Don’t Overlook Volunteering as a Networking Opportunity

It's extraordinary how much help people, communities and countries need. Many people who are succeeding at business are in a perfect position to help in some meaningful way. If you choose to help, you're likely to find that you are receiving as well as giving assistance.

I'm not talking about receiving psychic value, not that there's anything wrong with that. I mean tangible career-building opportunities.

At a local level, there are inevitably people who have devoted themselves to creating a charitable cause in either social services or the arts. In my experience, it's not unusual that their passion for the cause exceeds their business acumen to achieve and sustain success. That may give you the opportunity to contribute the skills that the social entrepreneur lacks. The basic functional aspects of business such as operations, accounting, marketing or PR are often not where they should be in these organizations. If you are willing to commit a percentage of your time to the charity, you will be able to apply your skills to a new set of business challenges and spur real improvement in the effectiveness of the charity.

Besides the functional opportunities, there may be helpful networking opportunities. The ability to meet community influencers or major benefactors may be easier to achieve in the 501(c) environment than in your actual business.

A third element of opportunity may emerge from the diversity of people involved in a charitable cause. Most of the people you're likely to meet on the job are — surprise! — business people. But depending on the charitable environment you may gain access to and experience with whole new sectors of your community.

Very fortunately for me, I have experienced all of the above benefits over my years of involvement with Our Kids, Inc. of Miami-Dade & Monroe Counties. Our Kids is the lead agency for child welfare and related services in the two counties. Over the last 10 years it's hard to think of a challenge we have not confronted in seeking to provide effective foster care and other services to thousands of children in need.

Another approach is to pursue your own charitable passion and see where it leads, utilizing your existing business skills and learning new ones. This has been our family's experience in advocating for improved prevention and treatment of concussions in youth athletes.

A third approach is to work within your business to generate community service activity. At Royal Caribbean, our GIVE (as in Get Involved Volunteer Everywhere) Days have becomes a pillar of our corporate culture and have enabled our employees to transform schools, neighborhoods and beaches over the years. This effort may enable you to work with colleagues you may not otherwise have had the chance to do, in a very positive context.

As with many subjects, the possibilities are primarily limited by one's imagination and the ability to think and act beyond the constraints of the daily fray.

See what you can do for others and don't be surprised if you are one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Related Topics:

• Why the Tone at the Top Can Make or Break a Corporate Partnership
• Find a Place Where You Can Commit
• How to Motivate Your Team to Want to Work for You