Have you volunteered or been asked to volunteer to build houses, serve meals, coach basketball, paint walls or clean up a beach? Those kinds of service to others are priceless to our society and what we most often visualize volunteerism to be, but they just scratch the surface of other volunteer roles that are also vital to our way of life in Racine and throughout our country.

At United Way and other nonprofit organizations across Racine County, volunteers are critical to the strategic and daily operations which keep costs down and can help all of us innovate and succeed. People like Paul Rohling, a retiree from JohnsonDiversey, who has been a volunteer leader with United Way for the past three years, weave themselves into and help define the very fabric of the organization.

Paul started his engagement with United Way 25 years ago on a budget panel. During the course of the past three years, he has worked as the chairman of the Supporting Self-Sufficiency Investment Committee and recently became the chairman of the United Way Community Investment Committee and a member of the Board of Directors.

Looking back, Paul estimates that he spent more than 300 hours volunteering at United Way last year, saying, "I receive the satisfaction of doing something good for our community by helping to ensure that United Way funds are spent wisely. The faces I've seen and the stories I've heard from program participants are very rewarding. My skill set is managing projects and process change to get results. I have been able to use these skills during our recent implementation of objective program outcome and capacity measurements."

Mandy Wellen, financial analyst for Modine Manufacturing, has also found a way to utilize her professional skill-base to improve our community. When Mandy saw an ad in the Young Professionals of Racine newsletter two years ago seeking United Way volunteers, she decided she wanted to get involved. Today she serves as a financial adviser for the Caring for Kids investment committee and is a member of United Way's financial team. Regarding her role as a United Way committee member Mandy says, "Most people fear numbers, but in my profession that is the first thing I look at. I think I have brought some security to the other volunteers as someone they can go to for answers around program budgets and other nonprofit financials."

The next time you hear the word "volunteer," dig deeper. Consider the opportunity to help with Web design, share your financial abilities, utilize your marketing and sales skills, or contribute an artistic talent. You could share your planning abilities, design skills, your love of public speaking, or maybe just a willingness to learn new things while making a real difference in our community.

Volunteering empowers you and develops social capital within our community. Many volunteer jobs require independent action and initiative. When you know your capabilities, you have the power to change your life and the lives of others. When you volunteer, you get as much out of it as you put into it; and often, you get a whole lot more.

Tracy L. Nielsen is vice president of marketing and resource development for United Way of Racine County.