September is traditionally the kickoff of our 'season' here in the Desert. If this year holds up to last, immediately following the Labor Day weekend there will be an influx of out of state license plates indicating our snow birds have come home to roost.

Along with season comes a constant procession of social events, particularly charitable events.  Executive Errands is heavily involved with three non-profit groups. We participate in charitable activities because we believe it is important for local companies like ourselves to give back to the communities who utilize our services.

We're only involved with three, but that doesn't mean we are exempt from all the other charitable organizations.  In fact, it becomes even more important to attend and support as many events as possible because you want those organizations to attend and support the ones you're doing (quid pro quo).

That means our dance card (schedule) is already heavily booked between now and the end of this year.  There are fashion shows and parades, luncheons and dinners and roundups.  There are expos and award dinners and anniversary parties and mixers.  There are breakfasts and networking events and spa days and meetups.

There will be hats and red fashion and silent auctions and a plethora of heartbreaking yet inspirational pleas for donations, contributions and all kinds of assistance, both monetary and labor-related.

The key to working with non-profit organizations, particularly those that raise funding for local charities is to strike a balance between volunteering and zeal.

What I mean by that is this: Your enthusiasm and belief in the cause coupled with a Type A personality can result in fatigue, over commitment, alienation of friends, and a loss of joy for the cause you so fervently want to support.

A volunteer, by definition, is "one who renders a service while having no legal concern or interest".  That means volunteers neither receive nor expect any sort of compensation other than the satisfaction they receive by the difference they make in the lives of others. 

And generally they want to satisfy their commitments in their own time and in their own way because it is a voluntary effort.  They certainly do not want it to feel like another job or some sort of obligation. They want it to be fun.

Why do people join non-profit fund raising organizations?  Sometimes people join because they want to give back.  Sometimes it's because their life has been touched in some way by the organization. Sometimes it's purely for networking and relationship building.  No matter the reason, anyone who stays in a non-profit for any length of time is sure to be touched deeply by the causes they support, especially when the impact of the organization is felt locally.

One of our non-profits, Soroptimist, does just that.  Even though it is an international organization (www.soroptimist.org), we primarily support local programs. We get to write the donation checks directly to these local agencies and, if we want, we can get to know them, learn more about how they operate, meet the women who benefit from their programs - it's an amazing, emotional, and deeply moving experience.

This year I am President of our Soroptimist club and I hope to leave my mark on this wonderful organization by inspiring our members to even greater heights so we can have an even greater impact on the programs we support.

I worry though, that my enthusiasm coupled with a sometimes too strong personality will discourage rather than encourage and so I am consciously trying to rein it in.  It isn't easy.  The passion for the women we help and their programs is so overwhelming at times that I can feel myself becoming obsessive about tasks and agendas and opportunities for improvement.

The year runs July through June so we have a long way yet to go.  I admire and deeply respect all the members of our club so it is doubly important that somehow I find a balance between the passion I feel for the programs and keeping it fun for the members (and for me).

I'm not sure yet how this is all going to work, but I do know this - two of the best things about a full dance card are the people you'll meet and the new dances you'll learn.  I'm excited for the coming year and the social aspect of our charitable activities.  Keep your fingers crossed that I am able to find the balance necessary to both do a good job and enjoy the dance.

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