Be Bold. Get Inspired. Take Action.
Build your skills, network, and resume through volunteerism
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"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth." -Muhammad Ali
I was recently reintroduced to the line above, first quoted in the February 27, 1978 issue of Time Magazine. It likely resonates more loudly with me right now as IIBA opens its annual Volunteer of Year nomination period. From June 1st through August 31st, you can nominate IIBA members who have given back to their Chapters, to their professions, and even to you individually. Finalists will be announced in October, with winners revealed in IIBA’s annual Global BA Day celebration on November 1st.
As I reflect on the quote, I find myself wondering about my own volunteer activities and asking myself – Why do I volunteer? This could not be limited to my own internal processing though. I needed to get insights from our most recent Volunteers of the Year (VOY) as well.
As our requisite instructor, Georges Bryson broke down his rationale for volunteering into an easy lesson: “The 5 Ps.”
- Pride – in bringing people, technologies and processes together to provide accelerated value
- Passion – being committed and engaged and one will discover these traits are infectious
- Profession – recognizing that we are true professionals
- Purpose – making a difference
- People – IIBA® is all about People
Yasser Talat continues with “it really gives a great pleasure and satisfaction when you see that you are having an effect on the Business Analysis community either by, for example, directly serving the community with sharing knowledge and experience, coaching, mentoring, etc. or even by just helping with arranging and organizing events and activities that help engage the community.”
Yasser Talat continues with “it really gives a great pleasure and satisfaction when you see that you are having an effect on the Business Analysis community either by, for example, directly serving the community with sharing knowledge and experience, coaching, mentoring, etc. or even by just helping with arranging and organizing events and activities that help engage the community.”
Our VOYs were not completely altruistic in their rationale for volunteering. They also acknowledge the personal benefits gained through their own investments in volunteering. Debbi Levin very appropriately and succinctly shared: “(IIBA is a) social outlet and I like learning new things.”
Like Debbi, both Georges and Yasser reflect on the direct impact on their own professional skills and networks. Georges enjoys, “staying current with the latest trends, technologies, techniques and approaches.” He also admits that through volunteering he is “recognized as a contributor, catalyst and ambassador to help grow and promote our profession globally.” Yasser echoes the impact: “(Volunteering) actually opens the world for exposure, networking, recognition and business and/or job opportunities not only within the region one is volunteering in through IIBA chapters, but it also opens the same opportunities all over the world.”
When we look at the VOY responses, we see a progression, or even perhaps a dichotomy, in intentional and unintentional benefits when volunteering. Sometimes the rationale for our volunteering is directly related to Georges’s 5 Ps. We are enthusiastic about our craft; we believe in our practice; we want to give back to our community; and we want to socialize with those that understand us. Then, as our involvement grows, the benefits we actualize extend beyond our original intent. Through volunteering, we build our skills – both practical BA skills as well as leadership skills; we, therefore, become leaders in our community; we are recognized for our strengths; and we are sought for influence beyond that of our local community.
Volunteering serves everyone, including yourself. In what (big or small) ways could you be serving your local BA community and IIBA Chapter more? What could you offer them? And what might you gain in return? Please consider your own volunteerism as you nominate someone who has helped you over the last year!
Reminder: 2021 Volunteers of the Year:
- Eastern Region: Georges Bryson - Montreal
- West/Central Region: Debbi Levin - Phoenix
- Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and India: Yasser Talat - Egypt
- Europe Region: Claude Duc - Geneva
Be Bold features members, volunteers, and Chapters who are taking bold action. If you have a story to tell or a recommendation for future inclusion, please feel free to reach out to communications.director@gcc.iiba.org.
Did you know IIBA Membership includes access to every IIBA Chapter? Unlock your business analysis potential and grow your career with IIBA Membership. Network with your local community, attend complimentary events around the world, use tools like the Career Action Guide, and more.
About the Author:
Koryn Anderson enjoyed a couple of careers before finding her ultimate one. She has been a business analyst for more than 10 years and is currently a Lead Business Analyst at Baird. She is passionate about the BA discipline, has her CBAP® certification, is Past President of the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter, and is the current Communications Director for the Global Chapter Council.
