Experiences at American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) Austin Chapter

Balancing the vastly different levels of support that volunteer team members required was challenging. Some volunteers required and desired little supervision, while others desired little attention, but required cautious assistance, while still others needed regular guidance and sought approval for many decisions. Since this is a volunteer effort, it is essential that individuals feel their contributions are valued. When working with a non-profit organization, not providing monetary compensation, it is a challenge to find and deliver motivation and incentives for continued participation....

Responsible for all aspects of coordinating Design Ranch, a 3 day, international design conference held in Hunt, Texas at Camp Waldemar on the Guadalupe River. In this role I lead a team of 12 volunteers who each had responsibility for a different aspect of the event, from registration to entertainment to travel. My duties included finding a new location for the 6th annual event, and coordinating lodging and food for the nearly 200 attendees as well as travel for the speakers, who included Gayle Towey creative director for Martha Stewart Living and other highly respected designers. I was ultimately responsible for the full budget, and sponsorship of the event at multiple levels from design-related services companies....

As a professional, non-profit, volunteer organization, the best way to get involved is to show up at meetings and events and talk to any members, including Volunteer Chair, Courtney Albright, or President, Diana Guentzel.