What my Volunteer ‘Job’ has Taught me That I Now Use on my Actual ‘Job’
Recently I’ve been volunteering for a project in the town where I live. It’s a small project that does not take a lot but can sometimes be demanding and, it has taught me quite a lot.
Since May 2018 I’ve been volunteering at Northampton Soup. A small community crowdfunding project in Northampton.
It’s a fairly simple set up: We organise an event, groups or individuals, with a project or an idea that benefits Northampton, come to pitch and everyone attending is asked for a suggested £5 donation. The donation entitles all attendees to a voting slip, as well as soup and bread. Each group will pitch for their chance of winning the ‘Soup Pot’. Votes get adjudicated, which is to say someone goes to another room and counts them, and a winner is chosen. And here, the winner does take it all! All of the donations gathered that day constitute the ‘Soup Pot’ and the pitch with more votes takes the money.
Although it’s simple it takes some effort. Volunteers do everything! Organise the event, promote it, set it up and clean up after. We also chase up groups to pitch; people to volunteer and manage donations. And may I say this is done with a very small group of volunteers?
As challenging as this may seem, it is also rewarding and has taught me a lot. I’m managing a lot of the events and although there is a small team of volunteers eager to help, I’ve taken the bulk of it. From admin to promotions, to logistics and sponsorships. I’ve done it all, I just haven’t cooked yet, but it might just happen.
Of all the things I’ve learned time management has been the key one! I’ve learned to use my time more effectively and that has been great in my work life too. I’ve reduced the number of emails I send, shortened them (as much as I can, I was never the one to summarise) and become extremely methodical with all my ‘to do’ lists.
I’ve also become extremely resourceful. Running things with very little resources will teach you to be cleaver with what you do: No website, that’s OK, do a blog or use social media, no money for advertising, that’s fine, find some partners, not enough budget for ingredients, change the recipe. There is always a way!
And because there is always a way, I’ve also learned how to be more creative. I’ve always had a thing for design and creativity and with this, I’ve been given the platform to explore it in tones of yellow and black (Northampton Soup’s branding). I’ve done graphic design, print posters or flyers, small videos, you name it, I’ve done it all. It has been hectic but it has been so gratifying to see people’s reactions.
And most of all, I’ve learned to be, as the groups that come to pitch: Driven! To see someone else’s enthusiasm with something they love is uplifting. To be able to share it is inspiring. I can only thank the groups that have pitched for teaching me that.
So, if you haven’t volunteered yet all, I can say is: Go for it! Trust me, it will be worth it.