As a committee member, Hopkins has committed herself to two-day committee meetings every quarter and another 40 hours annually to review committee materials, edit articles and prepare for committee meetings. That time commitment can increase dramatically, she says, if a committee member volunteers to produce a practice aid. And it does take up personal time, on nights and weekends. It s similar to the difference between being an attorney general and a policeman on the street. He even got some referrals out of his volunteer experience.
Many volunteers say the benefits far outweigh the costs.
My access to a network of information and resources is unparalleled. Gaining a network was also an important benefit for Hubert Glover, a CPA with Enterprise Advisory Services Inc. in Houston, who last year finished his stint on the minorities iniatitives committee and is now on the MCS executive committee. Many successful professionals say volunteering played an important part in their learning process. Volunteering provides an opportunity to test the leadership skills that are crucial for reaching the ownership levels of firms. Committees can also be a valuable place to find a mentor.