ASSP’s nearly 1,800 volunteer leaders provide networking, education and advocacy for fellow members and help advance ASSP’s ability to serve the occupational safety and health (OSH) profession.

Collectively, our volunteers contribute more than 200,000 hours in support of ASSP and our member communities each year.

Earlier this year, we asked our leaders to share their experiences as ASSP volunteers. Here’s what we heard.

1. Our volunteers are highly motivated to serve the safety profession. Volunteering is a valuable and rewarding experience for the vast majority of our leaders. Giving back to the profession and contributing to its growth and development are the top reasons they get involved, followed by the opportunity to expand their professional network. Other reasons for getting involved include advancing personal and professional goals, supporting ASSP and their member community, and simply enjoying the projects they get to work on.
2. Our volunteers feel they have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities, but are hungry for additional resources to help them execute. Nearly all our volunteers would say they have an understanding of the primary purpose and responsibilities of their volunteer positions, notably focusing on their role in providing member value and engagement. Existing resources are helpful in building that understanding, but volunteers continue to look for support in accessing those resources. In addition, leaders are looking for more tools and best practices to help them execute the specific tasks associated with their role.
3. Recognition within the ASSP community is important. While our volunteers aren’t in it for the glory, they value being recognized among and by their peers. They see this as key in retaining great leaders and encouraging others to get involved. Community leaders are eager to see the contributions of the entire leadership team rewarded. While a sincere thank you is appreciated, volunteers also would like something tangible to celebrate their accomplishments and help them start conversations about ASSP and volunteer service.
4. Our volunteers work hard to balance many responsibilities and how well that happens varies based on where they are serving. Our leaders are juggling work, family and their volunteer responsibilities. Sometimes that can feel overwhelming. And the support they receive as a volunteer can vary significantly from one member community to the next or from one level of the Society to another. While many volunteers reported receiving a lot of help and encouragement from their fellow leaders, others shared that they feel all the responsibility for keeping things going falls on their shoulders or that they and their contributions aren’t welcome or appreciated by those around them.
5. Our volunteers are ready to reconnect. Our volunteers see value in each other. Whether it’s the chance to share ideas with someone in a similar role or learn from senior leaders how to advance their leadership goals, our volunteers seek more opportunities to connect in real-time, in person and online. ASSP’s Leadership Conference is seen as a significant opportunity to do this, but leaders are also interested in smaller engagements like regional gatherings, online meetings and one-on-one mentoring.