On Monday I attended a meeting for YNPN-Chicago‘s Programming Committee. I decided that while I’m looking for work I should also get into some skills-based volunteering. You know, to repair that gaping hole in my résumé. It was great to meet the group of people in charge of the networking events, workshops and other programs given by YNPN. They tossed around ideas about how to make the events more engaging, how these events can encourage membership, and especially how they can promote diversity and inclusion. (One woman there was the resident expert on diversity. I loved this quote from her, “Diversity is inviting someone to the dance. Inclusion is asking them to dance.”) So we talked about how we can reach out to other groups around Chicago and connect with them. This meeting was a very low-key but great start for me to understand how programming works.

However, I realize that if I’m going to help them as well as gain some good experience, I’m going to need to work independently. They don’t necessarily have set jobs for individuals. It’s much more fluid and encourages people to help in areas that pique their interest. But now I know that I’m going to be doing a lot of research, brain-storming and even connecting with people from other associations. I’m going to have to be very bold.

For any volunteer, it’s good to recognize whether a new opportunity requires them to be on their own or to answer to a supervisor. If this is ever unclear, it’s important to communicate with the organization to make sure everyone knows what to do. It also helps the volunteer decide if they want a job where they work exclusively with and learn from a supervisor, or would they rather start their own projects.

I’m nervous about the responsibility of creating ideas and implementing them on my own. Only because I’m still learning about all the different associations and companies in this city with whom we can collaborate. But I have no doubt that the other members of the committee would be willing to help me come up with ideas and make me feel like I can contribute.

It might require a little bit of homework, but I’ve never shied away from being busy. Stay tuned for some brilliant plans coming Chicago’s way.

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