VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Andrea expertly manages the day-to-day operations of one of AIIP’s most valued benefits, AIIP-L, our listserv. She is always incredibly professional, responsive and willing to troubleshoot whenever required. Andrea has been quietly serving AIIP for many years and her generosity is critical to the success of both the listserv and to AIIP overall.

I joined AIIP in 2008, not as a librarian or researcher, but as a communications professional. The synergy was great and the support I received as I continued to build my business was excellent. I began volunteering almost immediately and have served on a number of committees over the years. Volunteering is my way to give back to AIIP in gratitude for all I've gotten. I highly recommend volunteering for AIIP--volunteers are the lifeblood of our association.

—Andrea Carrero, Word Technologies, Inc 

Connie, Margaret, and Denise thoughtfully worked to refresh the public facing webpages for SEO optimization as well as reworked the members only navigation and organization. This work over the past 6-8 months has given the website a must needed detailed review and helped to establish key data that any new webpage needs to include going forward.

I volunteer to enhance my skillset and to learn new skills.  Volunteering is also a good way to get to know AIIP members.

—Denise Claridy, Evandy InfoSolutions  

Volunteering keeps me connected with other members, and it keeps me learning. I’ve enjoyed making AIIP’s content more discoverable.

—Connie Clem, Clem Information Strategies  

I volunteer to give back to the community that has given me so much over my career. The field has been good to me and I continue to see the importance of our work as we evolve into the next phase.

—Margaret Harrison, Harrison Data and Information Services  

Since joining AIIP three years ago, Rhonda has generously shared her time and talent presenting the Recipes for Business Progress webinar series, giving AIIP members the opportunity to learn from her and each other. Rhonda has also presented at the annual conference and is an active supporter of the association.

I believe that membership in a professional organization, as with most things in life, brings a responsibility, both to give and to receive. In addition to having the benefits of membership by paying dues, there is such a greater level of satisfaction when we make the contribution that only we can make with our background and experience to advance the causes of the organization. One vital aspect is acting as a volunteer to provide the insights and skills unique to us as a way to interact with others and receive so much more in return.

—Rhonda Bowen, bells 

As a volunteer on the Inquirers Committee, Amelia handles inquiries from the public that require more involved responses – her unique gift to all of us in AIIP and to others in the info pro world. Even as an emeritus member with many AIIP volunteer positions behind her, Amelia continues to share her knowledge and insight with generosity, thoughtfulness, and thoroughness. And not only on the Inquirers Committee. We’ve all seen it on AIIP-L and on other lists she participates in. Her responses are considered “must-read” by many of us. It’s that consistent willingness to share her expertise in such a generous spirit and her willingness to continue to put that sharing in the service of AIIP by volunteering on the Inquirers Committee that merits this recognition.

As a long-time AIIP member, I have thoroughly enjoyed volunteering over the years and found it extremely rewarding. Although I am now retired, AIIP volunteer work in my earlier years, importantly, led to not only long-term friendships but referrals from other members for my then growing research business. I still love contributing to AIIP-L whenever a question arises that I think I can help with or guide in terms of sources or research methods. My long-term volunteer work on the AIIP Inquirers Committee has given me the opportunity to respond to prospective new members’ questions about AIIP and the field itself.

—Amelia Kassel, Retired

Since 2019, Marcy has kept the AIIP Blog updated with content that helped with AIIP’s outreach efforts as well as sharing information between AIIP members. Her innovation on new series and standardizing of blog procedures has crucial to maintaining the AIIP Blog.

—Janel Kinlaw, AIIP Director of Outreach

Volunteering is is how I give back to an organization from which I've gained so much. It's also one of the best ways to connect with and get to know fellow independent information professionals.

—Marcy Phelps, Marcy Phelps & Associates

As Chair of the #AIIP22 Program Committee, Rachel designed and delivered an exceptional and engaging conference program. 

—June Boyle, AIIP22 Conference Chair

I believe in being of service to the community and helping wherever I can, and that usually proves to be of mutual benefit. Volunteering at AIIP lets me give back, pushes me out of my comfort zone, and allows me to exercise new skills. What keeps me coming back is, as a newbie to my independent info-pro endeavors, knowing other members, who are an invaluable resource for getting feedback and gathering input to help make decisions.

—Rachel Yang, Poplar Consulting