Looking for pro-bono in your own backyard

Sure, most of us don't have our very own backyard at this point in our career, but I'm sure you get the drift.

We are constantly being told to look for PR opportunities outside of our everyday career in order to supplement our ongoing education, as well as communicate to others that we are well-rounded individuals who have more to offer than a 50+ hour work week (see Devin's article below on how to get more out of life than work). Recently I learned that we don't need to travel very far to satisfy this expectation.

Twice in the past week I was able to use the skills and training received through work as a PR practitioner, and for both I didn't have to leave the comfort of my neighborhood.

The first opportunity came when my neighborhood home owners association (HOA) needed to defend its position at a city council meeting. Prior to the meeting, I met with a previously determined (and extremely articulate) neighbor who would be presenting our case to the council to discuss "talking points" that represent the position of the HOA in regards to the issue at hand. We discussed strategies for presenting our position as well as how to rally our neighbors to attend. Although our research prior to the meeting made it seem like defeat was imminent prior to the meeting, with the help of our preparation and presentation, as well as some simply applied PR tactics, we were able to win the support of the city council.

The second is one anyone can do, and was recently highlighted in a friends blog Russell Page: Give free tips when you have nothing to gain. I recently tested this theory, not for the first time, though it was with a renewed interest since having read his post. The result was having the media come and cover the return of a soldier to his family for the first time since leaving for Iraq one year ago. The story ran as one of the top stories (it was the third story: Pilot Returns Home).

The moral of the story: Opportunities to test your skills are all everywhere. We just need to stay alert and be ready to lend a hand.