In December, LinkedIn asked its members the question, “Why do you volunteer?” More than 4,600 responded to the poll and 59% percent of them marked “To help where I’m needed.”

Is that why you volunteer?

Or is it because of the other answers in the poll:  to lend your skills and experience (27%); for a sense of accomplishment (11%); to learn new career skills (2%); or to make new friends (1%)?

Volunteer to Do Good

Volunteers are essential to many nonprofit organizations in the healthcare design industry. The Center for Health Design, could not have accomplished what it has in its first 20 years without the help of a volunteer board and numerous volunteer advisory groups.

And although most of the volunteers I worked with at The Center truly wanted to help where they were needed and lend their skills and experience, a few were in it more to help their own interests.

Which is okay, too, as long as it doesn’t present a conflict with what the organization is trying to accomplish. But, keep in mind that doing good for someone else will eventually reward you many times over.

What is Holding You Back?

So, get out there and volunteer!

Lots of nonprofit organizations in the healthcare design industry need help.  Check out opportunities at The Center, Environmental Design Research Association, Facility Guidelines Institute, Institute for Patient-Centered Design, Practice Green Health, Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments, Society for the Arts in Healthcare, or the U.S. Green Building Council.

See if you can become more involved in your professional association or credentialing body, whether it be the American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers, American College of Healthcare Architects, American Institute of Architects, American Society of Interior Designers, International Association of Interior Designers, or the International Facility Management Association.

Also, encourage your colleagues, especially the younger ones, to get involved.  The majority of the respondents to LinkedIn’s poll were males over the age of 45.

Are you ready to make a difference in 2013?

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