In an earlier post, VAcommentators for VAnetworking.com, I wrote about this little mission carried on by several members of the virtual assistant network at VAnetworking.com.
VAcommentators has been very active since October 2008, a relatively short time in the stream of life. One of the benefits to me is the stimulation to write about the virtual assistant field and weave a relationship to the topic and VAnetworking.com. Additionally, there is the impetus to get some of it done every week. We are volunteers, so don’t have FIXED rules, but eligibility is loosely connected to making a certain number of posts or tweets during a given month.
During this period of growing activity, we’ve been lead by Ruth Martin of Maplewood Virtual Assistance who is also very active in the forums at VAcommentators. Being leader is more than getting to march at the head of the line. Every week, volunteer commenters send links to their posts, comments, updates and tweets to Ruth for validation as we compete for getting the MOST action, not just being average, good enough or adequate.
In May, the leadership will be changing to another member of the Commentators. Michelle Colvin, of MLC Business Solutions will be taking up the baton and moving forward. In volunteer groups, it is always good for more people to try the leadership positions. We never know when lives will change and the great leaders will need to focus on other areas. Being virtual isn’t as impacted by moving away from a location. Adding more clients, taking on training, changing volunteer positions are all ways that virtual volunteers see change in their lives that is significant to the volunteer activities.
So, while Ruth has done an exemplary job of leading the group, we have to believe that the success is due to the mission and that someone else can certainly take on that task and commit several hours a month to it. As a commenter throughout the winter along with Michelle, I welcome her willingness to take the lead.
If you, dear reader, are not a VAcommentator, think about it today. There is gain for you in the networking and social media activity every time you write a post or comment or tweet. Each tag in the online game gives you more publicity as well as promoting VAnetworking.com. Between this blog and the sister blog, Particularly Virtual, my mission and my brand, Bar JD, get nice exposure. There are some contests and perks offered by VAnetworking.com, but I understand the online presence to me to be part of the VAcommentators comes from effort on my part.
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Excellent post, JudyAnn! I appreciate the kinds words. You know I’m a firm believer in making comments for VAnetworking, getting those backlinks, and showcasing your expertise through your writings. With all of the resources available at VAnetworking.com it’s super easy to become a VAcommentator. It’s been great working with you and watching your writings become more frequent as you expand your blogs. Keep up the awesome work!
Great post JudyAnn! I also have enjoyed working with Ruth as a VAcommentator and VAnetworking.com. This is a great opportunity for any VA and we are helping out this wonderful organization at the same time. It doesn’t get any better then that.
JudyAnn, I just recently became a VAcommentator and find it a very effective way to network, promote my business, promote the industry and at the same time promote VAnetworking.com. I’ve only worked with Ruth for a short period of time but she has been very helpful. I look forward to working with Michelle as she begins her job leading our group . VAnetworking has been such a fantastic resource for my VA business, volunteering to be a VAcommentator is my way of giving back to the community.