Why Should I Be An IEEE Volunteer Why Should I Be An IEEE Volunteer? What Will I Get Out of Being an IEEE Volunteer? Don C. Bramlett, PE, SMIEEE IEEE Region 4 – Director IEEE Southeastern Michigan Section DTE Energy – Project Engineer

Who is Volunteering 49% of American adults volunteered in 1995 7/18/2018 Who is Volunteering 49% of American adults volunteered in 1995 Over 50% of American between 25 and 54 years old 45% of all American men and 52% of all American women Increases with education attained, over 70% of college graduates volunteered an average of 4.8 hours a week Increases with household income, 69% with income over $100,000 18-Jul-18

7/18/2018 Type of Organizations People are most likely to volunteer for charitable and community service projects; many people want to “make a difference” or help to solve a problem Many trade and professional organizations, like IEEE, are finding it difficult to compete for their members’ volunteer time; numbers diminishing 3 18-Jul-18 3

More Opportunities for Networking 7/18/2018 More Opportunities for Networking Technical/Educational Professional Social Commercial Career/Employment 4 18-Jul-18 4

More Opportunities for Technical/Educational Networking 7/18/2018 More Opportunities for Technical/Educational Networking Meet people in my field of practice Meet people in other areas of practice Meet people inside & outside my company Meet experts in various engineering fields Make local, national & international contacts Actively participate in meeting tutorials, presentations, seminars, conferences, tours Personal discussions & communications 5 18-Jul-18 5

More Opportunities for Professional Networking 7/18/2018 More Opportunities for Professional Networking Exposure to management, leadership, project management, business administration issues Interface with individuals in other professions Meet people inside & outside my company Meet experts in various professional areas Make local, national & international contacts Actively participate in meetings, tutorials, presentations, seminars, conferences, tours 6 18-Jul-18 6

More Opportunities for Social Networking 7/18/2018 More Opportunities for Social Networking Attend general interest presentations Go to dinners and banquets Participate in singles/couples events Enjoy family events Play in golf outings Attend sporting events Attend cultural events 7 18-Jul-18 7

More Opportunities for Commercial Networking 7/18/2018 More Opportunities for Commercial Networking Interface with potential clients for services and customers for products Interface with potential suppliers of products and services Learn about products, services and suppliers Develop productive relationships 8 18-Jul-18 8

More Opportunities for Career/Employment Networking 7/18/2018 More Opportunities for Career/Employment Networking Exposure to employees & managers in own business/firm/institution Meet potential new employers Interface with possible new co-workers Recruit potential new employees Learn about consulting opportunities 9 18-Jul-18 9

Professional Development Opportunities 7/18/2018 Professional Development Opportunities Learn, develop and practice: Leadership skills Management skills Personal communication skills Public Speaking skills Meeting/Event planning skills 10 18-Jul-18 10

Leadership Skills Growth 7/18/2018 Leadership Skills Growth Interpersonal Communications: Personality types, motivating, team building, coaching, meeting personal needs, etc Conflict Management: Collaboration, compromise, etc Problem Solving & Decision Making: Brainstorming, synergistic decision making, cause mapping, KT techniques 11 18-Jul-18 11

Management Skills Growth 7/18/2018 Management Skills Growth Successful conduct of meetings Productive publicity Effective project controls Results oriented cost controls Auditable financial accounting Concise reporting techniques Good performance evaluation 12 18-Jul-18 12

Sense of Accomplishment 7/18/2018 Sense of Accomplishment I have a meaningful voice in the IEEE and event planning I have contributed in a meaningful way to the betterment of others and myself I only have to do what I want to do, like to do, and have time to do I can be adventuresome & try new things Others appreciate my efforts 13 18-Jul-18 13

7/18/2018 Reference Resource “Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them” By Helen Little Panacea Press, Inc. Naperville, IL 1999 14 18-Jul-18 14

7/18/2018 My needs as a Volunteer A specific manageable task with a beginning and an end A task that matches my interests and reasons for volunteering A good reason for doing the task Written instructions A reasonable deadline for doing the task 15 18-Jul-18 15

