| The Benefits
of Volunteering
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”
Booker T. Washington
Prologue
I have been a volunteer for LEOS for 15 years, and it has always been
a pleasure to be involved. I am continually impressed by the selfless
and sincere dedication of the volunteers and staff, all working for
the betterment of our members.
When Milton Chang called me to graciously ask if I would be interested
in being considered for LEOS President, I didn’t have to think
about it. My enthusiasm for volunteer activities has only grown over
the years, and such a position would be a wonderful opportunity to contribute
to the entire society in another meaningful way. Frankly, I am thrilled
to have this chance to help for the next two years.
Overarching Mission
As President, I believe that I have a mission statement: To help make
LEOS valuable to its members. My President’s Columns will address
in greater detail the specific goals that will help me to achieve this
mission, such as: strategic and tactical initiatives worldwide, championing
a cause/activity, LEOS involvement in a web-based society, and representation
in governance.
Of course, I can only achieve my mission with the help of our members,
and I look forward to working with as many of you as possible. Please
feel free to contact me, and I welcome all suggestions!!
Volunteering
The topic of my first column was easy to pick, since it is the one dearest
to my heart. Many people discuss the benefits of membership (as I will),
but I wanted to begin by discussing the benefits of volunteering. My
volunteer activities have greatly enhanced my professional satisfaction.
Of course there are many altruistic reasons to volunteer, but I will
focus on the “selfish” professional benefits, many of which
apply to younger members even more than older members.
a. “If the world seems cold to you, kindle
fires to warm it.” Lucy Larcom
I think LEOS volunteers generally feel that there is a very friendly
and supportive environment that enhances their professional enjoyment
and satisfaction. We all end up developing professional friendships
that can last a lifetime, making any conference or meeting more enjoyable.
b. When you help others, those people are generally more positively
disposed to helping you in the future. LEOS volunteer activities give
you numerous ways of giving to others. Moreover, there are few methods
of marketing oneself professionally better than volunteering for LEOS.
Almost every volunteer activity is publicized with that person’s
name on it, and you instantly become associated with a high-quality
activity.
c. “A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow-men; and along
those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and
they come back to us as effects.” Herman Melville
Melville was not describing optical fiber networks, but he was describing
the concept of professional “networking.” Interacting
in a very friendly and non-confrontational atmosphere builds the number
of people who know you and, by extension, your work. We are all just
people and not machines, and we often make decisions partially based
on our personal interactions. Chances are you will be chatting in
meetings with future members of the National Academy of Engineering,
VPs of Engineering, and Engineering Deans.
d. LEOS has a wonderful partnership between staff and volunteers.
If there is some activity or change you wish to champion, all you
need to do is step forward, volunteer your time, help develop a plan,
and watch how a new initiative can be built. People are amazed that
the “baby” they started with a simple phone call or email
can benefit their technical areas (i.e., a new Topical Meeting, Journal
Special Issue), and this translates into a great “publicity”
benefit for you and your technical community.
e. Volunteering very often involves chairing meetings, organizing
activities, team building, and/or persuading people to help. This
translates into invaluable experience in the development of management
and leadership skills that will be useful throughout a person’s
career. LEOS volunteering is a relatively painless way of learning
which techniques are successful and which ones are not.
Heartfelt Appreciation
I have spent the last two years being mentored by Scott Hinton, LEOS
Past President, and I could not have asked for a better experience.
Moreover, Paul Shumate, LEOS Executive Director, has always given me
encouragement and extremely constructive suggestions.
Although I will forget many people, there are a few individuals that
I must give a heartfelt thanks, for these are the people that have critically
shaped the way I will approach being LEOS President: Rod Alferness,
Phil Anthony, Fil Bartoli, Neal Bergano, Connie Chang-Hasnain, Naomi
Chavez, Andy Chraplyvy, Jim Coleman, Gordon Day, Mike Duncan, Joe Eberly,
Gary Eden, Woody Ediger, Steve Fantone, Marty Fejer, Cindy Gady, Tom
Giallorenzi, Matt Goodman, Bernie Gollomp, Doug Hargis, Tony Heinz,
Susan Houde-Walter, Kristin Howlett, Anthony Johnson, Bob Jopson, Peter
Kaiser, Ivan Kaminow, Don Keck, Djan Khoe, Tom Koch, Peter Knight, Ed
Labuda, John Lee, T.P. Lee, Fred Leonberger, TingyE Li, Rich Linke,
Karen Liu, Linda Matarazzo, Lenore McMackin, Kristin Mirabel, Max Nikias,
Prof. Richard Osgood, Jr., Samantha Padilla, Sandy Sawchuk, Liz Rogan,
Rich Wagner, Gail Walters, Dick Williamson, and Kerry Vahala. I must
emphasize that I have probably learned even more from my loving wife
and family and my wonderful students, whose patience and advice have
been critical. (Of course, my sincerest apologies to those important
people that I forgot to mention!)
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