Every month we send out a call for volunteers to help with various projects and events, and people sometimes answer, sometimes not. In November I attended the Iowa Nonprofit Summit to gain some insight into different aspects of nonprofit organizations, and I did. According to Volunteering America, between of 2008 and 2010 Iowa has averaged 886,900 volunteers. That means that 37.9% of residents of the state are volunteering! That ranks us second among the 50 states and Washington, DC for volunteerism. For all of you who have answered the call - THANK YOU! K9COLA is an all-volunteer nonprofit, and without you we wouldn't exist.

But I want to let people in on a little secret: volunteering can benefit you as well. (According to the Mayo Clinic, older people who volunteer have lower rates of heart disease and live longer than peers who don't volunteer. All it takes to achieve health benefits is volunteering at least 40 hours a year, the researchers said.)

So the answer to the question posed in the title of this article is, a lot! Volunteering for an organization can offer the opportunity to build on skills learned in a classroom or to develop skills that help with career advancement. Leadership is a very sought after skill, and chairing an organization or a committee provides volunteers with a chance to build and showcase this skill. Fundraising is a great chance to build "sales" skills. Public Education allows people to build their communication skills. Working with the volunteer coordinator can help with people management and communication.

The next time we put a call out for volunteers, don't think of it merely as time you have to take out of your day to help someone else; think of it also as an opportunity to strengthen yourself as a person. I know that personally it has helped me. I completed a Master of Business Administration, but my job hasn't provided many opportunities to use that knowledge. K9COLA has allowed me to put things I learned into practice and has challenged me to become a better person.  

One of K9COLA's goals for 2012 is to build its volunteer base, and we would like your help. If you have volunteered with us in the past, feel free to send your feedback to me. If you'd like to volunteer, but aren't sure how, let me know:  marie@k9cola.org. We have some new ideas that we think might help, but listening to our volunteers is the best way to learn what works and what doesn't.  

Thanks again for your support!

Marie Appel

K9COLA Chairperson

Site Committee 

> Hold three recall test sessions.

> Identify the needs of each park and present to board.

> Hold two clean up days at Cheyenne and one at the new park.

Fundraising Committee 

> Raise at least $15,663.11 in funds.

> Hold K9COLA's 4th Annual Wine for Good Cause, with these objectives: (1) Increase revenue to at least $2,110.18(2)Increase attendance by 25% over 2011.

> Complete two grant applications.

Volunteer Committee 

> Accurately track volunteer hours (including K9Splash!).

> Report volunteer hours to the City quarterly.
> Rebuild our group of core volunteers (20 people active).

Public Education/Social Media Committee

> Participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

> Host 15 information tables, including eight farmers markets and one at K9splash!; other locations could include the parks or local stores.

> Work with organizations to complete projects for park and to gain volunteers.

> Maintain K9COLA's social media presence and explore new venues.

> Host Grand Opening for new off-leash area.

> Grow Facebook likes by 25% or 88 people.

> Increase number of people using Facebook Insights.

> Increase number of status updates, events, and photos posted to Facebook.

> Hold contests at Facebook page .

K9Splash! Committee

> Host K9Splash! 2012.

> Increase revenue from entry fees, sponsorships, and K9Splash! table by 10%.

> Increase attendance by 10%.

Officers

> Create a budget for 2013.

> Complete 2013 goals by December board meeting.

> Provide support to committee chairs as required.

At-large directors should assist committees and officers as needs require.