At the final session for the 35 ^th class of Leadership Lufkin, I had the opportunity to address the class about volunteer programs available through Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce. The class was presented with a list of opportunities that ranged from our Diplomats Group to board member shadowing. Typically, with such a captive audience, I would cover all of our programs and conclude with "We Need Volunteers to be Successful." Instead, I put a twist on an old expression - "a square peg won't go into a round hole but a square peg always fits in a square hole."

Normally, our Chamber uses a broad approach to locate volunteers. We ask for help, throw out our net, and hope to catch the best possible volunteer but few times do we get these results. Our programs might be impressive and worth their time to volunteer, but if they aren't a good fit, the chance of longer term success is slim. Like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole - forced volunteerism isn't going to fit either.

One way to assist in finding the right fit is the creation of a Volunteer Handbook. The purpose of this handbook is to introduce the Chamber to volunteers, to provide information that will better enable the Chamber, through its volunteers and staff to undertake our mission, to provide an orientation to Chamber volunteers, to enhance volunteer development opportunities and to improve volunteer and team effectiveness. An effective handbook should be tailored to fit your Chamber but some key things to consider: 

• Great Foreign Exchange Rates
• Corporate Card Programs
• Accounts Payable Automation
• Large Ticket Processing (for cost reduction) and more