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MAY 2023
My first committee that I became involved with, as a part of ASID was an event called the White Box Challenge. Little did I know at the time, that the one simple act of volunteering my time, would change my entire life and the trajectory of my career.
In 2013, I was struggling to get my business off the ground, living project to project, and with a little additional time on my hands I soon became the Chair of the White Box Challenge. I was coordinating the participating designers, sponsors, the on-site activities, and the marketing with our media partner. It was a whirlwind event, and one I found immense enjoyment in participating in.
I received a thank you from the Board and was satisfied on a job well done. From that small Chapter event, I was offered a project that was to be featured in Dwell Magazine, as well as a part of Dwell on Design. It was my first high profile project, and the first time I would be published in a national magazine. I have always felt that I owed my entire career to ASID. If it hadn’t been for my participation in that initial event, I would have never had the opportunities I have had or made the connections that have shaped my business.
I was reminded of those early days of both my career and time with ASID during a recent lunch gathering with a group of our past Presidents, and I started thinking about the legacy of service. It is not something that we often talk about as a society, but it is a tenant of our community.
As we started to review our Chapter’s history, one thing was consistent. We need to continually engage our members to volunteer for our open committee and chair positions. Through the fostering of our member's talents, we are empowered to build a strong leadership team in conjunction with an ample support team.
While service to the Chapter is not a new concept, I feel as though we don’t always highlight the benefits and the legacy of service. Our Chapter is dedicated in creating a sustainable design community that cultivates leadership and fosters respect for all our members. When you donate your time to a committee within our Chapter, you are helping to lay the foundation of our members’ experience.
Outside of the benefits the Chapter receives from your efforts, there are a myriad of benefits each member receives from their participation. From making invaluable connections, developing strong friendships, and honing your leadership skills, there is an indelible sense of purpose, and the feeling that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves.
Through the design community and our ASID organization we are all connected, yet are you receiving the benefits from those connections? Would you like to expand outside of the community here in Arizona, and connect with designers across the country? While participating in our local Chapter is a wonderful starting point, you simply never know to what heights you will rise to through one simple act of service.
If you are looking for current opportunities for this year or next, please contact us at [email protected].
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