Volunteering is a Two-Way Street

If we learned anything this year about running our organizations in the midst of chaos, it is the value and vitality of the volunteers that helped us survive these uncertain times.  This is true with our own associations and certainly true for NYSAE.

This past year, in particular, we found that association volunteers with experience and business instinct were irreplaceable. They helped us power through never ending challenges and created relevant and enticing virtual events for our members.  They sparked creativity and forced us to think out of the box.  Most importantly, they helped identify the cliffs on the road ahead and ways to extinguish the fires they have already lived through in their own associations.

For NYSAE, volunteers are our lifeblood……in pandemic times and always.

Here’s how. Many of us in the association world have had several jobs over the span of our careers so far.  We learned different skills at each of these jobs, had unique experiences.  When NYSAE volunteers bring this vast experience to the table, they enrich our organization, help us build a stronger NYSAE, and stop us from spinning wheels searching for solutions. This experience increases our capacity by contributing these specialized and relevant skills. 

Our volunteers this year have helped us recast ourselves in a digital world and provided bridges to our younger generations.  We found a new corps of people not bound to an organization defined in traditional ways and an old value proposition.  Their voices helped us change and grow in new ways. And we found members who connected with us on our virtual platforms and stepped up with greater service to the organization. 

And our volunteers had takeaways as well.

NYSAE provides ways for next generation professionals to hone their leadership skills in a non-threatening environment away from their day jobs.  It provides ways for our volunteers to build their professional reputations.  Shared stories helped us to learn about other associations either like our own or ones that were quite different – broadening our association horizons.

Our volunteers are also now more reflective of the diversity of our membership. Racial and Social Justice initiatives are now built into our budget for next year, thanks to volunteers bringing that perspective to the table. 

So, join us.

NYSAE recast itself over the past two years and our membership is thrilled with how we have evolved.  This evolution came about with the strong support of our Executive Director and her Kellen team, but could not have survived without our volunteer involvement and input…. not just our Board of Directors…. but also, members contributing at every level of the organization. What excitement this has brought to our organization.  As we continue to grow to meet the needs of a changing membership, we need your help.

Volunteer with us.  We make it easy and effortless.  You will grow professionally and know that you are helping your profession as well. NYSAE will give you exposure to others in your field that can help you solve a problem, be a good fit for your staff or offer even offer you a new position.  You will become professionally connected.  Build your resume.  Become an even better leader.

Most importantly, you will become a part of something greater than yourself – a key concept in the association world.

It’s a win/win.  You will grow professionally in unimaginable ways. NYSAE will benefit from the skills and talent you bring to the table.

Please contact me directly to get started at jbarry@nysscpa.org. 

 

Joanne S. Barry, CAE

CEO/Executive Director, New York State Society of CPAs