By Jim Lombardo, CPCU, AAI, AIM, MBA, AVP of Learning & Development
According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 24.9% of the U.S. population over the age of 16 volunteered at least once in the past year. In 2011, this percentage was 26.8%, and in 2005 it was 28.8%.
I have personally experienced this with a local insurance industry group- The Utica CPCU Society. For the past few years we have had the same small group of people volunteering to be officers and to help with events and activities. We have also experienced a decrease in attendance at our regularly scheduled meetings. This is both discouraging and concerning. Will these organizations cease to exist in the near future? Will it lead to burnout of those of us who always volunteer to stop volunteering? I am not sure. But, what I am sure of is the many benefits people derive from volunteering their time-
- Volunteering helps counteract the effects of stress, anger, and anxiety.
- Volunteering combats depression.
- Volunteering makes you happy.
- Volunteering increases self-confidence.
- Volunteering provides a sense of purpose.
This lack of volunteers is happening at churches, volunteer fire departments, little league baseball, Cub Scouts, etc. These organizations offer the community so much.
Also, volunteers help the organization grow. Do you as Agency owners allow (encourage) your staff to volunteer? Do you support their activities? Do you perhaps even sponsor some of their activities?
Here at The Big I NY, we are given personal time off to volunteer. We are also big supporters of our “locals"- these sub groups around the state of independent agents who meet, volunteer, support and help grow the space of independent agencies. If you have been a part of these locals, then you know how involved they are. If you have never been a part of a local, I encourage you to seek out your local organization and JOIN!!
Contact us should you want to learn more or find out whom to contact in your area.
Maybe your agency can host a social event and invite members of the local? Perhaps your agency can invite a representative from the local to come in and speak with your staff. Maybe your agency can help coordinate a CE class for the local. What a great way to get involved.
Here are some upcoming webinars – do you have a particular topic or subject area you want to learn more about? Let us know and we will work to create such a class.
Check out the following:
Crime in the Workplace, It'll Cost You!
Adventures in Aging Understanding Social Security & Medicare
ABEN Risk Mgmt & Insurance-Why Agents Are NOT Risk Managers