Editor’s Note: This piece by Michelle DeClerck is the first in a seven-part series focusing on the importance of community involvement and volunteering for women to grow both professionally and personally. Part two will publish next week, and subsequent installments will post throughout the remainder of this year. DeClerck is a business owner and involved with both the Iowa Women’s Leadership Connection and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Iowa. She enjoys speaking on female leadership, business ownership and mentoring, and is addicted to self-help business books.

In the process of writing this series of articles, “Leadership through community involvement pays off,” I was re-energized on a cold and dreary day to work on a volunteer project I committed to finalizing this month. The satisfaction kicked in as I enjoyed crossing off those tasks, staying up much later than I planned.

I’m not alone; rather, I’m joined by over 794,000 Iowans when it comes to personal satisfaction received through volunteering. In 2013, we ranked an impressive seventh in the nation with over 34 percent of Iowans volunteering in some capacity, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service report on volunteering in America.

Combined, we contributed 72.4 million hours of service throughout the year, and while one may view their own volunteer hours as insignificant, the collective effort brings massive change to many deserving organizations and individuals.

Each leadership article in this series demonstrates my own valuable lessons learned through volunteer efforts and you’ll be able to apply these as you consider the personal enrichment that will be derived you’ll receive from your own contributions. Installments include:

• Hitting a home run by giving up your free time: How others view you and the benefits you’ll receive.

• The value of promoting volunteerism among your employees: Enhanced leadership skills, strengthening career paths, invitations into inner circles and strengthening team bonds.

• Personal and professional growth: Satisfaction, self-confidence and sense of accomplishment.

• Accessibility to Iowa leadership: Opportunities for mentorship, involvement in community outreach and escalating your resume to the top of the pile.

• Volunteerism results in lifelong friends: Profitable both professionally and personally.

• The power of saying yes: When saying no is easier, yes benefits your personal well-being and professional opportunities.

In summing up my constant need for volunteerism, I realize it’s been with me since I was a child.  My mother volunteered as a room mom, then for numerous years with our annual city festival. In moving to the Des Moines area more than 25 years ago, it only took a few weeks to meet someone who invited me to join the Clive Jaycees, and I eagerly signed up and instantly made several new friends.

In writing this series, I realized that a majority of my friends came from volunteer efforts. Perhaps you’re not looking for friends, so why continue to volunteer?  

By reading my series, I hope you find out what moves you to volunteer.