Volunteering with IABC: You may get hooked
In mid-2001, when Eric Bergman's three-year volunteer commitment as global coordinator of examinations with IABC’s International Accreditation Council was coming to an end, he reacted in a way that many people may find surprising.
"You'd think I'd be happy to have some extra time on my hands after being involved as an active IABC volunteer for more than 12 years, but I was disappointed," he says. "This would have been the first time in a long time that I wasnšt committed in any way as an IABC volunteer."
Eric moved to Toronto from Edmonton in early 1987, and started volunteering with IABC/Toronto soon after arriving. He wrote articles for Communicator for a few years and joined the Toronto Chapter board in 1991, serving in the Finance and Membership portfolios, and later as Chapter President in 1994-95.
When his Toronto Chapter commitment ended, he was asked to join the International Accreditation Board as an exam grader. "Grading other people's exams was a intriguing process," he says. "It is extremely interesting to see the ways in which communicators from around the world approach and solve the problems posed by the written exam."
After marking accreditation exams for three years, he was asked to join the International Accreditation Council (the "executive committee" of the International Accreditation Board) as global coordinator of examinations in early 1998. This three-year term ended in 2001 and, under IABC's constitution, council members are required to take one-year off from the council when their term ends. His holiday will soon be over, however, as he was recently asked to rejoin the council in June 2002, as coordinator of portfolio evaluators.
How does an independent practitioner, who runs his own thriving communication training business, find time to volunteer?
"I really see volunteering as an investment not an expense," he explains. "And that perspective makes all the difference. Expenses are paid because they have to be. Investments bring returns."
Early in his career, Eric recognized that he needed to enhance his skills in a number of areas to provide the best possible counsel to his clients.
"I knew, for example, that I needed to further develop my people skills. When I asked myself where I would get the chance to build those skills, I turned to IABC and actively sought out volunteer opportunities."
His experience on the Toronto board exposed him to a variety of projects and gave him the opportunity to work with many dedicated volunteers. He gained insight into approaching issues from a decision-making perspective, and he often draws on this experience when working with clients.
"Sometimes I find myself sitting down with my clients now and being asked to manage similar issues to those I have faced at IABC," he says. "This was part of my professional development and has been an extremely important component of the relationship-building process."
How important are relationships to his business?
"Repeat business represents about 80-85 per cent of my revenue. It's what pays my mortgage, feeds my family and will ultimately finance my retirement."
As a volunteer at the international level, he has had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some of the most renowned leaders in our field, people like Wilma Mathews, ABC, IABC Fellow, former chair of the international accreditation council and current chair of curriculum committee for the international conference, and John Clemons, ABC, APR, who chairs IABC's international board and will pass the chair to Toronto member Annette Martell in June.
"These people are some of the finest communicators in the world, and I feel privileged to know them, work with them and share ideas with them. But I would never have had the opportunity if I hadn't taken the time more than a dozen years ago to offer my services in some small way to IABC as a volunteer."
If you like to explore how you can volunteer your services to IABC/Toronto, please contact Alix Edmiston at toronto-volunteers@iabc.com
Alix is currently IABC/Torontošs VP-Volunteer Leadership Development & Services and an independent practitioner specializing in media relations, strategic marketing and publication management.
