From Lawn Care to National Impact: How AIIP Shaped My Success Story
The Unexpected Opportunity
Sometimes the most meaningful professional opportunities emerge from unexpected places. For me, it started with an interest in native plants and a spot on a mailing list. As an independent information professional typically serving corporate clients and management consultancies, I never imagined that reducing my lawn and adding native plants would lead to one of my most fulfilling projects – or that my AIIP volunteer experience would prove so invaluable.
From Participant to Professional Partner
Last year, I joined a pilot program studying how replacing lawns with native plants improves biodiversity. As a participant, I delighted in watching birds, insects, and wildlife return to my yard. But something else was happening too: I was connecting with the program organizers in a way that felt different from my usual professional interactions.
Years of AIIP learning and volunteering had transformed me from someone who tentatively networked into a confident professional eager to add value and share expertise. When conversations turned to the program’s research, survey, and project management needs, I naturally joined in. Soon, the CEO invited me to help expand their program from a local to regional scale.
Leveraging AIIP Experience
That’s when something nifty happened. Beyond applying my core research and analytical skills, I found myself saying “I can do that” to an array of technical and strategic challenges.
Key Skills Applied:
- Creating engaging participant communications and media
- Building online community engagement
- Coordinating complex projects using tools learned through AIIP
When the project suddenly expanded nationally (thanks to Good Morning America and social media influencers), we needed to scale quickly. Again, my AIIP experience came through. From managing virtual events to assessing and implementing tools, from crafting engagement strategies to troubleshooting technical challenges, the skills I’d developed through AIIP volunteer work became crucial to the project’s success.
The Business Impact
The CEO made an observation that stuck with me. While she often worked with technically skilled professionals from large organizations, she valued my ability to adapt quickly and work flexibly – traits I’d developed through both owning my own business and AIIP volunteering. This agility, combined with my professional expertise, impressed her and she’s now engaging me for other initiatives. Better yet, through this project I’ve connected with key players in the environmental space, giving me a springboard to grow my business in this sector – backed by my involvement in this highly visible and successful project.
Lessons Learned
So what did I learn? The most valuable professional development often happens when we step outside our comfort zones to serve others. AIIP provided me that opportunity through volunteer roles in social media, virtual events, peer-to-peer development, and board and committee leadership roles, to name a few. Each experience built new skills and confidence that eventually helped me shine for clients in unexpected ways.
Tips for Fellow Info-Entrepreneurs
Your path to growth through volunteering might look different from mine, but the rewards can be just as significant. Consider these approaches:
- Join member-led organizations like AIIP that offer deep, hands-on learning opportunities
- Take on roles that build your confidence as well as leadership and teamwork skills
- Engage with professional groups aligned with your interests or expertise
- Contribute to non-profits whose mission resonates with your values
- Look for roles that stretch your current capabilities
- Start small, but commit fully to the experience
The key is finding organizations, like AIIP, where you can truly immerse yourself, learn new skills, and make meaningful connections. The experience you gain will enrich your professional toolkit in ways you might never expect, opening doors to projects that align with your values and showcase your expanding capabilities.
June Boyle has been the owner of CeRCo Research & Consulting and a member of AIIP since 2008. Through her research-based consulting, she “brings the outside view inside” to support her clients as they lead their businesses through change. CeRCo is expanding its offerings to support organizations driving environmental initiatives, while continuing to serve its corporate and management consultancy clients. June served as AIIP’s President in 2015-2016, and is currently the Chair of the External Communications Committee. Contact her at june.boyle@cerco-research.com.
