The holiday season is a wonderful time for celebration, reflection and gratitude. As we wrap up the last quarter of the year, it is also an ideal time for entrepreneurs, small business owners and professionals to come together to give back
through volunteering.

The saying, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” embodies the potential and power of volunteers and their capacity to create sustainable change in our lives and communities by paying it forward and giving back. This concept means you and your company or team randomly do something good for someone as repayment for something good done to you. If you are at a loss of how to give back, volunteering is an excellent way to do so.

Here are 3 benefits of volunteering:

Cultivate new networks and connections. Surrounding yourself with like-minded professionals expands your network, increases your visibility in the community, and may open doors to new clients, partnerships and career opportunities.

Enhance leadership skills and personal growth. Engaging in volunteer activities can provide you and your employees with a new forum to display skills, talents and capabilities. You may develop new skills, and with exposure, step into leadership. You may also find giving back fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Create a ripple effect. Volunteering not only benefits those on the receiving end, but those leading the efforts. It also fuels personal development, aids business success and uplifts communities.

Of course, joining an organization that makes a difference in the community is a good way to receive at the same time you are giving back — during the holidays and beyond. For professional women in the Coachella Valley, Women Leaders Forum offers just that by providing networking and inspiration for professional women while fundraising college scholarships for the next generation of local leaders.

Volunteer opportunities within the nonprofit organization include joining committees to mentor their Young Women Leaders and organizing events such as their Let’s Interact Speaker series held at the Classic Club on the first Thursday of each month. November’s theme is “She Means Business” and attendees will gain valuable insights from local business leaders on taking ideas from concept to launch. At this event, generously sponsored by Desert Travel Group/Cruise Planners, moderator Debi Tryon of Morgan Stanley will lead a panel of experts including the co-founders of the internet sensation Good Vibes Sound Bath, the owner of the new fitness craze Pure Barre Palm Desert, and an outreach specialist from the Small Business Administration.

In December, discover what’s hot, what’s new and what’s next with the “I Love Coachella Valley” speaker series event. Moderator Laurilie Jackson will be joined by speakers Laura James and Erin Hyland for an in-depth look at the exciting changes happening throughout the valley. Your gift for taking part and giving back includes a complimentary headshot by Photos by Lani offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

This holiday season, be sure to pay it forward by giving back. We would love to see you at Women Leaders Forum where the gifts you receive surely outweigh the effort!

Eleanor (Elle) Oliver-Edmonds is founder of Eleanor Oliver Coaching and President of Women Leaders Forum and can be reached at [email protected]. For more information on Women Leaders Forum, visit www.wlfdesert.org.