Leading with Style

Volunteer Spotlight: Ms. Melva Tate

Melva Tate, PHR, is a colorful human resource & career development professional based in Birmingham. She serves as the owner of Tate & Associates, LLC, and is also an activist, engaging speaker, serial entrepreneur, and networking “Diva” (she said it, not us!). What brought Melva to PUI was her work with the Birmingham Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM). Melva believes in “building relationships where relationships matter” and she truly brings this mantra to life; living, working & serving by these words.

We are excited to share Melva and her insights as a volunteer leader. Melva gives an honest perspective (sometimes you just have to say “no”) on the topic of volunteer leadership with her Volunteer Spotlight interview.

*****

Projects Unlimited, Inc (PUI): What has been the most fulfilling part of your volunteer service?
Melva Tate (MT): Relationships hands down!!

I’ve developed some of the most rewarding relationships through my interaction with other volunteers. Several of these relationships have evolved from board member, to close associate, then to a deep friendship. Volunteer service has also provided diverse platforms for me to share my time, talents and treasures in areas where I’m truly passionate.

PUI: How essential has volunteer leadership been for your own professional development?
MT: Volunteer leadership has been hugely beneficial to my professional development. I’ve served in volunteer roles that were out of my “comfort zone” and gained valuable knowledge in areas that I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience.

Additionally, as a small business owner, volunteer service has opened several doors to help establish and grow my consulting firm and has unexpectedly been a huge return on my investment. Associate volunteers have served as my unofficial PR Team and will readily share my contact information with persons looking for a HR / career consultant. My willingness to “pay it forward” has reaped enormous benefits that I will never be able to repay. I’m forever grateful.

PUI: What advice would you give to someone that will be serving on their first board of directors in the next few months?
MT: I have four helpful tips to share with a newly tapped board member:

1. Have a full understanding of the organization’s mission.
2. Ask for, review and commit to a set of board expectations.  That’s the what, when, how and why.  What you’re asked to do should not be a surprise after you have said “I do”.
3. Talk to a former or current board member before your first meeting.  Personal insight beats anything written on paper.
4. Make sure the commitment will “fit” on your plate.  Be proactive vs. reactive in managing your volunteer time.  Otherwise your volunteer commitment will be a burden versus a blessing.

PUI: What will you do differently in your next volunteer leadership role?
MT: What next role? I’m done with volunteer leadership!! Just kidding!!! My ultimate career goal is to be a professional volunteer / board member. But seriously, I would follow the four tips shared above, especially having a very candid and open discussion with a former or current board member. I would also say “no” more often than “yes”. I encourage those who are asked to serve to feel empowered to say “no” if the timing or organization is not a fit. No may not mean never; just not right now. Remember – just say no!! (if that’s what you really feel).

PUI: Considering the current employment & economic landscape, how are you and your firm assisting those who are either looking for a job or for the perfect employee?
MT: My firm, Tate & Associates, is the parent company for two unique divisions: Strategic HR Partnerships and Strategic Career Advantage. We’re all about developing and connecting organizations with great talent and ensuring that talent has the skills and confidence to land and succeed in their job. This is especially critical with the state of our economy, and the long journey ahead to get those unemployed or under employed back to work. We make all areas of workforce work successfully for both corporations and individuals.

Career Connections Helps Job Seekers Make Meaningful Connections

Career Connections, previously the Career Assistance Network for Birmingham (CAN-B), is working hard to help area professionals connect with resources, professional expertise, and other motivated job seekers to share stories and helpful tips during tough job transitions.

Gayle Lantz of WorkMatters, Gerriann Fagan of The Prism Group, and Lou Thibodaux, deacon in the Episcopal Church of Birmingham, founded CAN-B two years ago as a website. The initial goal of CAN-B was to bring together information from local church career ministries and monthly meetings for job seekers to find in one centralized website, and for job seekers to use this as a resource for networking opportunities and advice from job transition experts.

The Career Connections website has grown to a blog format with information on monthly meetings, other opportunities for networking, resources, and information on speakers for their monthly meetings. Their monthly meetings are not only opportunities for motivated job seekers to network and learn new tips from experts, though. These meetings have turned into a time for people to share their stories and experiences as they work through the sometimes difficult roller coaster that is a job transition. This was never a defined goal for Career Connections, but the leaders are happy to see that their work is offering support to others.

Career Connections is not the only group that has been formed to support the long-term unemployed during their job transitions; Career Builders, Career Assistance LLC, and others are just some that were highlighted in this article written by Roy L. Williams from The Birmingham News.

Career Connections meetings are held on the 4th Monday of every month. Join them this month at their meeting to hear from Glenn Phillips of Forte` Incorporated.

SRMSDC Business Connections 2011

August 16, 17, and 18 will bring a unique opportunity to our business community.

The South Region Minority Supplier Development Council (SRMSDC) is hosting their 2011 Business Connections Conference at the Sheraton Birmingham. This 3 day conference will focus on the changing dynamics of our global, national, and local economies, and present ideas for strategies to position your company for success.

We think this is a good way to spend a few days in August. Register here.

Here’s the schedule of events at a glance:

Tuesday, August 16

Golf Classic
Highland Golf Course
Registration & lunch – 11:00a
Shotgun start (that’s fun) – Noon

Opening Reception
The Birmingham Museum of Art – 6:30p

Wednesday, August 17

Opening plenary session – 8:00a
Education & development workshops – 9:30a
MBE Minority Business Enterprise showcase luncheon – Noon
Tradeshow – 1:30p
Dynamic MatchMaking – 3:30p
Crystal Awards dinner – 6:00p
*all activities will be held in the BJCC South Meeting Hall

Thursday, August 18

Corporate and Supplier Diversity Town Hall Meeting – 8:00a
featuring Cheryl Pearson-McNeil, SVP, Public Affairs and Government Relations, The Nielsen Company

Ms. Pearson-McNeil holds responsibility for widening the scope of The Nielsen Company’s government, community, and corporate social responsibility programs, as well as the company’s philanthropic commitment to multicultural communities. In this role Ms. Pearson-McNeil works to expand public outreach efforts across the company’s Media, Business Media and Consumer businesses. She leads the company’s diversity advertising strategy and co-manages two of its three external advisory councils.

For those of you coming from out-of-town, reserve your room at the Sheraton Birmingham by calling (205) 324-2011, and make sure that you mention the “2011 Business Connections Conference” to confirm your discounted rate! Or, reserve online here.

Register Here