Making A Difference Why Should I Volunteer This Year?...Page 6 ...

Myself!
I
In this issue of News & Views the topic is Volunteerism
both in and outside of our industry. I thought about having
one of my lunch interviews with someone who actively
volunteered outside the MPI realm and offered their
time to good causes. As I was mulling over who I could
talk with, it dawned on me that I was eating lunch at my
desk (again) and thought about my own volunteer time
that I find so rewarding and thought, for once, I’d turn
the questions on myself!
I moved to Chicago in 2000 indirectly from South Carolina
where I grew up. In the true spirit of Southern Hospitality,
I’ve always liked helping people, which often
means I’m volunteering for this cause or that. There are
so many good causes that need help in a multitude of
ways. One of the first organizations I learned about after
moving to Chicago was the Human Rights Campaign
(HRC). So often I felt helpless as their
primary need is monetary. As you
know, not many folks in our industry
can become rich from doing our job.
I decided, then, that since I couldn’t
actually ‘give’ money I could help in
making money and I volunteered my
skills as an event planner. For the
next seven years I produced the
HRC-Chicago gala dinner and while
I may not have been able to donate
the cash, I played a big part in the
financial success of the dinners.
By Christopher
Grace, CMP
URISA
“Unless there is blood and a crash cart involved, it’s going
to be OK that your coffee break is a little late.” Time
and crisis management go hand in hand with both professions
and I think comparing “emergencies” in both
fields has helped me keep a healthy perspective on the
urgency of situations.
I have felt rewarded in both careers as in both I find myself
able to help people in need. Granted the situations
and locations are different, but in the end, people have
been helped. I always encourage others to donate their
skills to help worthy causes. What we do may not be on
the forefront of a charity’s list of needs, but show them
how to save money on a contract and they’ll be your
friend for life! Go volunteer, make a difference and you’ll
be rewarded by making a difference.
This past March I began working for
the Urban & Regional Information
Systems Association (URISA). I don’t
think I’ve ever been busier in my professional
life even when being a part of
planning 12,000 attendee conferences
during my time with American Academy
of Pediatrics. As I look back over
the positions and events I’ve worked
with, it’s been quite an experience with
many lessons learned. People may not
know that I changed careers 12 years
ago as I used to be an ER nurse. It was
a big change, but I’ve been amazed at
the skills I was able to take from one
career to the next. My joking motto is
12 news & views | september-october 2008 www.mpicac.org