Today I wrote an email to a large group of colleagues titled "one more thing..." this was my way of admitting that while I gave my notice two weeks ago at a job I have loved for the last 14.5 years, I still had one more thing to say before I signed out.
That one more thing I shared was that I wasn't really leaving the organization, but rather I was getting a promotion, to one of the most valued roles we have at work, a volunteer! I said this because I believe volunteers' are at the heart of an organization and from their support we build everything else. However... I also know how easy it is to hear people talk about volunteers' like they are in endless supply or like we don't have to work to find the perfect match of skills, interest and time...so my parting gift to my colleagues was to not only encourage them to get to know one another and what they each bring to the table, but in a sneaky way to remind them how special our unpaid team are... they are the heart of what we do, they have taught me so much, and they are what kept me inspired in my role for almost a decade and a half.
That one more thing I shared was that I wasn't really leaving the organization, but rather I was getting a promotion, to one of the most valued roles we have at work, a volunteer! I said this because I believe volunteers' are at the heart of an organization and from their support we build everything else. However... I also know how easy it is to hear people talk about volunteers' like they are in endless supply or like we don't have to work to find the perfect match of skills, interest and time...so my parting gift to my colleagues was to not only encourage them to get to know one another and what they each bring to the table, but in a sneaky way to remind them how special our unpaid team are... they are the heart of what we do, they have taught me so much, and they are what kept me inspired in my role for almost a decade and a half.