In my area of northern Wisconsin, snowmobiling is part of the culture. So much in fact, that an area of my high school parking lot was dedicated to student snowmobile parking. 

Trail systems are managed and maintained by local community clubs that are made up of volunteers. I serve as the vice president of our small town club, and my older brother is the president. Of the many things we are responsible for and manage, the most difficult task is finding consistent volunteers. We have worked hard to increase attendance at our monthly meetings and have been successful. But what good is a room full of people who won’t raise their hands when we ask for help? 

To make matters more frustrating, so often when they do raise their hands, it’s to comment on a noticed shortcoming of the club or to suggest an idea that would involve substantial added work, without offering to assist. 

Participation in this way, or lack thereof, seems all too common in many associations and businesses as well.

Be a Gene

I always like reading the Snapshot columns that appear in each issue, and this month’s feature I found especially enjoyable. The interviewee, Gene Bassett, has spent over four decades of his life in the onsite industry and not just as another face in a full meeting, but as someone willing to put their hand up. A trait I really respect.

I won’t spoil the article, but Bassett talks about his involvement in New Mexico’s wastewater association. He and some others wanted to see some changes in local regulations, and instead of complaining about them and doing nothing, they approached the state, petitioned the regulatory board and spent two years working on the change they wanted to see. 

Without people like Bassett stepping up to take on extra work, it’s easy for clubs, associations and businesses to fall into a downward spiral. When the same people are taking on all the responsibility, they burn out faster and no longer enjoy participating at all. 

When the majority of the work falls onto the same handful of people who only have so much time to give, they reach their max and new ideas or certain certain tasks fall to the backburner. Low participation is bad for everyone. 

A Little Goes a Long Way

I understand you only have so much time in the day. The best and hardest workers are so often putting everything they have into their business, it’s almost impossible to make time to take on added responsibilities. That’s where the saying “many hands make light work” shines. 

The more people that step up to take on tasks, no matter how small they may be, the easier it becomes for everyone involved, and the better things will be. So if there are things you don’t like or you feel are inhibiting your career and the industry, volunteer in your association.

Or if you’re an employee and see things that could be better about the company you work for, don’t just voice a complaint, but rather bring your concerns forward with a plan of action and volunteer yourself for the solution. Your employer will appreciate it and it will benefit your career.