Why do you do all that?

Once someone gets to know me, and the many activities I do very well at getting myself in to, this question is always next:  Why do you do all that? I’m often asked in a not so polite way, like the choice I’ve made for myself to give back and get involved (albeit sometimes too much involved) are simply idiotic. I kindly smile and say, well, it’s just what I do. But, not anymore. I’m going to tell you why I do all that today.

You get out of life what you put in. Many people will not challenge this statement for a project, a job or an association that they join, but for some reason many people don’t look at it as a blanket statement for a way of life. I do. The experiences I’ve had, the people I’ve met, the learning about my community and the social challenges within, and the personal and professional development I’ve gained, out weigh any other experience I’ve gotten myself in to in life. I’ll share a few examples…

The Junior League of Indianapolis is an organization I’ve been proud to be a part of for 12 years. These years have been as a member, as a board member and as a committee leader. I’ve managed more than 400+ women’s community involvement in one of my roles and helped them all, yes, all 400+ of them, find their next year’s committee. I did this through managing a committee of 20ish mentors who each managed a group of 20ish members. This was a huge learning experience both in time and people management. I’ve also manged almost 200 women in specific community-realted hands-on projects and helped release over $150,000 in to our Indianapolis community. That’s just cool!

Right now I’m involved with Shanna’s Story, a team of us working to raise money for the Man and Woman of the Year competition for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This group of dynamic people are all new people to me! I went to our kick-off event and knew threee people out of about 75. I always find it an energizing experience to meet new people, hear their story and make connections.

In terms of business, over the years of Silver Square’s history, we have had a dozen clients come to us due to volunteer connections. People I have met through volunteer have experienced our brand and decided we were the kind of people that would be a fit for working together in business too.

So that’s why I get myself involved in many, many things. I really have been given back what I have put in, and life is better because of those experiences. I challenge you to get involved in a cause, mission or organization that you believe in and see how it will add to your life – because it will.