I read this recent post, Making Your Passion a Higher Priority, and it hit close to home.
I have recently been asked to sit on the board of the young professionals chapter of my local chamber of commerce. I was flattered and immediately agreed. Not only do I believe in networking opportunities, I believe in my local business community.
Once a month I attend an hour-long meeting and help plan monthly, quarterly, and yearly activities. As the editor of a regional manager I feel it’s important for me to be involved in the community. But I was worried about how to fit my volunteer commitment into my work and personal life.
Luckily, my boss supports my appointment to the board as it helps promote our magazine to people who might be outside of our demographic. He’s been a local business owner for over 15 years and knows how important it is to get young people involved in the community. Plus I already attend chamber events anyway—now I get to have a say in how they’re organized and promoted.
I’ve also found that no only have I met a bunch of up and coming young business people that I’d only heard about, I’ve made some new friends and business contacts in the process. And since it’s a group made up of young professionals, most of the planning and events happen after the work day so no one has to ask for time off.
Do you volunteer for an organization or a cause? How do you manage your time?
Discussion