How often have you been asked to join a community service group? Perhaps you already belong to one or more and are not sure exactly why.
There can be any number of reasons business people join community service groups:
- You could be looking for a social outlet
- You could be looking for the opportunity to build your business network
- You could be personally committed to the programs of a particular group
However, one of the benefits you obtain from membership in a community group is often overlooked.
Let’s consider you are already involved in one or more organizations here in Brampton. No doubt, at some point you have been approached at some point to serve on a project committee or even as a member of the executive of the group. Did you decide to say YES to this opportunity? Or, perhaps you decided to say NO, because it would take too much time away from your business.
Now, think about the three key reasons people get involved in such activities. In both situations, service as a committee member or as an executive, will provide you with:
- An opportunity to meet other people in a social environment
- An opportunity to meet people in other or similar businesses, get to know them and more importantly have them get to know you
- An opportunity to do something for a cause you truly believe in
Let’s get back to the benefit you may have overlooked, the opportunity to learn and grow both personally and professionally. Perhaps you have never been good at record keeping but by serving as a project secretary or treasurer you learn how to maintain good records. Perhaps you have always had a fear of public speaking. However, as chair of a project or a member of the executive you are required to put your fears behind you and promote your cause.
The message here is that you have the opportunity by getting involved in community service to learn real life practical skills. These are skills that are readily transferable to your business life. True you may not do the task as well as you wished at the beginning. However, with continued practice you do improve. Additionally, in most cases you are able to practice in an environment where a miscue will not cost you your job or your business.
Remember as you live you learn and as your learn you live better.
