1. 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

2. 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
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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
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4. More Opportunities for Networking
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More Opportunities for Networking
Technical/Educational
Professional
Social
Commercial
Career/Employment 4
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5. More Opportunities for Technical/Educational Networking
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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
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6. More Opportunities for Professional Networking
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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
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7. More Opportunities for Social Networking
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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
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8. More Opportunities for Commercial Networking
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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
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9. More Opportunities for Career/Employment Networking
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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
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10. Professional Development Opportunities
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Professional Development Opportunities
Learn, develop and practice:
Leadership skills
Management skills
Personal communication skills
Public Speaking skills
Meeting/Event planning skills 10
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11. Leadership Skills Growth
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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
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12. Management Skills Growth
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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
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13. Sense of Accomplishment
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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
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14. 7/18/2018
Reference Resource
“Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them” By Helen Little Panacea Press, Inc. Naperville, IL 1999 14
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15. 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
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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
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17. My needs as a Volunteer Follow-up to see that the task is completed
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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
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18. A task that matches interests and reasons for volunteering
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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
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19. A good reason for doing the task
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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
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20. Written Instructions Job Description Work Directions
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Written Instructions
Job Description
Work Directions
Detailed Instructions
Letters of appreciation and thanks 20
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21. A reasonable deadline for doing the task
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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
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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
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23. Needs everything necessary to complete the task without interruption
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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
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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
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25. A safe, comfortable and friendly working environment
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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
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26. Follow-up to see that the task is completed
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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
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27. Opportunity to provide feedback when the task is completed
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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
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28. 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
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29. Value added to encourage employer support of volunteer efforts
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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
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30. Long Term Benefits Meeting volunteer needs creates a win–win situation
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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
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