The research industry needs volunteers. Here’s why you should consider playing a part.

Many of us here at MSG serve as active volunteer members of market and survey research industry organizations. It’s part of our company culture to get involved and make a difference. Recently, I attended back to back chapter events, and I began to reflect on the benefits of volunteering. Was it really worthwhile to devote my time to a local chapter organization?

It’s true, the amount of time you need to devote to volunteering can feel like a second job, and it is crucial that you be able to balance your primary and secondary activities. It’s definitely a juggling act, and it isn’t always easy.

That being said, there are loads of good reasons to become a volunteer. Here’s what influenced me to get involved:

Networking. Serving as an industry volunteer will get you talking to people and is a wonderful means for creating and maintaining relationships. I want to meet people whom I can work with, but I also want to build a network of long-lasting professional relationships. In my roles as a volunteer for a local chapter organization and committee memberships, I have encountered industry pros whom I never would have met otherwise.

Learning best practices. Education doesn’t end with a degree, a certification, or on-the-job training. It should be seen as a lifelong habit of mind. By attending events and seminars outside the orbit of your day-to-day business, you will be exposed to new ideas and pick up on new trends within your industry and related industries.

Organic growth. A natural goal we all have is to grow our business. When you volunteer, the cultivation of business growth can tend to happen more organically, as a function of developing relationships within the membership environment. As you discover ways to collaborate and partner with others, those seeds will sprout.

I firmly believe that volunteers are the lifeblood of an association. They keep our communities engaged and informed. Despite the fact that it can take up a lot of spare time, when I reflect and ask myself, should I have volunteered? I always answer a resounding YES!