This past week I was honored to meet individuals from all over the world during the 86th Annual Toastmasters International Convention in my home city of Vancouver. Not only that, I was the volunteer coordinator chair and was responsible for 246 volunteers. I am not stating this for accolades nor praise, but rather to give back to an organization that has not only helped me in that I do have clients that are Toastmasters but also have sharpened my presentation skills. How are you giving back to those that have helped you? Why should you give back?
We are in a profession where visibility is one of the most important things that we need to accomplish and yet we can’t figure out how to get that much needed visibility. By giving back you are broadcasting yourself to not only your current clients but also to those that do not know of you, yet! See the comment above about how I have clients that are Toastmasters.
Another reason is it shows that you do care about either an organization or association by giving your valuable time back to them. This goes a long way to increasing your dedication to that particular group or association. With that dedication, you will be seen in a completely different light and one that genially cares not only on that association but also for the community as a whole. This would lead to instant credibility as well, again, recognition. I can not tell you the number of times I meet prospects and they say: “Hey, I saw you at…” The benefit, it is no longer a ‘cold call.’
Dr. Wayne Dyer said: “The more you give away, the more you get back.” This is very evident as the gratitude you receive not only from the organizers, but the thanks and gratitude you get from the attendees can not be measured on any scale.
Here is a perfect example of what happened to me during the aforementioned convention. I had a young lady come to me in a panic asking if someone by chance had handed in her small white purse. She was from Washington, DC and this purse contained ALL her money and ALL her credit cards as well as her identification. You can imagine the panic. I calmed her down and then started the search. After going to Lost and Found I asked her to retrace her steps and she stated that the only other place that it could have been left was on Skytrain. I took her down to the platform and explained what happened to one of the security personnel. He sent out an APB immediately and someone came back that it had been turned in a couple of station down the line and that he would catch the next train to return her property. A few minutes later the purse was returned with ALL her cash, identification and credit cards. The tears became floods and the hug took my breath away. She was sobbing how much she loved the people of Vancouver. Way to be classy Vancouver!
You see, when you give back it is truly returned in abundance.