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 Southeastern Michigan Section DTE Energy – Project Engineer

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

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

More Opportunities for Networking Technical/Educational Professional Social Commercial Career/Employment

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

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.

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

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

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

Professional Development Opportunities Learn, develop and practice: Leadership skills Management skills Personal communication skills Public Speaking skills Meeting/Event planning skills

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

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

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 and try new things Others appreciate my efforts

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

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

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.

Reference Resource Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them By Helen Little Panacea Press, Inc. Naperville, IL 1999