ount per year of $200. Again, cost depends on the size of the chamber.)

Ask them to put a flyer in their newsletter "x" times a year. Of course, he'd have to pay for the printing of the flyer, but including the flyer in the newsletter usually costs an additional $50 to $100 per issue.

Ask them to sponsor an event without charging him the sponsor fee.

Ask them to change his membership to sponsor level, which is worth $500 to $2,500 per year.

If they have events where members pay for tables, he could ask for a table in a good area at no cost for the next five years.

As you can see, it wouldn't be difficult to give a blanket "yes" and end up over your head in volunteer work. But there is a balance to be found between giving back to the community and making sure you're taking care of yourself.

How did I learn to help you consider all this? So far, I've been a volunteer for 41 years. I've been on so many boards and committees that I've lost count. Some days I knew w

Peter (not his real name) is a member of a few organizations, including his local Chamber of Commerce. He owns a company that performs business services such as copywriting, newsletter publishing, advertising expertise, and marketing consultations, even writing business and marketing plans.

His chamber -- like many chambers -- runs on a shoestring, usually doesn't make much money for lunches or events, and works their board's fingers to the bones. They desperately need to pay someone to do what he does so, of course, they asked him to join the board. When he asked how many hours it would take, he was told four or five per month. He knows he was asked only because he's the first in his field to do what he does. And he really doesn't want to attend so many meetings and do so much work without being paid what the job deserves.

Maria Answers

First of all, it's OK to say "No" to a Chamber of Commerce or other such group. While being on the board is a nice thing to have on your "resume," it isn't mandatory. He could say, "I appreciate the offer, but at this time I prefer to decline." If his "no" is not accepted, he can repeat the sentence. Remember, when we say yes, no one asks for a long explanation or tries to change our mind. "No" is a complete sentence. Above everything, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

• He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
• Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings would be an additional $10,000 over the next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.
• On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

• It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
• It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them. And in this case, what he does will be seen by the members and may end up in newspapers.
• They have no money to pay him.

Other variables can help Peter make an informed decision are:

1. He can determine what he really wants to do as a volunteer. He could consider:

• Maybe this year is NOT the year for him to be on the board.
• Maybe it's the year to be on the board but not in a position that requires 8 hours a month plus the extra work.
• Maybe he'll reconsider because of the credibility the board position can give him in the community.
• Maybe he wants to volunteer in some way that can help him and his business the most - but NOT be on the board.

2. He can find non-cash ways to be paid and present a proposal to the organization.

• Ask for payment -- it shows that he values what he does.
• Ask them to pay his membership fees for the next 5 years. (For a home business, this can range from $80 per year to $350 per year, depending on where he lives.)
• Ask them to let him use their conference room for meetings for the next 5 years when it's available. (Figure $20 per hour for meeting space.)
• Ask them to put a business-card ad in the newsletter for the next five years. (Usually the cost is $25 per month, or a discount per year of $200. Again, cost depends on the size of the chamber.)
• Ask them to put a flyer in their newsletter "x" times a year. Of course, he'd have to pay for the printing of the flyer, but including the flyer in the newsletter usually costs an additional $50 to $100 per issue.
• Ask them to sponsor an event without charging him the sponsor fee.
• Ask them to change his membership to sponsor level, which is worth $500 to $2,500 per year.
• If they have events where members pay for tables, he could ask for a table in a good area at no cost for the next five years.

As you can see, it wouldn't be difficult to give a blanket "yes" and end up over your head in volunteer work. But there is a balance to be found between giving back to the community and making sure you're taking care of yourself.

How did I learn to help you consider all this? So far, I've been a volunteer for 41 years. I've been on so many boards and committees that I've lost count. Some days I knew wh

mandatory. He could say, "I appreciate the offer, but at this time I prefer to decline." If his "no" is not accepted, he can repeat the sentence. Remember, when we say yes, no one asks for a long explanation or tries to change our mind. "No" is a complete sentence. Above everything, don't give a reason for not doing it. Why? Because you're giving them an excuse, and they'll try to come up with solutions to it. If you've been in that situation, even in your personal life, you know what could happen here, don't you?

Now, if Peter wants to do something for the chamber, here are some things I suggest to help him make an informed decision and determine if a win-win is in sight.

• He's right to think that if anyone says something will take 4 hours and it's a not-for-profit group, he should double that time -- to 8 hours in this case. That's 96 hours for one year, equal to 3 weeks of work! So, at his $200-per-hour rate, the money he won't be making that year while volunteering is $19,200, NOT including travel time.
• Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings would be an additional $10,000 over the next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.
• On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

• It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
• It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them. And in this case, what he does will be seen by the members and may end up in newspapers.
• They have no money to pay him.

Other variables can help Peter make an informed decision are:

1. He can determine what he really wants to do as a volunteer. He could consider:

• Maybe this year is NOT the year for him to be on the board.
• Maybe it's the year to be on the board but not in a position that requires 8 hours a month plus the extra work.
• Maybe he'll reconsider because of the credibility the board position can give him in the community.
• Maybe he wants to volunteer in some way that can help him and his business the most - but NOT be on the board.

2. He can find non-cash ways to be paid and present a proposal to the organization.

• Ask for payment -- it shows that he values what he does.
• Ask them to pay his membership fees for the next 5 years. (For a home business, this can range from $80 per year to $350 per year, depending on where he lives.)
• Ask them to let him use their conference room for meetings for the next 5 years when it's available. (Figure $20 per hour for meeting space.)
• Ask them to put a business-card ad in the newsletter for the next five years. (Usually the cost is $25 per month, or a discount per year of $200. Again, cost depends on the size of the chamber.)
• Ask them to put a flyer in their newsletter "x" times a year. Of course, he'd have to pay for the printing of the flyer, but including the flyer in the newsletter usually costs an additional $50 to $100 per issue.
• Ask them to sponsor an event without charging him the sponsor fee.
• Ask them to change his membership to sponsor level, which is worth $500 to $2,500 per year.
• If they have events where members pay for tables, he could ask for a table in a good area at no cost for the next five years.

