Considering becoming a volunteer treasurer for a not for profit organisation? What’s in it for you?

If you are the right person for any volunteer role, and in particular one with such responsibility and power to influence as the treasurer, you are either passionate about the cause or you are simply motivated to make a difference and use your skills to do good.

Whilst we are not encouraging a purely selfish mindset and motives, when it comes to volunteer commitment, it is pertinent to consider the professional benefits that volunteering can provide, on top of the personal satisfaction.

Volunteer—not so you can build your resume, but so you can build yourself. – Unknown

Experienced?

If you are a financial professional already, regardless how much experience and qualifications you may have, there is always the opportunity to learn more and gain a different perspective. You also have so much to give in terms of commercial and competitive perspective standpoint, which is highly relevant as the need to stretch funding further, compete for others for market share and grants and provide a commercial viable service in increasingly competitive charitable and not for profit sector, is more important with each and every financial year.  You may even be coming to the end of your professional career in finance or accounting, and a volunteer treasurer role may be an excellent way to retire slowly or keep your skills current and your mind active.

Newly Qualified?

Maybe you’re a graduate with a qualification stating you know your debits from your credits but you don’t have too many runs on the board.  For those looking to start or progress their careers in the accounting world, a volunteer treasurer role is an exceptional opportunity to learn as you give. Regardless of how much or little experience you have, you would be an asset to an organisation needing governance support in the area of finance and risk.  Treasurers roles are one of the hardest to fill, so it is worth checking out a site such as PRObono Australia and see if you can match some of your passions or interests with an organisation who needs help.  I think you may find you gain far more than you give.

Passionate but untried?

Just because your background is not accountancy, doesn’t mean you can’t contribute to a board in a volunteer treasurer role and learn as you go.  If the previous treasurer has left the records and accounts in a reasonable state, you’ve had a handover and you have some software support, you have every opportunity to provide great support and gain new skills in the process. If you’re really lucky your board will already be using our software package which is a software package specifically tailored for the grassroots volunteer treasurer. If not, consider taking advantage of our 55 day free trial to help you get a handle on the role in the easiest possible way.

No matter where you are in your career, voluntary board commitment, particularly in a role as essential and responsible as treasurer, may be the difference not only to you and your own prospects and satisfaction, but also to your community.