What is I-O?

The pro bono projects undertaken by SIOP members are as diverse as our careers. For example, Hal Tragash of Genesis Consulting implemented a leadership development process for the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), training more than 90 facilitators over several years. Henry Phillips, a graduate student at University of Houston, devised an interviewing manual for a battered womens shelter. Clyde Mayo of Management and Personnel Systems designed and implemented a survey for the Houston Psychological Association and, along with the board of Texas Industrial Organizational Psychologists (TIOP), Clyde is currently helping to administer a healthy workplace award. Ed Kahn is using all the organizational psychology I can muster to chair an Interfaith Community Service day.

The people I spoke with came across these opportunities in a variety of ways including acquaintances, organizational affiliations, volunteer jobs, and reputations. Sometimes the psychologists were approached by the organization needing assistance, and other times the psychologists saw a need and offered their services. Through other volunteer work, Alec Schrader of Equilon Enterprises had contact with United Way and United Way agencies, which resulted in his performing some pro bono services including staffing studies and process facilitation. Ed Kahn did some OD work for the Dispute Resolution Center who knew of him through his volunteer work as a mediator. Henry Phillips attended church with the director of the womens shelter, and Alec also did some work for his church. Hal Tragash was already on the board of the UAHC when he developed their program. Because he had experience with the Malcolm Baldridge award process, Hal was approached by Stevens Institute of Technology to assist with a total quality initiative.

Proffered services are not always accepted; for example, Clyde Mayo discussed the idea of ministerial assessments with two churches experiencing high turnover, but the church boards were not comfortable with a psychometric approach. David Campbell of the Center for Creative Leadership told me about a leadership development program for community leaders that CCL runs yearly. This program would cost $5000 for regular paying clients. Initially it was offered free to the community leaders, but potential participants tended to cancel at the last minute. When they began charging a nominal $500 (which barely covers costs), the program experienced far fewer cancellations.

Pro bono work can provide a variety of benefits to us. Everyone described his or her experiences as personally rewarding. Some pointed out that pro bono work could be good for business by providing publicity. Pro bono work can also be a source of research data, and a bright spot on your resume. Clyde Mayo noted that pro bono work gives him a chance to interact with different populations than would normally be clients and provides a broadened perspective. Hal Tragash found that this work gave him an opportunity to try some new things and continue to learn. Alec Schrader mentioned that some of the organizations he has helped have been very generous with praise and recognition. He has also had the opportunity to see dramatic impacts on organizations based on assistance he has provided.

I asked everyone I spoke with how they found the time to do pro bono work. For a lucky few, an employer such as Equilon, which is committed to community involvement, will allow or even encourage employees to spend a few (paid) days each year as a volunteer. CCL actually sponsors some pro bono work. Others spoke of the need to find an appropriate balance, to work smart, and find the time for what is important. Ed Kahn grew up with the understanding that volunteer work is something one prioritizes and plans. One consultant mentioned that if he could bill for 35 hours in a week he could afford to spend 3 hours on pro bono. Henry Phillips pointed out that he didnt actually find time; he put other projects on hold in order to help a client who could not otherwise afford his services.

A variety of SIOP members shared their stories with me for this article. I thank them very much for the work they do and for taking the time to speak with me, and I invite anyone with pro bono experience to contact me by e-mail at eklein@yahoo.com in order to share his or her experiences through future articles in TIP.