Many of my friends and coworkers have heard me say that I learned the best project management and leadership skills from my 3 years on the leadership team at the Relay For Life of Belmont / San Carlos, two of which I chaired. But that's only a fraction of what I really learned, and the most valuable lessons came from the weekly interactions for the months spent in organizing the events.
- Do not underestimate the power of human kindness
- Grief is a powerful emotion, use it well
- No one "has" time to volunteer - those who are motivated "make" time
- When some volunteers drive you crazy, always remember why they are there and your common purpose
- The most important thing in fundraising is the "ask" - if you don't ask, you don't get
- Don't be afraid of, and be offended by, hearing a "no" - not everyone believes in the same causes you do
- Find the right people, train them, and get out of their way - if you can't trust people, they won't be inspired by your leadership
- Practice empathy - it is better than preaching it
- Be grateful - for what you have, what you are capable of doing if you try, and simply recognizing that you can make a difference
- Know when to walk away, even from something you love and are passionate about
This list is not complete, but I am fighting the urge to make this perfect (which means it may not be posted for a very long time).
Parting thought for now - be inspired by kindness, and volunteer for a cause because each one of us can make a difference. My experience with Relay inspired me to volunteer for many other causes, some of which I loved, and some - well, cutting sheetrock was just not my thing :).
