Confessions of a First-Time Project Management Volunteer
From the Voices on Project Management Blog
by Cameron McGaughy,
Lynda Bourne, Kevin Korterud, Peter Tarhanidis, Conrado Morlan, Jen Skrabak, Mario Trentim, Christian Bisson, Yasmina Khelifi, Sree Rao, Soma Bhattacharya, Emily Luijbregts, David Wakeman, Ramiro Rodrigues, Wanda Curlee, Lenka Pincot, cyndee miller, Jorge Martin Valdes Garciatorres, Marat Oyvetsky
Voices on Project Management offers insights, tips, advice and personal stories from project managers in different regions and industries. The goal is to get you thinking, and spark a discussion. So, if you read something that you agree with--or even disagree with--leave a comment.
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Date

By Yasmina Khelifi, PMP
Are you considering volunteering for a professional association or within your corporate organization? Almost two years ago, I did for the first time by joining the PMI France and PMI United Arab Emirates (UAE) Chapters—and I haven’t looked back since. What a transformational journey! Volunteering has helped me sharpen my leadership skills, unleash my creativity and broaden my professional network.
Whether you’re thinking about becoming a first-time volunteer or hoping to start volunteering again, here are some great benefits of giving your time to a larger project:
1. Volunteer to hone your project leadership skills
In November 2018, I joined the PMI France Chapter’s marketing communications team to contribute to an internal newsletter. Volunteering allowed me to interact with people from different cultures, countries, backgrounds, education levels, ages and professional experiences. I was able to collaborate with a diverse group of people, which is essential for any project leader.
Volunteering has opened many new doors:
- I have discovered new ways of working.
- I have found new energy and passion for projects.
- I have learned how to better communicate with people from different backgrounds.
- I have sharpened my writing skills in French and English, and learned how to be more concise in my communications.
- I have strengthened my skills in virtual project management, a key pillar in our globalized world.
2. Volunteer to experiment in a safe environment
Volunteering has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and given me the confidence to experiment in new areas:
- For the first time, I presented a webinar about leadership skills for the PMI UAE Chapter in collaboration with a friend there. Despite the bad sound during the presentation, I enjoyed the great learning experience, especially in preparing the slides, revising and rehearsing.
- For the first time, I managed social network posts and created accompanying visuals.
3. Volunteer to expand your professional network
Volunteering has helped me to broaden my perspectives and network outside of my enterprise. Having worked almost exclusively in an international environment, I wanted to expand my network more in France. Surprisingly, thanks to the PMI volunteers’ network, I ended up meeting new people within my own company! I now belong to a worldwide and strong project management community: We support each other during this tough time.
Looking back on this incredible journey, I cherish the gifts I’ve received. Volunteering provides an invaluable source of learning and growth.
Leave a comment below sharing how volunteering has benefited your project teams or your project leadership abilities.
Posted
by
Yasmina Khelifi
on: April 17, 2020 01:00 PM |
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Comments (27)
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Drew Craig
Sr. Agile & Product Coach| Vanguard
Philadelphia, Pa, United States
Fantastic. Sounds like amazing experiences. Glad you came by to share with us.
Eduard Hernandez
Community Champion
Product Operations Program Manager
Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Yasmina, I can relate to the points listed in your post. I joined the Dutch chapter a few months ago and my only regret is that I did not do it earlier.
Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Yasmina
I couldn’t agree more with you. Great points, I hear you loud and clear.
RK
Anh Vu
Project Manager| Harveynash
Hanoi, Hanoi, Viet Nam
wonderful experience, I will look for a change to volunteer with Vietnam chapter also,
Hi Eduin Fernando thank you for your comment!
Hi Andrew, thank you so much for your kind comment. Have a nice day!
Hi Eduard, thank you for your comment and glad we agree!!
Hi Rami, thank you for your awesome comment!
Hi Anh Vu, you made my day! I wish you good luck in PMI Vietnam!
Hi S. Gino Ariel, thank you for having taken time to read my post.
Obiajulum Omoregie
Head, Project Management Capability Building| Nawah Energy Company
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Great Share. Volunteering has been a major influence on my career as well. Thanks for your article.
Hi Obi thank you for your kind comment! Glad you are an active volunteer also!
Graeme Morgan
Project Manager| Digibloc IT Strategies
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Thanks for this information Yasmina, I am expanding my volunteer efforts within PMI and my local chapter....sharing your experiences gives me motivation to do more!
Hi Graeme, very happy to read my post was useful to you! Yes volunteering requires efforts and time but this is very rewarding! Good luck! Stay safe, Yasmina
Win Myat Aung
Senior Project Manager| None
Yangon, Hlaing Township, Myanmar
Thanks for sharing. Your post is rich with information, knowledge and encouragement.
Hi Win Myat, thank you for your kind comment and I am very glad that it is useful to you! Stay safe! Yasmina
Hi Abolfazi, thank you for your kind feedback! Stay safe.
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