By Ashley Reyes
Volunteering can be a fulfilling and enriching experience for any professional looking to give back to the industry and the causes they care most about. For SEMA volunteers, it's a way to get more involved in the aftermarket at large, contribute to the growth of their trade and develop new friendships and lasting memories in the process.
The nine communities in the SEMA Council and Network program have open volunteer positions within their subcommittees and task forces. Subcommittee and task force volunteers play a valuable role in helping council and network leadership create and execute meaningful programs that help their members succeed.
Many positions require minimal time (as little as one hour per month) and can work around the volunteers' schedules.
"The professional relationships and friendships I have developed in the 10 years of volunteering with SEMA are some of the most important in my career," reflected Amy Fitzgerald of Cool Hand Customs. "I am more confident, more knowledgeable and more comfortable with my industry and my peers."
Opportunities are available in areas such as communications, events, education, membership, SEMA Show and council- and network-specific programs--allowing individuals to align their contributions with what they are most passionate about.
"Through the SEMA Businesswomen's Network, I have had the opportunity to work on different subtasks, such as communications and events, to help expand my skill set and allow me more experience than what my usual job offers," said Aliceje Keyburn of Yamaha Motor Corporation. "I've also attended different virtual events, live chats and leadership conferences that have been very beneficial in giving me practical tips and advice on how to help grow and advance my career, and also in dealing with certain situations within the workplace."
Doug Frymer of the Law Office of Douglas A. Frymer, added, "Being in SEMA since I was 26 years old and in the Young Executives Network (now the Future Leaders Network) as part of a member company gave me a whole second crew of folks I've grown up within the industry. This catapulted me into what is now the Wheel & Tire Council, and involvement in the Automotive Restoration Market Organization, Hot Rod Industry Alliance and Import Performance Committee/Sport Performance Council (now the Emerging Trends & Technology Network). This gave me a whole second family, a network and a set of advice, opinions, mentors and camaraderie apart from the legal world."
To learn about the nine SEMA Councils & Networks and the available subcommittee/task force volunteer opportunities, visit sema.org/volunteer.