Elevate your role at Johns Hopkins through these basic steps
The Johns Hopkins University and Medicine network of leadership volunteers consists of more than 2,000 (and counting) extremely talented and dedicated individuals, ranging from members of boards of trustees, to divisional and departmental advisory boards and council representatives, to alumni leaders, and more. Although the specific needs and purpose of each board or council may vary based on the school, division, or community it supports — and acknowledging individuals who serve in multiple volunteer capacities — there are some basic steps volunteers can take to get the most out of their roles while still supporting the mission and priorities of Johns Hopkins.
- Learn more. Gain knowledge about the area of Johns Hopkins your advisory board or council supports; then, take an interest to learn more about Johns Hopkins overall. Familiarize yourself with general information about University and Medicine. Follow relevant social media accounts, such as Johns Hopkins Giving and ones related to the area of Hopkins your role supports. Participate in virtual events and meetings. There is always something more to learn, and the more you know, the more effective a volunteer you will be!
- It’s okay to say no. Conduct a self-check before saying “yes” to a new opportunity. Understand the minimum expectations for fulfilling a new role and ask yourself if you can fully commit to seeing the commitment through. Do you have the time? The capacity? The interest?
- Engage meaningfully. Participate in volunteer activities with enthusiasm and professionalism. As a volunteer, you have a choice about the level to which you engage with Johns Hopkins. We realize motivations and capacities for volunteering are a very personal matter. Contributing in ways that are most meaningful to you will ultimately make the most impact on Johns Hopkins. If you’d like to get more involved with a particular area, ask! We want to ensure we are making the most use of your time, energy, and talents.
- Be a constant champion. Take pride and be an advocate for Johns Hopkins. Help spread the word about the positive impact Johns Hopkins makes in our communities and across the world.
- Provide counsel. Use your role as a volunteer to assist Johns Hopkins leaders in realizing their goals and vision for their respective school, department, center, or other initiative. You represent the audience that Johns Hopkins serves, and your perspectives and advice are meaningful and valuable assets in helping us achieve our goals.
- Give back. Provide philanthropic support to the area affiliated with your volunteer role. Our goal is to achieve 100% annual giving participation from those serving on volunteer boards and councils. Consider annual gift contributions; a stretch gift at a financial level of personal significance; support for campaign goals and initiatives (when in a fundraising campaign); and/or a planned gift.
As volunteer leaders — through supporting Johns Hopkins through philanthropy, providing professional insight and expertise, and serving as compelling advocates — you are helping to extend and strengthen our philanthropic reach through your networks. Your participation and partnership are essential to the current and future successes of our institution. We are thankful for your service and look forward to growing and succeeding together.
If you have any questions or would like more details on how to get involved, visit our webpage or email us at volunteerleadership@jhu.edu.
