As part of Volunteers’ Week, Adrian Williams reflects on the impact of volunteering within the charity sector and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. From delivering fundraising training across the South West to supporting regional networking and professional development opportunities, Adrian shares how volunteering has strengthened his fundraising career, expanded sector knowledge, and helped connect fundraisers through shared learning and collaboration.
I was bitten by the fundraising bug at university where I was secretary of Swansea RAG. I knew then that I wanted a career in fundraising and my first paid role after university was in ActionAid's national telephone team.
Fundraising is the visible face of a charity - you are the link between people who want to see a change made and those who can make that change happen. Being a fundraiser is a privilege and a responsibility and something that thrills me every day.
I joined the Chartered Institute to enhance my professional development, to learn more about the different types of fundraising, and meet other fundraisers to share experiences and learn from them.
"Membership of the Chartered Institute has helped me meet some amazing people, learn so much and share my passion for what we do."
By understanding the challenges that face a charity's fundraising activities, my charity can be better prepared to meet those challenges, maximise our effectiveness and be in a better place to support our beneficiaries.
I have been a member of the South West regional group for many years and have delivered the Introduction to Fundraising course across the region. I particularly enjoy our conferences and the experience of delivering the Introduction to Fundraising course.
Bringing opportunities to network, develop and learn to colleagues here in the South West — opportunities that otherwise might not be accessible or affordable — is what I get most from the experience.
Quite apart from strengthening my CV and making me more attractive to potential employers, volunteering helps me to understand challenges that face the sector and I can then translate this to our own fundraising strategies.
The learning I completed with CIOF gave me techniques and strategies that I was able to employ in my fundraising and to also share in the Introduction to Fundraising programme. It certainly helped as I developed my community fundraising career, and I came away feeling better equipped. You learn so much, not just from the course content but from your fellow learners.
As the grass roots of fundraising, we need to influence the direction of policy and public interaction with the sector. I have seen over many years the way that the sector is perceived impacts on our ability to fundraise effectively. Through involvement in policy and advocacy work, I have seen a change in the way that the sector is regulated and a restoration in public trust and confidence.
By joining the Chartered Institute, you realise that you are not the only person facing the same challenges and it will help you to make sense of what we do.
