve recently joined an HR committee at a local charity. I’ve attended a couple of meetings with long-serving and over-tasked volunteers who’ve given a lot of time and experienced some tough challenges. They seem happy to have a new voice at the table, and we’re fast friends! I feel like a sense of connection building and I have spotted a few places where I think I can add value. Why? Because I just wrapped up six years on a workplace HR committee, and I can bring some of what I’ve learned to my new volunteer role.
By virtue of our paid work, all of us have gathered up knowledge, skills and committee experience that can be a gift to a charity. You have so much to share! And for the staff that work at the charity where you volunteer, you’ll be a breath of fresh air as you bring your understanding of the demands and the joys of charitable sector work.
Your commitment to a volunteer committee will lead to strengthened, resilient relationships that are focused, skilled, and achieve organizational objectives. You’ll be the glue that binds the organization’s members together.
You’ll be strengthening your community.
