The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group President's Update Lyn Goodall |
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What Skills Do You Have?
Even though we're only in the middle of this year, your committee has already
begun to turn its attention to the Annual General Meeting and the makeup of the
committee for next year. Although the AGM won't be held until November, we are
discussing how we can encourage members to apply for positions. With a
membership base as large as ours, I have always been surprised at the small
number of members who vote and the even smaller amount of members who put their
hands up for a role on the committee.
Have you ever given serious consideration to the question of whether to become a
committee member? If you have even once thought about it, what stopped you from
contacting us to find out more? Do you know what is involved? Would you like to
know more? What could your committee do to make the thought of offering your
services to the group more attractive?
A group such as ours is made up of many different types of people. Most joined
originally to learn something about computers or how to use software. The
original need then changed as membership progressed. For my own part I was sick
of having computer problems I couldn't fix and I made it a goal to learn how
they worked. I became very interested in digital imaging and joined one of the
Interest Groups. After a while I was asked if I would help run the group and
then if I would consider being a part of the committee. The rest is history.
Each time I didn't know if I could do the job, but I knew I had some skills and
I was willing to try. I guess that's the most important thing!
One of the first questions I am usually asked when members think about becoming
a committee member is what time commitment there is. There is of course the
monthly committee meeting, which runs for three hours and the members monthly
meeting which runs for another two and half hours - perhaps four if you choose
to attend the WAFFLE Group afterwards! At a basic level that's all the time it
needs to take, but there is so much more to get involved with if you really want
to.
Each committee member is responsible for a portfolio such as Interest Groups,
Marketing, Monthly meetings, Training, Communications & the Web Site, PC
Update Liaison, Strategic Planning and Financial Planning etc. They work
with others to undertake tasks and arrange their meetings independently of the
main committee. All portfolio holders report back directly to the main committee
on the work they have done during the course of a month. As with most committees
you can do as much or as little work as you want. After all, we are an
organisation that is run by its volunteers.
What I have found is that once you have become a committee member, you realise
that there is so much to do and that you have skills that you have acquired
during a lifetime! Trust me, these skills are usually drawn upon. We are always
looking for people with skills in the areas of:
- Business and management
- Document development & management
- Web Site development
- People management
- Training management
- Secretarial work
- Financial management
- Marketing
- Event management
- Building and resource management
- Volunteer management
What skills do you have that you might be able to offer to your group? Have you had experience in some of the above areas, but thought you couldn't use it with Melb PC? Do you have the skills, but can't get to Chadstone? If you think you can help in any way please contact me as there may be possibilities to work with committee in other ways and not have to come to Chadstone.
If you are encouraged to find out more, I will welcome the chance to provide you with more information. The Committee welcomes all feedback - contact me at president@melbpcorg.au or the office (03) 9567 8000.
Reprinted from the August 2007 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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