How I Won Volunteer of the Year and You Can Too

As an adult, it feels like our responsibilities just keep piling up. From managing our families, professional commitments, and our own self-care routines, to ensuring that our kids’ schedules are intact and maybe even trying to refresh our wardrobes from this century, life can get overwhelming. (This might sound familiar to you, read on if you’re wondering how you can make time for volunteering on top of all of that.)

Firstly, my only kid responsibility is my dog-child Asha. However as a business owner, life can get busy and fitting volunteering into my schedule takes intentionality and flexibility. That’s why I was so surprised when the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) named me one of seven volunteers of the year!?

Why I Volunteer and How I Became Volunteer of the Year

It’s an honor to share this recognition with? my colleagues/friends who, like me, are busy business owners with jam-packed schedules. Each of these people have helped me on my business journey. Many chambers of commerce struggle to engage members. Luckily our chamber is excellent at creating lasting relationships and meaningful connections.?

That’s partially due to our leader- president and CEO Paula Ross. Coming from a strong nonprofit background, Paula truly believes in the chamber’s ability to create change locally. Known as the upcounty commerce engine, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce creates synergy for Montgomery County, Maryland businesses.?

At first glance, volunteering might seem like yet another job on top of running a business. But here’s the thing: volunteering is actually a powerful business-building tool. It’s a way to build your network with people who share your values, grow your impact, and support your community. Volunteering for your local chamber of commerce is kinda like double dipping by giving you more visibility amongst business owners helping you to meet more people while helping you deepen existing relationships.

By now, you may be thinking, "How can I become Volunteer of the Year—or even just a good human who helps out my community?" Let me share my framework for giving back to help you explore how volunteering can fit into your adulting schedule.

The DPTD Framework: Finding Aligned Opportunities To Become A Stellar Volunteer

If you’re trying to make a difference but don’t know where to start, the DPTD framework is a powerful tool for finding aligned opportunities that match your values and the resources you can contribute. DPTD stands for Dollars, People, Time, and Donations, offering four impactful ways to give back to causes that matter to you.

1. Dollars- This is the most common form of giving, especially on days like Giving Tuesday. If you’re in a position to give money, every dollar helps nonprofits make a bigger impact, but remember, it's not the only way to contribute. While dollars are powerful, volunteering can be just as valuable.
2. People- Sometimes the best thing you can give is your physical presence. Many organizations rely on volunteers to make projects happen, whether it’s showing up to an event, providing manpower, or assisting with day-to-day operations. Think about causes you care about and offer your skills, or even just a helping hand. There are countless ways to volunteer, so whether you're walking dogs at a shelter or helping coordinate a community event, your effort counts. Showing up to volunteer is an excellent way to earn your “volunteer of the year” badge.
3. Time- Beyond physical presence, donating your time can involve offering professional services or leadership skills. For example, you might join a nonprofit’s board of directors, or offer your expertise pro bono. This form of giving is critical because it saves nonprofits the costs of hiring consultants or other service providers. Websites like Catch A Fire allow professionals to donate their time and skills remotely to nonprofits in need. This is another excellent method to work your way into a volunteer of the year slot!?
4. Donations- When we think of donations, we often think of money or clothes. But donating can go far beyond that. Maybe you have meeting or event space that you can offer to a nonprofit in need, or your business can sponsor a nonprofit’s event, providing them with exposure while giving your brand a boost in the community. You might also donate items for volunteer appreciation so your nonprofit partner can celebrate the people who help them make the mission possible.

By using the DPTD framework, you can find the right balance between what you’re comfortable giving and what organizations need most. It’s about finding what aligns with your values and making an impact, no matter how big or small.

Making Time to Volunteer

Before you apply the DPTD framework, determine what excites you! First, think about what causes you are excited about and how you can get involved. An aligned opportunity is one that reflects your purpose, vision, and goals. This means your time and energy are spent supporting something that matters to you. Additionally, volunteering with aligned partner organizations can help your business grow, making your time more valuable.

One of the biggest barriers to volunteering is time. But it doesn’t have to be! Start by asking yourself:

• What causes align with your values?
• Where do you want to spend your time, knowing that it’s limited?

Once you prioritize the causes that matter most to you, you can figure out how to fit volunteering into your life. This might mean you volunteer weekly, monthly, quarterly, or even just on special occasions. The key is to be realistic about your availability and communicate that with the volunteer coordinator.

How to Get Started: Don’t Wait for an Invitation

You don’t have to wait for someone to ask you to volunteer. After using the DPTD framework to figure out what’s important to you, seek out organizations that align with your values. You can use services like CharityConnect for volunteering in the Washington, D.C. area, or just reach out to organizations directly to ask about their volunteer needs.

You can also add the DPTD framework like our past client Musu Wheeler to attract the right community partners aligned with your priorities.

Pro tip: When networking, ask nonprofits, "Who should I talk to in your organization if I want to learn more about volunteering?" This simple question can open doors to new opportunities and connections.

Consistency is Key

Once you’ve committed to volunteering, consistency is critical. Be clear about how often you can realistically contribute, and make sure the organization knows when to expect you. Life happens, and things come up, but planning ahead increases your chances of showing up and making a difference.

When creating your weekly, monthly, or quarterly schedule ask yourself if you’ve dedicated the time you wanted to for volunteering. Intentionally adding time to volunteer when you’re planning your schedule will help you create the consistency mentioned earlier.

Advice for Nonprofit Leaders

As a former volunteer coordinator, I know how difficult it can be to maintain relationships with volunteers over time. Nonprofits can use the DPTD framework too! By explaining your needs and how volunteers can layer into your mission, you can help potential volunteers (and business partners) understand where they fit. Put this info on your website so that people searching for ways to get involved can easily find out how to help.

You can also use the DPTD framework when networking to figure out whether someone prefers to give their time, people power, or dollars. Not everyone has the same capacity, but everyone can contribute in some way.

Get Involved

Volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about building a better world with like-minded people. Whether you’re showing up in person or offering your professional expertise, your contribution can create ripples of impact.?

If you haven’t found your place yet, the DPTD framework can help guide you to the right opportunity. So go ahead, start today, and make a difference!

Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, Thanks for Our Volunteer of the Year Awards!?

It was an absolute honor and privilege to be named volunteer of the year. Especially since the other awardees are such fantastic people. Follow all of the volunteers here:?

Pictured: Mick Collins , Rachelle Rohner Stuart Barr , Wendie Veloz

Pictured: Philippa Channer , Rebecca Cathcart , Jared Bailey

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