Get on Board: Entraining Volunteers Ben Woelk Chair, Community Affairs Committee December 10, 2013 I’ve found volunteering in leadership in my local chapter (Rochester) to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. Volunteering has stretched me and equipped me as a better leader. I don’t have a magic formula. However, STC Rochester fills 8-10 council positions each year. That’s more than 10% of the community engaged in leadership. http://streamlinermemories.info/?p=126

The Community Leader as Ticket Agent Get to know your members (and potential members) Gather testimonials (http://benwoelk.com/why-i-value-stc-rochester/) Meet prospects individually http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CONDUCTOR_AT_DODGE_CITY,_KANSAS,_PUNCHES_A_TICKET_FOR_A_PASSENGER_ON_AN_EASTBOUND_SOUTHWEST_LIMITED._THE_RAIL..._-_NARA_-_556007.jpg Volunteers are the heart of the community. They enable us to offer meaningful services to our members. However, getting volunteers can be challenging. Issuing a cattle call doesn’t usually lead to good results. Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y all have different priorities that you must consider when recruiting them.

Identifying Likely Passengers Who’s hanging out at the station? (regular attendees) Who wants be a conductor or engineer? (leadership-related program) Who are the business travelers? (companies that support STC) Who are the frequent travelers? (former/current volunteers) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Los_Angeles_Union_Station_(5603957705).jpg

Buying a Ticket to Ride Where’s this train going? (vision for the community) What’s expected along the way? (council meetings and other obligations) Am I in for the long haul? (time, responsibilities) Will it be an adventure? (leadership experience, fun) Can I get a discount ticket? (students) streamlinermemories.info Where’s this train going? (vision for the community) What’s expected along the way? (council meetings and other obligations) What’s my commitment? (time, responsibilities) What’s in it for me? (leadership experience, fun) Can I get a discount? (students)

Providing First Class Accommodations http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Turquoise_Room_Santa_Fe_Super_Chief_1951.JPG Who will make sure I’m comfortable? (mentoring) Is there a rewards program? (recognition)

Commissary Leadership resources http://stc.org/mystc/resources/leadership-resources Checklists Leadership Webinars Outreach Team Reps Community Affairs Committee (cac@stc.org) http://jewlgurl.deviantart.com/art/Stock-Old-Brick-Building-with-Wooden-Trestle-308736961

Railway Post Office Ben Woelk ben.woelk@gmail.com @benwoelk http://www.linkedin.com/in/benwoelk http://www.slideshare.net/bwoelk Community Affairs Committee cac@stc.org @stccac http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Loading_Mail_onto_Railway_Post_Office_Car.jpg