How to lead volunteer projects to extraordinary success

I have posted the case study from Project SPUD, to help people successfully lead and manage volunteer projects.

The key learning is that as the leader of a volunteer project, you have no organizational culture to build on. You must create the foundation and structure before you can execute your project. This requires more up-front thought and work from the project leader in order to receive the payoff of a well-managed project later on.

You always get more from Volunteer work than you give

Last night I helped to man a table at our local High School to advise seniors on career choices. Our Rotary club hosted the event. It was a total blast. I chatted with colleagues from my town who manned the table with me, and we positively impacted the lives of students who stopped by the table.

During a quiet time I wondered over to the table manned by our Police Department. We bonded as fellow volunteers and then got talking about one of my favorite topics - guns. Handguns, rifles and ammunition. I learned where our town's Police Officers train and was glad to hear that our officers are equipped with the best firearms available. We spent a half-hour or so swapping gun stories and current trends in the firearms industry. We shared our views on Glocks, Colt, Sig Sauer and Hydra-Shok bullets. Pure heaven for a gun-enthusiast.

I got more from this volunteer event than I gave. I find that you always get more from volunteer work than you give.

When you get an opportunity to volunteer in your community, go for it. Think about it - where can you help? Visit your Rotary club and make it known that you will speak or present on your area of expertise.