Swanson Russell

About six years ago, I had a boss who loved educating his employees as much as he loved marketing. He also had an office so full of clutter that he could barely fit another scrap of paper in it. So every month when he received his copy of Marketing News published by the American Marketing Association (AMA), he would scan the content and then throw, yes literally throw, the magazine on my desk. After a few months on the job, I found yet another copy of the magazine strewn on my desk. I grabbed it, marched directly into my boss’s office and said “if you’re going to keep giving me these, then I think I should be a part of the organization.” A few months later I was officially a member of the Lincoln Chapter of the AMA and on my way to an experience I could have never anticipated.

At my very first educational program, I was hooked. The topic was Hispanic Marketing, the speaker was great and the intensity of the audience engagement was palatable. I was introduced to numerous members of the board after the program and was so elated by my experience the first words out of my mouth to each one of them was, “if I can help out in any way, let me know.” As anyone who’s worked with a nonprofit can relate, the minute help is offered, the offer is pounced upon.

Before I knew it, I was a member of a newly formed PR committee. Six months later, I became the PR committee as the remaining volunteer members got busy with other commitments. I pressed on until I received a phone call from the President of the board asking me to take a board chair position in sponsorships. I thought it sounded like an interesting new challenge and one where I’d be working with other board members—a lot more fun than working in my now-solo volunteer position. When I started on the board, I did have more than a few moments of “wait a second, what did I get myself into?”  The time commitment of the position was pretty intense, and well, not something you get “paid” to do. But being a person who will crawl on her hands and knees to honor a commitment she’s made rather than giving up, I kept going, grumbling —at first.

Month by month, things started to change. I loved the educational programming from day one, but soon, it was helping me become a better marketing consultant for my clients, more equipped to recommend timely trends. I started to wax poetic with event attendees who were so passionate about marketing, you couldn’t help but get caught up in the energy. I became a Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) through AMA sharpening my marketing street cred that much further. My PCM classmates and I would meet up after our courses and discuss marketing theory with a vigor so great, I’d be jumping out of my seat to go tell my clients what I had learned the next morning. The work hard, play hard mentality of the board created a bond so strong, the majority of my social calendar started to fill with time devoted to my now dear friends, outside of our countless AMA hours spent together.

Finally, I completely and whole-heartedly “got it.” I got why these men and women gave up time with their family, friends and many weekend and evening hours to keep this all-volunteer organization afloat. I understood why they’d squeeze in a few more hours of “day job” work into the evening so that they could make time during the day for AMA meetings and events. I hopped on board so much so that I made the leap one short year after having joined the board to the position of President-Elect.

My Presidential year is one I will cherish for the rest of my life. The connections I made, both personally and professionally, are truly invaluable.  My board was full of rock stars that were just as outstanding in a professional capacity as they were people you simply wanted in your life. The Lincoln chapter itself continued its award winning streak as we took home first runner up for Chapter of the Year (followed this year by earning the top honor). There were certainly twists, turns and pretty big bumps during the ride, but the intensity of the highs far outweighed the valleys. And the quality of the people made every elated, exhaustive, exciting or just plain crazy moment worth it.

Now as I’ve taken my seat in my rocking chair as a Director on the board, spouting “in my day,” whenever possible, I know my love and commitment to this organization will never wane, no matter where life takes me next. I had no intention of this path when I first encountered my boss, Marketing News magazine in hand. And that, I believe, is the true power of these passionate marketers. If you let them, they’ll take you to a place you never knew you wanted to go, but will be so incredibly grateful you did.