It’s not why I started being a School Governor 10 years ago, but it has certainly provided many benefits. I am giving something back, which is important to me, through adding my own skills and experience and providing an external and independent view, but I gain plenty in return.
I’m a Governor at the Piggott School, and last week they held some careers events for the 6th form, which they do each year. Over two days I delivered six workshops on ‘Starting your own business’ and ‘CV writing skills’. Year 12 are a tough audience, and while I’ve been facilitating and delivering education for many years, doing this for a room of 16 and 17 year olds is a whole other experience. It was both hugely enjoyable and rewarding, and I’m fairly confident what I shared was helpful and well received
It was a great reminder to me of the benefits you can get from volunteering and how I continue to gain from being a school Governor.
🔶 How I benefit from volunteering as a school governor.
I learn from different people of different backgrounds, both staff and other governors.
My network is stronger for the new people I know and work alongside.
I'm in a different environment, and I recognise there is much I don't know, which keeps me grounded.
I learn from the different perspectives others bring.
I learn new skills and sharpen others, governance, chairing meetings and teamwork are good examples.
🔷 How you could benefit from volunteering.
You'll get to see how a different organisation operates and experience a difference sector.
You can try working with new, and different groups of people.
You can learn new skills and improve some existing ones.
You can fill a knowledge or experience gap that might be tricky to do otherwise.
You can learn from how others view problems and solve challenges.
It will enhance your CV, and can even help you transition to a new career.
It can increase your confidence.
Volunteering might not be the first thing you think of when you're considering professional development, but it is definitely worth trying.
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