April 18 marks the start of National Volunteer Week in the U.S. and Canada. As a volunteer-supported, nonprofit association, AME knows well the importance of volunteerism. We count on our volunteers to help us identify meaningful programming for our conference, summits and other events. Volunteers lead our AME Consortia and AME Champions Club groups. In fact, a committee of volunteers and staff are collaborating right now to ensure that we offer member benefits that ensure our community will continue to share, learn and grow in the future.
We are thankful for our wonderful volunteers. They have made AME what it is today. This past year has been challenging for the association and our members, but because of AME’s volunteers we have been able to continually provide valuable content and events that have helped our members weather this storm.
We would love for you to become an AME volunteer, but we also know how important your service can be to your local communities. Your lean, continuous improvement knowledge can have a tremendous impact at local organizations that serve those in need. Your local food pantry might need 5S-ing. There may be opportunities to help with flow at a vaccine site. Local business educators may allow you to share information with their classes about your job and how it helps your organization succeed. Or perhaps you might start planning now to open your factory doors to the next generation during a Manufacturing Day tour.
Think about your passions and how you might be able to share your love of something in a way that is both meaningful to you and to those affected by your time and talents. For example, if you love baseball and are good with numbers and analytics, perhaps your local Little League team needs an assistant coach to help with scorebooks and statistics.
Of course, your passions likely align with AME’s mission, and we’re always looking for new volunteers who are willing to help our community prosper. Opportunities abound if you’d like to help other lean practitioners share, learn and grow. Start by dipping your toe in the water or feel free to dive in right away – volunteering with AME can take as much or as little time as you are able to commit. You can learn more about AME volunteer opportunities on our website. While you’re there, please fill out a volunteer form or feel free to reach out directly to Ellen Sieminski, our VP of volunteer support.
Wherever you volunteer, AME is grateful to represent a community that knows the value of supporting others. As we head into National Volunteer Week, please continue to stay safe and keep looking out for one another.
P.S. We’re less than two weeks away from the AME Operational Excellence Summit, April 27-29! Don’t miss your chance to hear from six past AME Excellence Award recipients including AGCO, Goodyear, HM Electronics, Littelfuse, New Holland/CNH and O.C. Tanner. Plus the incredibly low registration price includes two tours (Crown Equipment and M2 Global), roundtable discussions, and more. Register now!
