I recently agreed to help out an organization.

• I’ve belonged for a while.
• It’s a strategic effort.
• Seemed like a good fit.

The process involves a series of gates.

• Part A must happen before Part B, etc.
• I’m Part B.
• We all committed to a timeline over a month ago.

Haven’t heard from Part A.

• Sent an email.
• Was told they got involved in other work stuff.
• This is now a lower priority.

The crunch is on.

• Part C is a hard deadline.
• It’s a meeting.
• No wiggle room.

I’m frustrated.

• I expected at least two weeks to review materials.
• Instead I might get four days
• In an already busy week.

It’s not fair.

• My work will get a lot of exposure.
• The quality reflects on me professionally.
• I may take the hit for Part A’s crummy time management.

Feeling a tad grumpy.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you manage the flow of volunteer work in your chapter?

   (Am I wrong?)

You asked me to serve on your committee.

• Pretty high visi-posure.
• Important work.
• Required my special skills.

I attended first meeting two months ago.

• Process explained.
• Assignments made.
• And then nothing.

I feel like I’m in a black hole.

• No communication.
• No support.
• No clue if I’m on the right track.

Deadline is looming.

• My enthusiasm has waned.
• Unreturned emails leave me wanting.
• Does my contribution really matter?

Maybe I only dreamed I was part of your team?

Makes me think of chapter leaders…do your volunteers feel like they matter to you?

   I’m not sure.

Today I got a letter from an organization.

• There’s a neat opportunity coming to town in a few months.
• They are looking for volunteers.
• I have to fill out a form if interested.

Okay so far.

• I don’t mind showing my interest.
• And will fill out a simple form.

Whoops! Hit a snag…

• I’m supposed to fill out the form.
• And return via snail mail.
• Huh?

Who uses snail mail for volunteer applications?

• Where’s the online form?
• Why do I have to go buy stamps?
• And find an envelope too?

Wait! I can email my info in…

• BUT I have to recreate the form.
• Huh? It’s almost a full page of 10-point font.
• As if I have time to retype all of that!

If it’s this hard to offer to volunteer, can you imagine how hard it will be if they pick me to help?

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how hard is it for members to volunteer for you?

� � And yet the answers were valid.

Today I attended a small volunteer meeting.

• We had a specific purpose.
• And agenda spelled out.

One of the attendees had something on his mind.

• He shared the headline with us.
• We both had possible solutions for him.
• He quickly moved� from very frustrated to very hopeful.

Solutions shared, we moved on to the purpose of the meeting.

At the end, he thanked both of us profusely for our help.

• That’s not what the meeting was about.
• But guess it’s a benefit of being involved.
• He gave us both a hug.

He left the meeting excited to investigate our offered contacts.

• We left feeling good.
• About a solid meeting.
• And helping our new friend.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you help create space for members to connect in meaningful ways?

�

� � What’s going on?

Do you ever feel like your volunteer effort is going in a black hole?

• You get the request.
• You do the work.
• You send it in� - and don’t hear a word.

Where did your hard work go?

• If they didn’t get it, they would contact you, right?
• If they did get it, wouldn’t they contact you too?

A� black hole trend seems to be kicking up this summer.

• Has it come to your town?
• Have you been a victim?
• Have you been the cause?

An easy trick� - set up a special signature in your email program…

Thanks for your work! I appreciate all you are doing for our chapter.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Yours in an amazing project/year/event/etc.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � - Rosie, the Committeee Chair

A little communication can go a long way in creating good will.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…is their a volunteer black hole in your chapter?

