There has been a stream of activity going back decades, but more on that later. The task today is to examine ASPRS volunteering. What started in 1990 as an interest in attending conferences to learn about various industries led to finding GIS/LIS ’90 in Anaheim, CA.  During a GIS workshop, I was informed that one could volunteer as a workshop helper and learn the content at the same time.  It became a regular thing, and expanded to include monitoring sessions on technical papers.  During one such session, the moderator was unable to attend, and it was suggested that I introduce speakers.  I declined, but regretted it long afterward and wondered: what does it take to seize random opportunities?

I also wandered into business meetings, and with a freshly minted Business Administration degree, offered my expertise and then delivered on promises to the best of my abilities.  Along the way, more opportunities arose: Student Activities Chairperson, Moderator Coordinator, PE&RS column author, Director, and a series of Career Development conference events, among others. It was personally fulfilling to see my seemingly small contributions guide the future outcomes of an organization of honorable people guiding the development of a new industry.  The Standard Committee Chairperson has been the most rewarding, culminating a series of major career accomplishments.

Volunteering at the 2025 UN-GGIM Meeting of the Committee of Experts

The current video as an introduction to interesting aspects of volunteering: