The Value of Volunteering Women’s Foodservice Forum

"Volunteer not only so you can build your resume, but also build yourself." WFF Volunteer Mission Statement: To attract, recruit & retain volunteers through individual development and involvement which garners professional and personal growth, while becoming a stakeholder in the future of the WFF and all its principles. The Value of Volunteering... It's like a “Backstage Pass” to the WFF Working on a committee gives you opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders, experts, and peers in a “behind the scene” climate WFF Programming is influenced by its volunteer members. Help to determine future programming and become a leader at WFF events Informal mentoring opportunities in an external environment Platform to achieve personal and professional goals and outcomes Development and practice of the WFF 11 core competencies Ability to execute and measure results of committee work articulated in the Committee Charter The WFF leadership team relies on committed volunteers to give their time and talent in support of achieving the goals and strategies outlined in the Committee Charters. Participation with the organization as a volunteer is a great way to get involved and maximize your membership -- members have input and influence on organizing and implementing WFF events and programs.

Leverage The Opportunity… Create your Volunteer Development Plan Volunteer Development Plan Leadership Competency Assessment Volunteer Committee Overview Utilize the WFF Leadership Competency Assessment (LCA) tool to determine which of the 11 Core Competencies you should focus on most during the coming year. Access the LCA at Develop your plan to assist in working on skills identified in the LCA and those of most interest, while contributing to the on- going success of the WFF. Review and choose a volunteer committee which interest you most and whose goals will allow you the opportunity for personal and professional skill development.

WFF Core Leadership Competencies Business and Financial Acumen – An organization’s bottom line is only as solid as the financial acumen of its leaders. To build the business, it’s essential to understand the numbers and ask the right questions. Visioning/Setting Direction – Visioning goes far beyond seeing what's ahead. It’s about being able to clearly share with and energize others with what cannot easily be seen. Building Networks – It’s more than connections. It’s about identifying and nurturing those strategic relationships –- both internal and external –- to achieve your goals. Driving for Results – Challenge convention and encourage yourself and others to overcome barriers in order to achieve new levels of success. Building High-Performing Teams – Simply put, organizational success is predicated on the teams within. Gather and galvanize groups, driving their engagement and challenge them to higher performance Risk Taking – It’s not scary; it’s strategic. Finding a better way often means challenging the traditional and heading down the road less traveled. Initiative – Taking initiative is a far more dynamic endeavor than simply taking charge. It’s about inspiring change, championing innovation and tackling challenges to promote personal growth. Developing Others – Strong leaders achieve results by unlocking new potential within their team. Motivate others to grow exponentially through challenging assignments, strong delegation and effective coaching. Tough-Minded – Be decisive and direct. Foster an environment that empowers courage of convictions and addresses tough issues head-on. Communicating and Listening– The best communicators listen first, so that when their perspective is shared, it’s informed, clear and powerful. Strategic Thinking – Observing, discussing and broad questioning provide a panoramic perspective that sharpen the focus required for effective decision- making.

Volunteer Development Plan Set Your Goals – Determine what you want to achieve during your year as a volunteer. Refer to the results of your Leadership Competency Assessment (LCA) and select the skill(s) you want to work on developing as a committee member/leader. Develop Your Plan – Establish the strategies/tactics you will pursue to support the development of new skills. Execute - Put your plan into action. Measure Results – Quantify and document your personal achievements during the volunteer year Share Your Success - Celebrate and share your success with peers, committee leadership and your manager to reinforce the value of volunteering as it relates to your development!

Volunteer Development Plan EXAMPLE

Volunteer Development Plan (Sample Format) Name Committee Date Personal Development Opportunities Goal of Volunteer Committee Role Within CommitteeDevelopmental Action PlanTimelineResults Comments and Observations: