When asked to write a paragraph or two about the value of volunteering with RMFW and the VP and Treasurer positions in particular, a multitude of thoughts scampered about. To sort them out, we thought it would be interesting to see what some experts say about volunteers.
In a 2014 Psychology Today article on 5 Reasons You Should Volunteer, Dawn C. Carr MGS, Ph.D. referenced Mark Granovetter, a John’s Hopkins Sociologist, and his study on the important role of “weak ties.”
“Weak ties are those relationships that are outside of one’s close-knit social network. These relationships are important because they provide access to new information and opportunities. Volunteering in your current career industry—or an area you’d like to transition into—is an especially effective way to leverage social connections for career gain.”
Weak ties grow strong in RMFW. (The Force is strong in this one!)
For example, attending RMFW events provides an intense dose of fun, support, opportunities to learn, and (drum roll) weak ties. Volunteering leverages those connections. Plus, on top of those very tangible prospects, everyone knows how satisfying it is to help others. Kind of like a big ol’ bear hug that leaves your soul glowing.
With that in mind, we want to remind you that nominations are now open for two Executive Board positions, Vice President and Treasurer. But wait, there’s more! Besides the warm glow, there are benefits to both positions. Conference is comped, you become acquainted with lots and lots of members, help select award winners (Jasmine, Gold Nuggets, etc.), and most importantly, you help guide our exceptional organization.
Neither position is particularly time consuming.
The VP backs up the President, may run a few meetings, is involved in all operating decisions, and along with PAL and IPAL reps, coordinates the WOTY and IWOTY nomination and selection process. And gee, that includes coordinating the BookBar and Tattered Cover events. Who wants to get acquainted with our local book sellers? Go on, raise your hand.
Another fun aspect of the VP position is reading the sample chapters of all of our WOTY and IWOTY nominees, and because of that the spring months do require more hours than later in the year, but overall we estimate an average of six to eight hours a month.
Treasurer is, of course, a vital job, and requires some knowledge not every member may have, but if you’ve worked in accounting or management, understand budgeting and can read a financial statement, you’re in! RMFW’s bookkeeper handles much of the day-to-day work, and the Treasurer oversees all of our numbers, raps our knuckles once in a while, writes checks and manages expenditures, files a few reports and coordinates the year-end tax filing, and keeps the credits away from the debits. Just like the VP, Treasurer is involved in all operating decisions, and we also estimate six to eight hours per month, with a heavier workload late in the year during the budgeting process. Knowledge of QuickBooks online is a bonus but not absolutely necessary.
Volunteering on the Executive Committee is rewarding beyond what we can measure. The relationships and networking have created their own magic, giving us knowledge of the craft and industry we’d never have gained isolated in our own places.
So, we hope you’ll sit back for a moment and consider nominating yourself or a friend for VP or Treasurer. To do that, by October 25, 2016 please send nominations to all three members of the Election Committee:
Vicki Rubin, vickirubin@earthlink.net
Christine Jorgensen, ctjorgensn@comcast.net
Susan Smith, susan@mackaywood.com
Best regards,
Janet Fogg, Vice-President
Shannon Baker, Treasurer
Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers