At the heart of APCO is our membership. Our association is member-driven and wants and needs the involvement of its members to accomplish its tasks. Volunteering your time to help APCO continue its mission is a rewarding part of not only serving APCO but serving each other and this amazing profession.

One of the best ways to do so is serving on one of the many APCO committees. A few limit membership, but the vast majority are open to any APCO member. Sign-up runs Feb. 1 through April 1. Applications are vetted by committee chairs and those selected will serve July 1 through June 30.

Within each committee there are members that step up to lead their committee. These positions are the chair and vice chair. Serving as a chair and vice chair of a committee is a great way to learn the inner workings of that committee, as well as APCO itself. Leadership within a committee is not a commitment to be taken lightly, but should you choose to the benefits are enormous. You have the satisfaction of helping move APCO forward through your leadership. Each committee has an important mission in helping APCO to work on its long-range strategic plan. Leading a committee helps to steer it forward to meet not only the committee’s goals but those of APCO as well.

I had the opportunity to reach out to several committee chairs and asked them questions about their involvement within APCO committees. I’d like to share some of their responses to the questions. Included are:
• Charles M. Vitale, RPL, ENP, CPE – chair of the Professional Development Events Committee
• Sarah Hill, RPL – chair of the Awards Committee
• James Oehmke – vice-chair of the Awards Committee
• Nonie McCandless – group Leader chair that oversees the committees
• Maureen A. Will, RPL, CPE – chair of the Bylaws Committee
• Roger Martin – former chair of the Member and Chapter Services Committee
• Brian LaMonica, RPL – chair of the Member and Chapter Services Committee
• Dawn Harris, RPL – chair of the Historical Committee
• Jonathan Jones, CPE, RPL – chair of the Young Professional Committee
• Jennifer Rees, CPE, ENP – chair of the Management Committee and
• Me, Cheryl Konarski – former chair of the Editorial Committee.

What is the main reason you took on the role of committee leadership?
Vitale said, “I was asked by the former chair and vice chair. Holly was timing out from the committee and suggested me as vice chair. I talked with both her and her vice-chair, Bob Bloom about it and what it would entail. For me it was an awesome chance to see if could do it. I had just finished CPE and had already completed RPL. I was able to use the practices from both courses and put them in to play with PDEC.”

For Hill, it felt like the next step. “I loved reading the nominations and helping to select the APCO award winners but also love to organize and lead and taking on the role of vice chair then chair fit. I still get to review nominations and see how many wonderful peers we have in the industry as a whole.”
Oehmke was looking for a challenge and experience, so he responded. McCandless wanted to develop her leadership skills.
Many, such as LaMonica, Harris, Rees and Jones, wanted to become more involved in APCO. For Will, “I enjoy the committees I’ve served on, and I’m not afraid to step out of my comfort zone.”

Martin was asked to fill the role. “I have many skills I’ve used through a long history of volunteerism, which I know are of value in committee leadership. The positions I’ve been in opened up unexpectedly and I was asked. I knew I could make a difference.”
Others, such as myself, wanted to make an impact on our profession and industry and saw this opportunity by taking a leadership role through committee involvement.
What’s the most rewarding part of leading a committee?

Vitale found that it’s two-fold. “The first is change! Bob and I worked came up with an idea to streamline the draft session grid and it has evolved over time. Now it’s down to a science. What previously took weeks can now be done in a day. The second is to build members from the committee. We have such a diverse group from all over the country from all levels of the ECC who have a passion and is amazing to see when they come together.”

For Hill, “It’s getting to know others on a more personal level and getting to collaborate to accomplish the committee’s goals.”
Oehmke enjoys “the partnership and camaraderie between everyone. This is a great group and we work together like a well-oiled machine.”
Will appreciates mentoring the other committee members and watching them grown to where they will take over the committee; at the same time she’s being mentored! Martin and Harris enjoy meeting the people, learning from them, sharing ideas and directions with members and APCO staff.

LaMonica and Jones enjoy seeing the members work together to achieve a goal and increase their involvement. “This participation has catapulted their careers,” stated Jones.
One committee most are not familiar with is the Management Committee, which Rees chaired. “Working with the new Executive Council representatives and helping them in their role” was her most rewarding experience.

For me, when the magazine goes to print and on-line, there is a satisfaction in seeing the articles that you’ve worked on or solicited and knowing what went into making that happen. Watching those that have never written an article before becoming a first-time published author is awesome!

What is the legacy you hope to leave behind?
For all of us, the legacy is the work we do, and laying the groundwork for future committee leaders. “My legacy will fade; it’s not about me,” Vitale said. “It’s about the work we do. The leadership of the committee just does the guidance. It’s the committee members that do the real work. My legacy will see the next generation take over the committee, continuing to innovate and picking great sessions year after year.”

For Hill and Oehmke it’s about volunteering and the feeling of serving APCO and the committee members, as well as our membership. McCandless appreciated being able to advance and develop the leadership skills of others in the association and open opportunities for those looking for leadership opportunities.
Will said “that we all have something to offer and that I helped inspire someone else to take the reins and continue to make our Association grow and stay strong.”
Martin hopes to make it easier for the next person. “Both in my tenure as chair and as a group leader I hope I have helped to improve the processes and make the volunteer positions just a little more efficient – effective – maybe even fun!”

Harris and Jones want to be a resource to others and leave a clear historical record for others to follow and call on.

Rees hopes the role of the Executive Council Representative is clear to all through their committee guidance. “I hope that I’ve inspired others to reach out, try new things (like writing an article) and not be afraid. Committee involvement is great – taking it to the next level is even more rewarding and satisfying.”

If you wanted to encourage a committee member to take on a leadership role, what would you tell them?
We all agree – it’s a lot of work, but so rewarding.

“Do it!” says Vitale. “It’s not as scary it looks. I’m a procrastinator and I was able to do it – so can you! My biggest piece of advice is to pick a vice-chair that is your opposite. If you aren’t good with time management, find someone who is; and someone who isn’t afraid to stand up to you!”

“Everyone from the APCO staff to the group leaders are there to help; you are never alone,” said Hill. “Leading the Awards Committee has been challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding, especially when you get to see those nominated by the committee walk across the stage at the Annual APCO conference and know that you had a hand in making it happen.”

Martin shares a good piece of advice. “Look at your life and make sure you have the time and energy to share. No matter what you plan it will take more, but it is rewarding and a great way to develop and improve yourself. Don’t be afraid to step up – the committee is a team. Get in there and learn what it does and help to strengthen the focus. Don’t just sit through meetings; engage and take on projects. If you want to lead a committee you must show the ability to lead from the beginning. Then when asked you can confidently say – yes!”

“Jump straight in!” says Jones. “Don’t wait for someone to take your hand and lead you to something. Jump in. Get involved. Ask questions. Find out as much about APCO as you can. Take advantage of the webinars provided. As a member, ask the committee chair how you can help them.”

I found, as a committee chair, that I looked for committee members who are focused on the mission and doing the work that needs to be done and approach them, planting the seeds of future leadership possibilities. Not everyone sees themselves in that role. Sometimes they need a gentle (or not so gentle) push to see the possibilities.

Why do you feel committee involvement and serving in a leadership role is important?
We all agree that committee involvement and leadership is an amazing experience.
“It’s had its fair share of headaches,” stated Vitale. “It gives you a chance to practice the art of management and leadership. You have plenty of people by your side to help the work get done. It’s a way to stretch your limits and give back to the industry as a whole.”

Hill shared this important perspective: “Without committee involvement and leadership roles, APCO would not be able to function at the professional level that it does. There are so many opportunities to participate and serve within APCO. APCO fights for the public safety communication industry as a whole and works tirelessly to ensure everyone is represented across the globe. Why wouldn’t I contribute a small amount of my time to support their mission?”

“Don’t be afraid; it’s the committee that makes us look good when together we work for the common goals of what we are doing,” Will said. “Every person on the committee has something to offer; we just have to listen.”

“I truthfully feel involvement is the key to … our productivity and happiness” stated Martin. “Working on something bigger than ourselves, helping to improve standards or to establish ways of helping our peers. Leadership is the icing on the cake really, giving you a chance to encourage others, challenge people to reach beyond what they think they are capable of, establish those lasting friendships.

According to Jones, “Committee leadership really gets you plugged in to the inner workings of APCO. The experience you get from working with other dedicated members of APCO is so rewarding, it gives you leadership experience that you can use in your daily roles at your jobs.”

“As a member-driven organization” said Rees, “having the involvement of the members is crucial. I think we have a lot of leaders amongst us that just need to take that first step. Having them know what they can expect will help them to understand not only the need but the sense of accomplishment from having been a part of the committee.”

For me, it is a great way to give back to an association and profession that has given me so much. Having the opportunity to work with the amazing people that make up our committees is wonderful, and the friendships you make and networking that you build is so important.

Please take the opportunity to jump in with both feet and take on the challenge. You will grow because of it, you’ll have a chance to serve your fellow association members and have an impact on this amazing profession. It really is a great way to serve, as we’ve all attested. You’ll be a better and stronger APCO member because of it.

Cheryl Konarski, CPE, RPL, CMCP, is a 30-plus year veteran of public safety. She serves as the communications manager for the Joplin Emergency Communications Center. She is a member of the Professional Development Events Committee, Awards Committee, Agency Training Program Committee and is former chair of the APCO Editorial Committee. She serves as the treasurer for Missouri APCO.