Building Relationships Through Volunteering
“Business does not thrive without relationships”, Todd Mawyer, President of TK Promotions
In early and snowy January, I was fortunate to assist with our board retreat. While the board did important work on strategy which was inspiring, I was also excited to see board members connect with one another. Many had not met each other before, but after spending time working and eating together, they each left the snowy retreat with a new relationship or two.
At VACEOs, our Roundtable and Forum groups offer some of the most valuable opportunities for CEOs to connect and collaborate. Sharing experiences with fellow CEOs isn’t just insightful, it can spark lifelong relationships that help both personally and professionally. The opportunities for connection don’t stop there. Larger events like the Quarterly Luncheons, Spring Retreat, and even informal gatherings provide powerful networking opportunities.
However, there’s another, often overlooked, way to connect and deepen relationships within the VACEOs community: volunteer opportunities. As a member-led organization, VACEOs relies on active involvement from members to help guide the organization forward. Volunteering not only helps shape the future of VACEOs, but it also connects members and sponsors in meaningful ways.
What makes these volunteer opportunities truly valuable are the connections that happen when members work together on common goals. Committees bring together members from different Roundtables and Forums, creating an environment where each can connect with fellow CEOs beyond their regular group.
This collaborative setting fosters a unique bond between members who share a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of leading a business. The result is not only more productive interactions, but also an expanded network that can offer new insights and opportunities for their business
K.Alferio, President of The Cultural Arts Center sums it up perfectly, “I am not an extroverted networker in new situations, so it can be hard for me to get maximum benefits from organizations. I am perfectly comfortable addressing hundreds of people from a stage…but getting involved on a face-to-face level can be difficult. This is where volunteering comes into play. Working on committees, volunteering to help at events, etc. gives me the chance to meet a few people at a time and become more attuned to the group. Roundtables are a great way to become involved in a small setting, but if you are looking for ways to glean real benefit from VACEOs…or any group…consider volunteering and becoming an active part of the member community. It makes a big difference for me.“
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