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| NPO Work - time to give up?
Posted by Rose on 12/17/2007, 12:51 am
Some of you know my story. I'll try to give the short of it. First volunteered for a NPO here in early spring. Learned a GREAT deal (thru my own research). The NPO was/is a mess. Person who took me on as a volunteer was fired in front of me at a board meeting. Very ugly.
Next, worked for another NPO. Did nuts and bolts. Grant qualifying research; secured donations; member of fundraising event committee; collection, delivery and set-up of food for 125 people at fundraising event. "Boss" quit. I was blown off.
Local foundation asks me to give them guidance on fundraising. I attend three separate meetings for/with them to give them my suggestions/what I would do. Last board meeting they intimated they will hire me as a contractor for next fundraiser. Don't know what happened. Next day, they said they weren't interested (at $30/hr -- are you kidding me?).
Finally, first NPO got a new ED. She called me and invited me for a meeting b/c she said she felt I was very qualified to work for them. I met w/her. She outright told me that I know MORE than she does about NPO's and how to proceed. She asked me if I can give her ten hours a week. Oh, but she can't pay me anything. Maybe gas money. Promised that they will be up to par in three months -- then she can pay me.
No WAY is that NPO going to be up and running in three months with only this ED on staff. The organization is a mess. I'd bet she told the board (in the interview process) she can fix it all by herself. Why not tell them she can't? Well, likely that no MATTER HOW qualified a candidate is, the BOD was not about to authorize spending of additional funds -- although it is desparately needed (and it doesn't require a massive amount of money).
I told the ED I would think about it and let her know. But no, I don't want to do that. With all of the general complications at that NPO, I think it will come out in the end that there were gross accounting abuses by her predecessor. I'm sure that may come back to bite the ED professionally.
The grant writing courses I have taken (by same person) all stated the best way to break into the NPO world is through volunteerism. That, said instructor, leads to paid work. I just feel used and abused. Moreso, maybe I've got "doormat" written across my forehead.
I REALLY want to get into NPO work in some capacity. But I can't help but wonder if it is time for me to let go and consider other options.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Rose
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