Do I have a volunteer? Fateful words, n'est-ce pas? Those are among the most dangerous words answered in virtually any setting. The simple raising of a hand for a question or the clearing of the throat can result in a months- or years-long commitment with no end in sight. But what of voluntarism? Have we forgotten the very nature of the beast?

Voluntary - c..1374 (implied in voluntarily), from L. voluntarius "of one's free will"

Online Dictionary of Etymology

I'm currently serving with three different committees/groups as a volunteer. I'm having three very different experiences. In one, I am perceived as an indentured servant. I signed up. And they believe they have me through the end of 2008. I made a commitment (and frankly, they're right. I'll stick it out). In another group, nothing is ever asked of me and no action is made on my part. In yet a third (Silver Spring PMI), I've been asked to shape the work that I do in this little corner of the website, and make it my own! I get to do what I want! Yeeeeeee-hawwwwww!

Which of these three currently has my imagination whirring? Which is truly energizing activity which is helping me broaden myself a little professionally? The local chapter wins, hands down. Why? They granted me latitude. Which has significantly improved my attitude about whether or not volunteering is a good idea. When Rusty Richards asked if I was game to do this, I was actually enthused. Why? Because I get to make this in my own structure and approach. I'm doing it my way.

What can we learn from this? Think about the people who are "volunteered" to our projects. Many of them come to us with a serious attitude problem. They don't want to be there, but management has thrust it upon them. We have two choices. We can treat them as our indentured servants... there to put in their time, OR we can ask them how they would like to shape the work. We can ask them how the work can work best for them. We can afford them the opportunity to approach their work in ways that make them energized and comfortable that they have some modicum of control. We should be working for a latitude attitude ---the attitude that is associated with knowing you have some leeway in how you approach what you're doing. Granted some work has to be done in particular ways at particular times, but more often than not, there are some aspects which can be left to individual discretion. The more discretion we can afford our "volunteers", the more we can hope for a positive, liberating and energizing experience for those around us.

Posted by Carl Pritchard on Tuesday, July 03, 2007

This article is copyright Pritchard Management Associates, Inc. 2007.  Members of the Silver Spring PMI Chapter are granted rights to reproduce in full for personal and professional use, but not for resale or commercial use.  All other rights reserved.