The Value of Volunteering: The Power of Saying Yes to SMPS
Posted by sreynolds on Sep. 22, 2026 / Subscribe 0
When I joined SMPS six years ago, I wasn't thinking about leadership. Honestly, I was trying to figure out how to do my job.
I was brand new to marketing, teaching myself as I went, and working at my first A/E/C firm. My company gave me the opportunity to learn on the job, but I quickly realized there was a lot I didn't know. When I first heard about SMPS, I thought it would be a good way to network. Once I learned about the education and resources available, I wanted to take advantage of as much of it as I could.
What I didn't realize was how much volunteering would shape my experience.
I Started by Saying Yes
My first involvement with SMPS Arizona came through the Education and Programs committees. They were the first to invite me to a meeting, so I went. I gravitated toward Education because the committee seemed to have a greater need for volunteers. I enjoyed helping plan programs while also learning from them. Eventually, when the Education Director position opened, I was asked to step into the role. I started in 2024. I was nervous. I had never served on the SMPS Arizona board before, and the thought of planning six educational events for the chapter was intimidating. Fortunately, I was surrounded by people who had done it before and were willing to help.
Looking back, that experience taught me something I've continued to learn through every SMPS leadership opportunity: you don't have to know everything before you raise your hand.
Volunteering Changed How I Experienced SMPS
Going to an SMPS event is one thing. Volunteering puts you in a different kind of relationship with the people around you.
By volunteering, I got to know people beyond quick introductions and business-card exchanges. We worked together, planned events together, solved problems together, and, eventually, became friends. I also had the opportunity to spend time with people who had more experience in A/E/C and professional services marketing. I could listen to how they approached their jobs, ask questions, and learn from their experiences.
Through Education, I also got to interact with speakers and presenters, expanding my network beyond chapter members. One of my favorite reminders of how much that network had grown came at a conference. I realized I knew enough people that I was introducing them to each other. Before long, we were talking about our jobs, sharing experiences, and laughing about the same challenges and frustrations. We came from different firms, but we understood what it was like to work in A/E/C marketing. I wasn't just attending an event where I knew a few names. I was surrounded by people I genuinely knew.
If I had only gone to SMPS events, I would have missed out on those genuine connections and friendships.
The Unexpected Path to Leadership
I originally wanted to be an observer. I wanted to learn from people who knew more than I did. But I kept saying yes.
First, I volunteered on committees. Then I became Education Director. Now I'm serving as President-Elect and will become chapter president next year. That last step was intimidating. But somewhere along the way, I realized leadership in SMPS isn't about being the person who is most qualified or knows everything. It's about being willing to help, caring about the organization, and being willing to raise your hand. I've benefited enormously from people who were willing to share what they knew when I was a newer marketer. Taking on leadership is one way I can pay that forward.
I also haven't had to figure it out alone. Training, guidance from previous presidents, and the support of other board members have helped make each new responsibility manageable.
The Professional Benefits Matter, Too
Volunteering has taught me skills I use in my career every day. I've learned how to plan programs and events, delegate and trust others, and work with people who have different perspectives and working styles. Through conversations with other SMPS members, I've also learned how different firms structure their marketing teams and approach their businesses. SMPS has helped me become more comfortable talking with principals and clients, become more involved in business development, and expand my professional network. Some of those relationships have even created opportunities for my firm to team on projects. But for me, the professional benefits are only part of the story. The biggest benefit has been community.
You Don't Have to Do Everything
Sometimes the word "volunteer" makes people think they must take on a major role, attend every meeting, and commit a huge amount of time. That's not necessarily the case. There are opportunities that require more time and responsibility, and there are opportunities that require very little. Volunteering can be as simple as joining a virtual meeting, offering an idea, or helping with a specific task. You can find something that fits your schedule and the amount of time you have available. You don't have to know exactly where it will lead.
Six years ago, I joined SMPS because I wanted to learn and build my network. Volunteering helped me do both, but it also gave me something I wasn't looking for when I joined: a community of people I could learn from, work alongside, and call friends.
So, if you're wondering whether you should get more involved, my advice is simple: raise your hand.
You don't have to start with a board position. You don't have to have all the answers. Start somewhere, contribute what you can, and see where it takes you.
It might take you somewhere you never expected.
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