Hawai'i Craftsmen has one staff person who is paid to work 25 hours a week and one contracted person who works about 10 hours a week. The volunteer board of directors contributes, not only in the areas of policy setting and governance, but planning and implementing programs and fundraising activities. We could not do the work we do without their commitment. We need more help.

The board members and committee chairs take the leadership role in planning our activities, however, they need committee members who can meet regularly and help them with the details of their projects. Administratively we also need assistance. We have included a check list with volunteer activities listed. Let us know what you would like to do and we'll make it happen.

 Volunteering is a wonderful way to support organizations and programs that are of value to you. Personal and professional benefits gained can include:

• Self-satisfaction, ego, self-esteem, thus developing a strong sense of personal mission, become more concerned about the future of society thus becoming more visionary, helping others, making a contribution.
• Satisfaction of helping to provide needed service/programs thus gaining increased personal power, education.
• Increase written and verbal communication skills, strategic planning.
• Increased network of friends and business contacts, committee and board experience, ability to work efficiently in a team driven environment, motivating individuals.
• Opportunities to work with leaders and others in the community thus gaining insight on management techniques as well as opening up key networks.
• Increased willingness to take risk thus moving you to the forefront of your community, better understanding of social patterns, culturally and politically ability to work with different constituencies thus increasing awareness of yourself and your work in the broader community.
• A better understanding of the art of group dynamics, team building, group decision making, better understanding of ethical and moral standards.

PR and Promotions activities

• Organize community displays of members work (i.e. Windward Mall, Borders Books).
• Update the website.
• Data research and entry into computer with our promotions mailing list set up.
• Maintenance and periodic activation of fax and email broadcasting system.
• Follow up press releases with phone calls and personal meetings.
  
• Hospitality via a Hospitality Chairperson- someone to coordinate the following 4 activities:
  1) help with receptions (slide lecture, or opening receptions)
  2) host a visiting artist in your home
  3) spend the morning, afternoon, evening with a guest artist
  4) provide leis for our guests, award winners and other VIPs at our events

Program Committees

Winter/Spring 2007 - Aha Hana Lima 2007 committee member
Summer/Fall 2007 - Annual Statewide Juried Exhibition 2007 Now through Summer

Now through Fall 2006 - Committee planning 40th anniversary year for Hawaii Craftsmen

Office Administrative data update and entry- data base and historical info about HC research and inputting information for HC newsletter slide and photo files- label and organize for easy access mailings- stuffing envelops, labeling, sorting, etc. writing thank you letters computer research for opportunities and ideas.

Aside from the obvious benefit of helping Hawaii Craftsmen to stay viable and valuable for our membership and the community as a whole there are several other great reasons for donating your most precious commodity---your time. These are some personal benefits ( in Pigeons book he calls it return value) that can contribute to your personal growth or the growth of your career, be it in the arts or in other areas.