I agree wholeheartedly. This is a problem in many donation-dependent organizations. I worked for a large animal rescue organization, entirely funded by donors.
Equal, if not more valuable was the time and grueling hours of work donated by volunteers and done by paid employees.
The volunteers outnumbered paid staff by probably 15 to 1, and their work made it possible to operate on a fraction of the cost it would require to pay staff for those hours.
The paid staff received minimum wage and struggled to pay for the basic necessities of life, yet chose this work because they believed deeply in the cause. They often gave up paid vacation days to cover shortfalls in staffing.
All the big events (which were very expensive to attend) were in celebration of our financial donors, with names named and awards given. No doubt their contributions are valuable, but no more so than the contributions of the unrecognized volunteers and paid staff.
Very true!
A stinging indictment!
I agree wholeheartedly. This is a problem in many donation-dependent organizations. I worked for a large animal rescue organization, entirely funded by donors.
Equal, if not more valuable was the time and grueling hours of work donated by volunteers and done by paid employees.
The volunteers outnumbered paid staff by probably 15 to 1, and their work made it possible to operate on a fraction of the cost it would require to pay staff for those hours.
The paid staff received minimum wage and struggled to pay for the basic necessities of life, yet chose this work because they believed deeply in the cause. They often gave up paid vacation days to cover shortfalls in staffing.
All the big events (which were very expensive to attend) were in celebration of our financial donors, with names named and awards given. No doubt their contributions are valuable, but no more so than the contributions of the unrecognized volunteers and paid staff.