Mr. Jackie Hendrix, Chairman of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, began with an icebreaker (which he told us to get used to). He then explained what the Chamber of Commerce is and what it does before telling us about his volunteer activity. He is on the scholarship board at Northwest Shoals Community college, on the Home Builder's Association board (has been since he was 22), and used to be on the Red Cross board. The first reason he gave us for why he can be involved in so many things that take up a good portion of time is because he doesn't have any children. But he also reminded us that we simply have to make it a point to volunteer. He also has a problem saying no (a problem I also have...when it comes to some things).
Besides volunteering for the sole purpose of reaching out to the community, Mr. Hendrix recommended volunteering in order to network with people and to be able to include volunteer activities on our resumes. Being involved looks good, and networking allows us to build connections that will one day (hopefully) help us find a job. Networking also allows people to not just find a job, but advance the job they already have. Mr. Hendrix's opinion is that volunteering for slightly selfish reasons (wanting to network) is okay, as long as it is not the main reason. He looks upon volunteering as a win-win situation. He advised us not to turn down opportunities for selfish reasons. (Example: I just don't want to.)
Personally, I find it very hard to network with people because I am not a people person and cannot strike up a conversation with just anyone. I become very comfortable around certain people and then have trouble branching out. (It took me the good part of the first semester of college to become comfortable living in Lafayette and interacting with the people I now call my friends.) I realize, if I am going to become a professional person one day, connections are essential and networking is how I establish connections, but I"m definitely going to have to work on my people skills. Mr. Hendrix did give us some help on how to work the crowd: ask questions, ask follow-up questions, use names in conversations to remember the names, and be bold.
The 80/20 rule applies to every part of life (which, someone else also just mentioned in a presentation just this week). It means that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. Mr. Hendrix warned us to not be the 80% of people who do nothing. "Don't be bashful," he said. Get involved early and passionate about whatever it is you do. He, like previous speakers, emphasized that getting involved is a social responsibility.
Mr. Hendrix also reminded us that upsetting people is okay (yikes! I hate upsetting people...I am such a people-pleaser). But sometimes--rather, usually--upsetting people is the only way to advance something you really want done.
He also reminded us to stay balance and to not let things get out of control, which can happen very quickly if we are not careful. I also learned the meaning of Peter's Principle, which is promoting someone to the level of incompetence.
Update on volunteer activity: I've signed up to help with the BBBS gift wrap fund raiser in December.
No comments:
Post a Comment