Articles

The Time Is Now to Focus on Fiber
When You Buy, Keep An Eye On The Numbers...Exploring the value of the histogram
Tips for Maximizing Your Alpaca Fiber Harvest




Volunteering….What’s In It For You?
By Dianna Jordan, Alpacas of Somerset Farm

Volunteers are unpaid helpers who are without a doubt, the backbone of strong organizations, associations, and events. As a group, volunteers donate countless hours of a limited and valuable resource….time. As individuals, they share their valuable time and unique talents with others.
There are many personal reasons for volunteering. Giving back to an organization or community for the benefits received from membership. A dedication to a “cause” or “project” that is very near and dear. Perhaps it is the desire to share special skills, talents, or interests. Motivation is strong because volunteers receive personal satisfaction for the work they do……there is something in it for them.

So, what’s in it for you? Taking the approach that you are interested in growing your alpaca business, volunteering can provide you with much more than money can buy. There are increased opportunities for ranch or name recognition, continuing education, advertising/marketing, and a few extra “perks.”

Ranch or name recognition:
Ranch or name recognition is invaluable. Volunteering is a great way to get your name out to other alpaca people. Successful event coordinators recognize that acknowledging volunteers by listing their names in programs is a great way to motivate volunteer participation. If you have a few of these programs on hand, look at the pages acknowledging volunteers. This will also give you an idea of the many available volunteer opportunities.

Plain and simple, the more times people see your name or ranch name the more likely they are to remember it. Also, the more your name keeps appearing the more likely the mental association is made that you are a
serious alpaca owner and serious about this business.
Continuing education:
Volunteering offers many opportunities for continuing education. Education can take a variety of forms from the insightful information given by the fleece judge within the confines of the fleece judging room to working animal check-in and realizing what happens to the check-in flow when the paperwork is not in order.
If you are on a special committee or task force you have the opportunity to learn far more about that particular topic than those not on the committee.

Advertising/marketing:
This benefit is associated with ranch/name recognition. Your name is on the volunteer list. What a great way to expand your advertising/marketing program without any out-of-pocket cost. Also, if you filled a major role during an event, chances are there will be an opportunity when the event coordinator acknowledges specific people and your name will probably be among them.

Perks:
This benefit can come in many different forms depending on the event. Shows I have been associated with allow early check-in for volunteers. If you show your animals, you know the value of being able to check-in ahead of the crowd.

If you are one of those people who likes to be “In The Know”, volunteering for events or serving on committees provides an opportunity to receive information before everyone else does and a “behind the scenes” look.

Volunteering for events or serving on committees also gives you opportunities to network with others within the alpaca community who are interested in the same things you are.

So, maybe by this time, I have given you a different perspective on volunteering. That there can be something in it for you beyond the service you provide. However, you would love to volunteer, but……….you just don’t have time. Or, if the event is a show, you are so busy showing and you really don’t know what your schedule is going to be.

Regarding time, we all have different obligations, commitments, demands in our lives, etc. Only you know how much time you have available. Perhaps your schedule is so full that you couldn’t begin to consider volunteering for a task needing completion before an event. However, let’s say the event we are talking about is a show, and you plan on showing so you are going to be at the event. What volunteer roles are available before the classes begin, when it wouldn’t conflict with your show schedule?

Please take some time to think about how you can utilize your specific talents through volunteering. Realize the “warm fuzzy feelings” that come along with knowing you are contributing are enhanced by knowing there are some real and practical results “in it for you.”