The volunteer as the entrepreneur? Meeting Andreas from YPIA

When you think of networking events, what do you think of? High profile, corporate events that you may only dream of getting an invitation too? Or perhaps daunting occasions were you may be forced to talk to strangers or even ‘sell’ yourself? (Chalk, 2013). In the case of YPIA’s (Young People In the Arts) networking events, perhaps none of these. Andreas Flohr and Niki Wenham set up YPIA in 2008, with the prime aim of providing regular networking opportunities - often promoted as “networking drinks” - for young people working in the arts, particularly in the classical music and theatre sectors: ”YPIA is open to all, but specifically intended for those who are not at a senior management level” (YPIA, 2013).

While many companies choose to organise events were networking opportunities form part of the return on investment for the delegate (Allen, 2007, p.26), networking is at the core of what YPIA do. Even more interestingly, YPIA is formed entirely of volunteers, including the founders, who (as well as heading the organisation) have full-time jobs. Even more interesting is the entrepreneurial element to Andreas and Niki’s idea, which has led to popularity, a strong membership scheme and a steady advertising income.

So, on meeting Andreas, who heads YPIA Music, I decided to put the question: are you a volunteer or entrepreneur? (amongst other questions of course…read on!)

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HM: Hi Andreas…in your own words, tell me why you decided to set up YPIA.

AF: YPIA was originally set up for junior managers because there was a need for a network for like-minded people…there is one for more senior and general managers, who go to seminars and meetings, but networking within the arts is massively important…so we felt we needed to invite, meet up with and have events with our peers…then everything developed from there. We started to meet up every month at the Southbank Centre and soon, there were calls for more events.

HM: How did you go about setting it up?

AF: Originally it was Nicky and I and two other colleagues, who had the idea so we emailed people [and gained support] because at the time there was nothing like this...the need was vital.

HM: Regarding the classical music branch of the organisation, what kinds of events do you put on?

AF: Well it really ranges from [holding] interviews with leading people in the classical music industry to having panel debates covering current, specific topics…such as we had a seminar on the music industry relating to record sales and online sales and how the surge of the internet changes business models… we try to get people together afterwards for drinks and for networking.

HM: Would you class these as networking events then?

AF: Yes, networking is always the central part, whether before or after the events.

HM: Specifically about the volunteers that now make up YPIA…initially how did you go about recruiting and attracting these?

AF: It’s actually been quite difficult…volunteering is such a central element to the entire arts scene…without volunteers, none of the arts [would] exist in the same way…what exists in YPIA is the people who are passionate about getting together and getting involved…managing [these events] in a voluntary capacity, as well as your daily job can be a strain on some people…so the organisation can’t grow in the same way as a professionally run organisation…but anyway…what I’m getting at here is that [the volunteers] need to be carefully organised…you can’t assign specific roles per-say, or ask them to fulfil specific roles…it’s more “how much time do you have?” or “where would you like to get involved?”. We now have a team of 8 committee members that completely take charge of the events throughout the season…they’re really doing a great job.

HM: So, this leads nicely onto my next question! What kinds of roles do volunteers have?

AF: If I start with the 8 committee members, we assign one of them to manage one event of the season and it’s down to those project leaders to recruit a small team to aid them in the event…marketing, finding the venue etc…and Nicky and I oversee the whole of YPIA and manage membership, administration, accounts and tax, as well as looking ahead to interview new committee members for the next season

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HM: What do you think they get out of running these networking events?

AF: That’s a very interesting question…in my mind it relates to the main reason of why YPIA was set up…they can get something that can really help them in their future careers…by running an event they can become in contact with senior members in the industry…I mean, as I said they are not getting paid, and no one here is paid but the organisations [that the volunteers are working for full-time] can really benefit as they may lack funding to put on their own networking events…they can really learn something that they wouldn’t necessarily learn [at work]. I don’t think an organisation like YPIA would exist without volunteers believing there is something in it for them…there is no monetary reward but it’s idealistic…they can get values and a whole lot more out of it.

HM: When you first started up the organisation did you see yourself as an entrepreneur or more as a volunteer?

AF: I don’t think any of us saw ourselves as entrepreneurs…maybe a little…we started by putting on networking drinks…but the number of people that signed up quickly exceeded the capacity of the venue, so we had to re-book. We had expected 30-40 people but we got about 120…and everyone who was there said how vital it was and a lot more came along…[so] we thought about setting up a website, a logo, a venue, which then became a bit entrepreneurial I guess, and of course we had to make the idea financially sound… we earned money from advertising, but not enough to pay a full-time employee…but anyway, that wasn’t our aim…we wanted to set up of network that would benefit organisations…it would not make money, but hold an idealistic purpose, which is where I think the difference is between being a volunteer and an entrepreneur.

HM: Any tips of advice to those perhaps thinking about setting up their own non-profit organisation in the arts?

AF: The first thing to consider is that you need to make your living somehow…you need to be paid so you have to factor that in on whatever you’re doing. The advice I learnt myself was that you have to have a passion for it…[through] the highs and lows you need the passion and the drive to keep you going through the difficult times so choose something you’re passionate about and try it. If you have a sound business plan and the internet to help then yeah, go for it!

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Andreas’ insight suggests that it is not only the recruited volunteers that are seeking ‘something’ from volunteering, but the new wave of ‘entrepreneurial volunteers’ (Idealist, 2013), who, as Kristina reinforced earlier this week, are “taking charge” and doing something for themselves. A lot can also be said for the ‘virtual’ volunteer (Hustinx et al, 2010, p.79), who, along with rapid advances in technology, can “volunteer in [their] pyjamas” through managing online website content, for example. Picking up on Andreas’ closing advice, this kind of volunteer, juggling a full-time job whilst managing a voluntary project, is vital for the successful survival of a new, non-profit organisation. Perhaps, in these ‘tough economic times’, a growing significance on the ‘entrepreneurial’ yet ‘virtual’ volunteer will be seen in the next couple of years.

References

Allen, J. (2007) The Executive’s Guide to Corporate Events and Business Entertaining. Ontario: John Wiley and Sons.

Chalk, K. (2013) an insight into networking events [Online]. Available at: http://kerrichalk.com/2013/01/11/networking-events/ (Accessed: 28^th April 2013)

Hustinx, L., Handy, F. and Cnaan, R. A. (2010) Volunteering in Taylor, R. (ed.) Third Sector Research. New York: Springer.

Idealist (2013) Models of Volunteering: Entrepreneurial, Episodic, Informal, Mandated, and Residential [Online]. Available at: http://www.idealist.org/info/VolunteerMgmt/Models (Accessed: 28^th April 2013)

YPIA (2013) about us [Online]. Available at: http://www.ypia.co.uk/page/about (Accessed: 28^th April 2013)