The power of everyone pitching in: Why volunteerism keeps our club thriving
Every strong Amateur Radio club like the OARC has an amazing heartbeat — and ours is powered by our volunteers. You know them. They’re the people who show up early, stay late, set the chairs out, carry equipment, share a skill, help others, or simply offer a smile to newcomers when it’s needed most. Volunteerism isn’t just a nice-to-have feature of club life; it keeps everything running smoothly. And as we reach our AGM and continue with another full year of interesting and fun events, activities, and shared experiences, it’s worth reflecting on why stepping forward matters more than ever.
Why volunteerism is essential
Clubs don’t run on vapour or good will. Every meeting, event, activity, and improvement — big or small — only happens because someone kindly chose to give their time for the benefit of the club and their fellow members. When members volunteer, they help distribute the workload, help prevent burnout among long-time helpers, and ensure that the club remains vibrant, sustainable and growing. A strong volunteer base also allows us to dream bigger: add more programming, more technology, more opportunities, more support to the community, and more ways to bring local amateurs together.
The surprise benefits you might not expect
Volunteering isn’t just about giving; it’s equally about receiving. Members who get involved and graciously pitch in and take on a bit of workload, perhaps something of particular interest to them, often discover unexpected rewards:
- Skills-building — Whether it’s organizing an event, managing communications, or helping with logistics, volunteering offers hands-on experience that builds confidence and capability. Put it on your resume – much of those skills are transferable.
- Personal growth and self-fulfillment — Stepping into a new role can stretch comfort zones in the best possible way. Many volunteers find themselves developing leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills without even realizing it.
- A sense of purpose — There’s something deeply satisfying about contributing to a community such as your Amateur Radio club that you care a lot about. Volunteers often comment that they feel more connected and invested in the club’s success.
The social side: Where friendships begin
One of the most underrated aspects of Amateur Radio volunteering is the social connection that it creates. Working side-by-side with your amateur colleagues naturally builds camaraderie. You meet interesting people that you might not otherwise cross paths with, tackle challenges together, share laughs and form lasting friendships that last far beyond the task at hand. I personally have amateur friends that I have been volunteering with for over 30 years. For new members especially, volunteering is one of the best ways to “feel at home” and not just be a bystander.
For those who haven’t volunteered yet
If you’ve never volunteered in an amateur club before, don’t worry, you’re not alone — but you’re also not behind. Every seasoned volunteer had a “first time,” and most will tell you they wish they’d started sooner from all the enjoyment that it brought. You don’t need special skills, a big-time commitment, or prior experience. You simply need a willingness to pitch in. Don’t worry – others on the team will help and guide you.
Start small. Try an easy task like helping put the chairs out, making the coffee, or being an event photographer. Shadow someone. Offer to assist at a particular important event like Field Day or Hamfest. Give a presentation on something that you are passionate about. You might be surprised by how enjoyable it is — and how much your contribution really matters.
A stronger club starts with you
Did you know that our club has grown from ~90 members to ~200 in just the last year? Our volunteers had a huge part to play in this.
Our club is at its very best when every member plays a part, no matter how small. Many hands make light work. Whether you have an hour to spare, an afternoon, or several hours every week, your involvement can have a big impact. Volunteerism strengthens our amateur community, enriches our experiences, and ensures that the club continues to grow in ways that we can all be exceedingly proud of.
Current Roles
Recently, members have come forth to volunteer as VP, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Coordinator, meeting setup assistance, AV assistants and more. Wow!
Here are some current roles and activities where we need more volunteer help. More information can be found at https://oarc.net/volunteer/
- Equipment Coordinator and assistants – Help us get a handle on all the equipment that the club owns, from repeater gear to fox-hunting equipment, which is scattered all over the region. Help build go-kits, provide technical support to members, and help with donated equipment intake, bench testing, and refurbishment in support of our new young amateurs
- Activities Coordinator and assistants – Use your organization skills and imagination to coordinate our many activities
- Hamfest Co-lead and assistants – Help with Hamfest vendor-and-exhibitor relations, venue setup and logistics, and volunteer coordination.
- Activities Photographers – Put your camera chops to use or learn how!
- Club Reporters – Put your love of writing to use and write short event summaries
- Technical Workshop Leaders – Share your technical skills to help new amateurs
- Food Assistants – Put your culinary interest to use at club meetings and events
- Other – Is there an area not mentioned where you would like to contribute?
If you’ve been waiting for the ‘right’ moment to get involved, please consider this your official invitation. We’d love to have you join the OARC team! Click here to Contact Us and select “Volunteer” from the category drop-down menu.
Let’s see if we can collectively fill the current gaps so that we can continue to have a very productive, prosperous and fun-filled year ahead.
‘73
Craig Delmage, VE3OP
(Proudly OARC volunteer) Vice President
Last Updated on 2026-04-30 by Eve