Volunteering at the UK and Ireland SAP User Group and how it has taught me so much....

Back in 2000 I was 2 years into my experience of SAP software, and I went along to a UK & Ireland SAP User Group meeting. What struck me at the time was the enthusiasm of the organisers and the interest of all those present in everything that was said. I didn't get it at first, I mean why were all these very intelligent people getting so excited about talking about issues and challenges and sharing all their war stories? And then all of a sudden it clicked....the action of getting clever people together and sharing experiences was incredibly powerful. Very quickly I found the value to me and my organisation, but it didn't stop there.

In conversations with the then Chairman I was given the opportunity to get my hands dirty, and become a director of the User Group. Working with the board of directors was fascinating as this was an organisation just waiting to really increase the impact and up its game. I've always been a problem solver, and it was apparent to me that it needed focus. And volunteers despite their enthusiasm just don't have the time to focus.

The board expanded and decided to increase its size and influence. First stop was to employ some staff. We were extremely lucky to uncover an excellent Operations Manager (now our UG CEO), and that focus started to happen. Membership rocketed, attendance increased, UG events expanded and in 2006 we held our first annual conference at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham. In 2007 I became Chairman of the organisation, and handed over to the safe hands of Philip Adams in 2013, and I continued as a Director. This year marks our 10th Conference where we now occupy the whole of the Birmingham International Conference Centre.

But along the way we had to shape and build an organisation, learning all the things that a company has to do. Annual accounts, auditors, multiple legal matters, RFP's for services, HR policies, Health and Safety policies, website design, sales and marketing pitches, office relocations, all manner of company policies and yes, even IT implementations (we now run SAP).

I'm immensely proud of what we all have achieved and the benefits we have given to the thousands of people we have touched, and long may it continue!

And all this as a volunteer - I can't thank my various employers over the years enough for allowing me to do this, and my wife and family for the hours spent working late to get things ready for events and board meetings. Personally I have learnt an awful lot, especially in my 6 years as Chairman of the organisation, and without doubt it has made me a far more knowledgeable and rounded individual. I've also been privileged to meet and work with some amazing people, making every day a learning opportunity. And of course, my employers, also benefited through that learning.

Volunteering is healthy for you and your employer - and can be addictive! So my message to employers encourage your staff to do this type of thing, it pays back many times over. And to individuals...just do it, its fun and very rewarding.