As April marked National Volunteer Month, I’ve been reflecting on the importance of volunteerism and how critical it is to not only Wichita Professional Communicators, but to our community and the world.
When you volunteer, you’re not only positively impacting the lives of people in your community, you’re also reaping some positive benefits yourself. According to the Mayo Clinic, research shows the benefits of volunteering include the following:
- Reduced stress levels and a decreased risk of depression, as volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests
- A sense of purpose and the opportunity to learn valuable skills
- Helps you stay physically and mentally active
- Helps you meet others, and develop new relationships and friendships
I’ve found all of those benefits to be true while volunteering through Wichita Professional Communicators. I’ve developed new friendships and continue to learn new skills from our talented members and monthly programs.
WPC wouldn’t be successful without some hard work behind the scenes. I want to express my deep gratitude for those who have volunteered to assist on our board this year: Dawn Monroe, vice president; Kylie Cameron, secretary; Emily Christensen, treasurer; Jennifer Eaton, membership VP; Sean Jones, programs VP; Naomi Shapiro, courtesy/reservations chair; Wilma Moore-Black, past president and scholarship committee co-chair; Shannon Littlejohn, historian; Judy Conkling, scholarship committee co-chair; Leisl Sackschewsky, newsletter editor; and Beth Bower, at-large board member.
If you are looking for a volunteer role, WPC is in need of a social media chair on our board of directors, or we have other committee roles you may be interested in. You can email me at darcyg@live.com for more information. Additionally, there are many other nonprofit organizations who could benefit from your talents. I encourage you to visit volunteerkansas.org to explore opportunities in your area, or simply reach out to an organization you’re passionate about. The results could be life-changing.
– Darcy Gray, WPC president
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