5 Tips on how to get the most from Volunteering?

I am always being asked about how I get the most from volunteering so I have complied these 5 tips. This is something that I have been wrestling with recently as I am volunteering too much and I want to get the balance better in my own life.

Firstly I find volunteering incredibly rewarding. I am driven by my passions for helping women in business, and helping women in sport. So it is an easy thing for me to dedicate a lot of time to my two Vereins.

International Women in Business Dusseldorf e.V

International Women in Business Düsseldorf is a network  for internationally-minded women from all backgrounds living in the Düsseldorf.

We create events and networking opportunities so the women in our network can find a safe space to talk about their dreams and develop their true potential

International School of Dusseldorf Sport Verein.

The ISD Sportverein e.V. offers students and local community members the chance to compete against teams within the greater Düsseldorf region in a variety of sports. I coach the U12 Rugby team and manage the Rugby Club.

Tips to get the most out of Volunteering?

Can I give you 5 tips for getting the most out of your volunteering?

1. Be passionate about the cause you are involved with

This is the most important part. It doesn’t have to be a charity or club that ticks all your passion project check boxes but it does have to come from somewhere. You need to know the reason that this is important to you.

Is it your children get better access to books so you work in the school library? Is it so no women is left vulnerable so you work in a shelter? or something else?

2. Use your strengths

You are uniquely you so no one has the same experiences or skills that you have. Share them. Use your strengths to support the wider team. You may want to look at what role you volunteer as. If you are shy but great with accounting, offer to support in this role. Coming from a position of strength is more powerful than you know!

3. Be an advocate for your Team

Know that your connections can make a difference. Invite people in, have your elevator pitch ready at the work Christmas Party. Involving new people in the team can change the world.

4. Be clear on what you want to get out of it

Don’t be shy about this. I know that I get my leadership buzz from the Rugby Role. My Connecting Strength is in full force with the iwibdus. Overtime, I have learned that I need these things in my life and I am miserable if I don’t have an outlet for them. So be clear – what do you want? It could be chairing a panel or practicing your German.

5. Ask for training

Ask and ask again. If they want you to succeed, they need you to be ready to perform.

We recently gave training to 22 women across 5 teams over three sessions:

1. Welcome to iwibdus
2. History and Future of iwibdus
3. Systems and Processes of iwibdus

We knew we needed to onboard these women asap! So make sure someone is holding your hand and taking you through the role. Then you can be clear on what you get from the role, be an advocate, be passionate and use your strengths.