New Focus for SherriLynn: Helping Community Volunteers Be More Effective

In my first blog entry, I admitted that I started this blog without a defined focus.  I'll start blogging, I said, and we'll see where it goes.  The posts have been all over the map.  "Totally random," said a good friend with no qualms about speaking the truth.

Over the same period of time I've been blogging, I've been exploring career ideas.  I'm not ready to go back to the private practice of law and, with firms laying off lawyers by the hundreds, this wouldn't be the right time to that anyway.  

When people ask me what I'm up to these days, I often respond "making up for the bad things I did as a lawyer."  Truthfully, the work I did as a lawyer wasn't that bad.  But, the joke highlights my desire to help those who need it most, not those who are most able to pay.

Which led me to the question, how does one mom with a little bit of time, a passion for social change and desire to be constantly learning, leverage her skills to most effectively help others?

The model is right before me.  One of my favorite Seattle organizations, Social Venture Partners (SVP), helps nonprofits strengthen organizational capacity.  A stronger organization can more effectively and efficiently carry out its mission, SVP thinking goes.  

The same should be true with community volunteers.  Nearly every parent I know is involved in some volunteer activity: planning a school auction, serving on a nonprofit board or committee, or collecting donations for those in need.  Some received fantastic training for these volunteer positions.  Other don't.  What if each of these volunteers was a little bit more effective?  How much could more knowledgeable volunteers boost the ability of organizations to better serve their mission?

I plan to focus this blog on providing ideas, resources and inspiration to community volunteers.  There are lots of great resources out there.  So, I plan on pointing volunteers in the right direction and sharing my personal experience, not necessarily reinventing the wheel.  I'm also hoping some friends will provide some guest post to share their ideas and experiences.

And, for those who love the random posts, don't worry.  I'll be sure to toss in an occasional Barefoot Contessa recipe, kindie rock or Recess Monkey review, and story about Little S.

SherriLynn, Community Volunteer.

When we moved back to Seattle, I joined the board of Passages Northwest, an organization that helps girls build confidence through outdoor adventures and the arts.  One day the Executive Director said to me, "We're updating the letterhead to list board members and their job titles.  We're going to list you as a 'community volunteer.'  Okay?"

This very innocent question set off an internal crisis.  My inner dialog went something like this: Community volunteer?!   Anyone can be a community volunteer.  I'm an attorney!  I was on Law Review!  I have national security clearance!  The title, community volunteer, minimizes my experience and contribution to the organization.

Looking back, it's easy to see that this thought process had very little to do with the letterhead of a small nonprofit.  Instead, it was a reflection of my struggle transitioning from D.C. lawyer to Seattle mom.  

In the years since that conversation, I've noticed that "community volunteer" is a common description for board members that are not currently employed.  I've also realized (but really known all along) that the contribution of nonprofit volunteers is measured in terms of impact, not in terms of title.  

Community volunteers provide valuable assistance to many nonprofits.  I'm proud to be one of them.