As you can see, it wouldn't be difficult to give a blanket "yes" and end up over your head in volunteer work. But there is a balance to be found between giving back to the community and making sure you're taking care of yourself.

How did I learn to help you consider all this? So far, I've been a volunteer for 41 years. I've been on so many boards and committees that I've lost count. Some days I knew w

l time.

Peter has estimated that if the chamber were his client, the cost of the work done away from the meetings would be an additional $10,000 over the next 12 months. So the total "cost" of volunteer work is $29,200.

On another note, it's usual that people on the board are "in the know" business people -- the movers and shakers in the business community, and getting to know them better, well, that's surely worth a lot!

Peter should determine what the chamber could do for him.

• It would look good for his immediate reputation to be a board member.
• It would be great for his company, because at some point their newsletter will mention what he's done for them. And in this case, what he does will be seen by the members and may end up in newspapers.
• They have no money to pay him.

Other variables can help Peter make an informed decision are:

1. He can determine what he really wants to do as a volunteer. He could consider:

• Maybe this year is NOT the year for him to be on the board.
• Maybe it's the year to be on the board but not in a position that requires 8 hours a month plus the extra work.
• Maybe he'll reconsider because of the credibility the board position can give him in the community.
• Maybe he wants to volunteer in some way that can help him and his business the most - but NOT be on the board.

2. He can find non-cash ways to be paid and present a proposal to the organization.

• Ask for payment -- it shows that he values what he does.
• Ask them to pay his membership fees for the next 5 years. (For a home business, this can range from $80 per year to $350 per year, depending on where he lives.)
• Ask them to let him use their conference room for meetings for the next 5 years when it's available. (Figure $20 per hour for meeting space.)
• Ask them to put a business-card ad in the newsletter for the next five years. (Usually the cost is $25 per month, or a discount per year of $200. Again, cost depends on the size of the chamber.)
• Ask them to put a flyer in their newsletter "x" times a year. Of course, he'd have to pay for the printing of the flyer, but including the flyer in the newsletter usually costs an additional $50 to $100 per issue.
• Ask them to sponsor an event without charging him the sponsor fee.
• Ask them to change his membership to sponsor level, which is worth $500 to $2,500 per year.
• If they have events where members pay for tables, he could ask for a table in a good area at no cost for the next five years.

As you can see, it wouldn't be difficult to give a blanket "yes" and end up over your head in volunteer work. But there is a balance to be found between giving back to the community and making sure you're taking care of yourself.

How did I learn to help you consider all this? So far, I've been a volunteer for 41 years. I've been on so many boards and committees that I've lost count. Some days I knew w

e this year is NOT the year for him to be on the board.

Maybe it's the year to be on the board but not in a position that requires 8 hours a month plus the extra work.

Maybe he'll reconsider because of the credibility the board position can give him in the community.

Maybe he wants to volunteer in some way that can help him and his business the most - but NOT be on the board.

2. He can find non-cash ways to be paid and present a proposal to the organization.

• Ask for payment -- it shows that he values what he does.
• Ask them to pay his membership fees for the next 5 years. (For a home business, this can range from $80 per year to $350 per year, depending on where he lives.)
• Ask them to let him use their conference room for meetings for the next 5 years when it's available. (Figure $20 per hour for meeting space.)
• Ask them to put a business-card ad in the newsletter for the next five years. (Usually the cost is $25 per month, or a discount per year of $200. Again, cost depends on the size of the chamber.)
• Ask them to put a flyer in their newsletter "x" times a year. Of course, he'd have to pay for the printing of the flyer, but including the flyer in the newsletter usually costs an additional $50 to $100 per issue.
• Ask them to sponsor an event without charging him the sponsor fee.
• Ask them to change his membership to sponsor level, which is worth $500 to $2,500 per year.
• If they have events where members pay for tables, he could ask for a table in a good area at no cost for the next five years.

As you can see, it wouldn't be difficult to give a blanket "yes" and end up over your head in volunteer work. But there is a balance to be found between giving back to the community and making sure you're taking care of yourself.

How did I learn to help you consider all this? So far, I've been a volunteer for 41 years. I've been on so many boards and committees that I've lost count. Some days I knew w

ount per year of $200. Again, cost depends on the size of the chamber.)

Ask them to put a flyer in their newsletter "x" times a year. Of course, he'd have to pay for the printing of the flyer, but including the flyer in the newsletter usually costs an additional $50 to $100 per issue.

Ask them to sponsor an event without charging him the sponsor fee.

Ask them to change his membership to sponsor level, which is worth $500 to $2,500 per year.

If they have events where members pay for tables, he could ask for a table in a good area at no cost for the next five years.

As you can see, it wouldn't be difficult to give a blanket "yes" and end up over your head in volunteer work. But there is a balance to be found between giving back to the community and making sure you're taking care of yourself.

How did I learn to help you consider all this? So far, I've been a volunteer for 41 years. I've been on so many boards and committees that I've lost count. Some days I knew what day it was only because of which meeting I was attending after work. I learned that I had to find my own balance and that saying "no" at times was a sign of strength and gave someone else an opportunity to do a great job. Giving has to come from the overflow of your full and energized life, not from the bottom of your barrel.

So Peter has a big decision to make. And so do you. But I'm sure that now, when you do volunteer, you'll know all you're getting into and you can give from the top of the barrel.