7/18/2018 My needs as a Volunteer Freedom to complete the task when and where it is most convenient for me Everything necessary to complete the task without interruption Adequate training A safe, comfortable and friendly working environment 16 18-Jul-18 16

My needs as a Volunteer Follow-up to see that the task is completed 7/18/2018 My needs as a Volunteer Follow-up to see that the task is completed An opportunity to provide feedback when the task is finished Appreciation, recognition and rewards that match my reasons for volunteering Value added to encourage employer to support volunteer efforts. 17 18-Jul-18 17

A task that matches interests and reasons for volunteering 7/18/2018 A task that matches interests and reasons for volunteering Volunteer motivations Affiliation – Power - Recognition Professional Growth - Networking Determine volunteer interest Polls – Surveys Interview volunteers 18 18-Jul-18 18

A good reason for doing the task 7/18/2018 A good reason for doing the task Work or task should be important to the functioning of the organization Volunteer must feel he/she is making a meaningful contribution TEAM – Together Each Achieves More Will lead to a greater level of commitment to the task 19 18-Jul-18 19

Written Instructions Job Description Work Directions 7/18/2018 Written Instructions Job Description Work Directions Detailed Instructions Letters of appreciation and thanks 20 18-Jul-18 20

A reasonable deadline for doing the task 7/18/2018 A reasonable deadline for doing the task Establish a schedule, interim milestones and deadline for completion of a task Mentor and follow-up with the volunteer on progress to completion of a task 21 18-Jul-18 21

7/18/2018 Freedom to complete the task when and where it is most convenient for the volunteer Avoid inefficient, time-consuming and wasteful face-to-face meetings Make use of conference calls and communication technologies Provide the volunteer flexibility Monitor progress of the volunteer 22 18-Jul-18 22

Needs everything necessary to complete the task without interruption 7/18/2018 Needs everything necessary to complete the task without interruption Provide the needed materials and info early in the process Plan the work and work the plan The 5Ps – Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance Increase the probability of success Mentoring and support needed 23 18-Jul-18 23

7/18/2018 Adequate Training Match training to the experience, needs and duties of the volunteer Offer alternatives for training Mentor and monitor volunteers Annual Section & Chapter training 24 18-Jul-18 24

A safe, comfortable and friendly working environment 7/18/2018 A safe, comfortable and friendly working environment Meeting locations need to be well identified, safe, secure and convenient Provide for special needs Volunteers need to feel welcome and be treated as valuable members of the team Mentor and monitor volunteers Volunteers will have a more positive image of the organization 25 18-Jul-18 25

Follow-up to see that the task is completed 7/18/2018 Follow-up to see that the task is completed Volunteers are colleagues & partners, not subordinates or employees Give opportunity to perform Monitor and provide feedback Be a coach and cheerleader Mentor and counsel, as needed Fire a volunteer, if necessary 26 18-Jul-18 26

Opportunity to provide feedback when the task is completed 7/18/2018 Opportunity to provide feedback when the task is completed Solicit feedback from volunteers Volunteers value the opportunity After Action Review (AAR) process Lessons learned opportunity Learn about problems encountered Prevent potential problems in the future and loss of volunteers 27 18-Jul-18 27

7/18/2018 Appreciation, recognition and rewards that match the reasons for volunteering One of the easiest and least expensive needs of a volunteer Thank each volunteer personally Publicly recognize volunteers, as appropriate, in a timely manner Provide a position with more authority and responsibility 28 18-Jul-18 28

Value added to encourage employer support of volunteer efforts 7/18/2018 Value added to encourage employer support of volunteer efforts Professional Development of Employee: Leadership, Project Management, Public Speaking, Communications, Team Building, & Management Skills Technical Development of Employee in training and educational forums Exposure to state-of-the-art technology Potential Impact on Industry Standards 29 18-Jul-18 29

Long Term Benefits Meeting volunteer needs creates a win–win situation 7/18/2018 Long Term Benefits Meeting volunteer needs creates a win–win situation Volunteers benefit when you understand and meet their needs The organization benefits too A more successful organization More long-term productive volunteers & more active members 30 18-Jul-18 30