Put the shoe on the other foot

I love working with volunteers. I love being a volunteer even more. If you rely on volunteers for your special events, fundraising, office support or anything else in your organization, then you must take the time to experience what they experience. You must volunteer your time and services.

I spent last Saturday working with a great group of television producers and filmmakers during the Marble City 10-hour Film Festival. This is no small event. Thirty teams had 10 hours to write, shoot and edit a 3-minute short film in a selected genre and incorporating secret items into their film (this year's items were a dozen eggs, string of pearls and a compass).

I had an amazing time and met the coolest people on earth that share my passion for film making. Plus, I felt like I made a difference and really helped the event go more smoothly. Most importantly, I have already committed to helping out again next year.

So, what did I learn from sacrificing my Saturday for someone elses event that I wish every volunteer coordinator understood?

1. Volunteers are there to have fun. These folks are giving up their precious time, energy and talents to help you out. This isn't a parole sentence. This is a chance to get involved and have fun with people who have the same interests, cares and passions.

2. Volunteers want to feel needed, empowered, important...and wanted. I know it is hard sometimes to work with volunteers when it seems it would be easier to just do it yourself. But that defeats the whole purpose of utilizing volunteers. Studies have shown that people that volunteer for an organization are more likely to donate to the organization. So take a few minutes before each event to create job descriptions, responsibilities and expectations so every volunteer knows what they are doing throughout the event and what to do if they have questions or something goes wrong. Mostly, though, volunteers just want to feel like they aren't in the way and wasting their time. They choose your organization to donate their time. Don't make them wonder if they made a wrong decision.

3. Volunteers want to meet new people and expand their networks. It can be nerve-racking to volunteer with a group for the first time, especially if you don't know anyone else with the group. We all envision making new friends or meeting someone who can help in our search for a new job or clients. Provide your volunteers an opportunity to interact with other volunteers; to make new friends and enjoy themselves while working hard for the organization. Volunteers who feel like part of a team and that they "belong" are more likely to volunteer again.

4. Volunteers want others to know they volunteer. I can't tell you how many people I told about the Marble City 10-hour Film Festival. I had such a good time that I wrote about it on Facebook, tweeted about the event all day long and have gushed about the outcome for the past three days. Provide a volunteer an unforgettable experience and you will have the best promoter for your event and organization.

5. Volunteers want to be thanked. And thanked. And thanked again.

I have had many volunteer experiences that were not so good and there are organizations that I will never volunteer with again. Every volunteer experience is a chance for me to learn how I like to be treated and to talk to other volunteers about why they volunteer and how they want to be supported. I also get to learn from the event planners and volunteer coordinators without sacrificing my own events. I have gained invaluable experience by learning from the mistakes of others.

Every time I volunteer, I become better at my job, have fun, meet new people and help the community. I can't think of a better way to spend my "spare" time. So, put the shoe on the other foot and volunteer your time for a cause you admire. I promise you won't regret it.