In the United States, approximately one in four people volunteers in one fashion or another. Anyone involved with IPC might be surprised by that statistic from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The large number of IPC volunteers is just one factor that seems a bit at odds with the statistic. The other is the level of enthusiasm shared by most volunteers. Any time I talk to IPC committee members about the projects they’re working on, their enthusiasm is clearly evident.
They typically enjoy working with peers from different companies, and they also like the feeling of accomplishment that comes when documents are completed. One volunteer told me that working on a standard was much more fun and rewarding than working his day job, though he did so anonymously so he could keep that job.
It’s going to be interesting to see how volunteerism evolves as more people telecommute. My guess is that it’s likely to grow. People who work from home or in small, remote offices are more likely to want more human interaction. Whether IPC meetings are held in person or by teleconferences, participation in committee meetings is a way to network with many people in the same field.
Filed under: Committees, IPC Tagged: IPC committees, IPC volunteers
