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My experience of holding this role has been very rich and a huge self-reflective process and truly it has been stimulating, challenging and satisfying. I started off very reluctantly and quite unsure of what was in store for me. Slowly moving to a space of willingness and possibilities and eventually settling into a comfortable and competent space and in fact enjoying it thoroughly. It made me take a hard look at what volunteering means and its presence in our lives as a necessary process of self-growth and worth.
Looking back if I were to distil some of my core learnings in this journey, it would be accepting that I need not have answers to all the questions and its ok to ask, learn and seek help.
Identifying, acknowledging, and using my strengths explicitly in situations to become more effective in my role rather than focusing on my shortcomings.
As a leader to genuinely care for the team, communicate that and be available. To be comfortable in my own skin and not feel threatened by others competency, instead embracing it by inviting collaboration and inclusivity.
Minding the gap between intention and outcome. Bringing awareness to that space and what allows us to slip or not.
The three years have made me reflect profoundly on what volunteering means to me. With most of us leading super busy lives, the idea of volunteering, giving our time and energy to a cause without financial reward, surely seems difficult.
Volunteering reflects our values – what we care about, our vision for our community, and our sense of responsibility for the community we belong to. Volunteering also generates value for organizations, businesses, society, and for those volunteering. It is the interplay between what we value and the value that we create through our actions.
I see many benefits to volunteering:
- Connection with the community
- Sense of belonging
- Build self-esteem and confidence
- Sense of purpose and meaning in life about what one cares for
- A great way to learn new skills other than their own work, particularly for the young
The challenge of fulfilling my role as President through a pandemic came with both its share of pros and cons. Zoom online to my rescue and the many invisible hands of volunteers that reached out to power along SAATA and keep it going, running MLLs and workshops and holding space for covid victims. However, I am glad that I could pass on the baton in better times when we could meet physically and engage one on one with the members and plan for the year ahead.
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