Unexpectedly, so many people told us how “courageous” we are for daring to criticize funders and the press in last issue’s Just Awards for Narcissism in Philanthropy and Abominable Press Coverage of Nonprofits. What was really new was not that we criticized the Rockefeller Foundation and the New York Times, but that we named them.
The relentless search for funding makes us in nonprofits fearfully cautious about offending any powers that be. Combined with our “A student” drive and the deep desire to have our work appreciated, we tend to be a tip-toeing, jumpy bunch. But this understandable fearfulness leaves foundations and the press even less accountable, less likely to be called on the carpet for bad behavior.Â
And isn’t journalism supposed to take on the powers that be? At Blue Avocado we aspire to be the kind of journalism that provokes, illuminates, helps, and heartens. Given a choice between speaking out for community nonprofits on one hand, and on the other hand getting funding and favorable treatment from Rockefeller or the New York Times, we pick speaking out for nonprofits.
This kind of independence is only possible because our sponsors, donors, advertisers, and members want to ensure that such independence is possible. Thanks to our two key sponsors — the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Group and CompassPoint Nonprofit Services — and the hundreds of Blue Avocado member/donors, we truly can be an independent voice (you can make a donation now by clicking here).
* This issue we take aim at another sacred cow: the Serve America Act — AmeriCorps et al. How can we find something not to like in $1.15 billion in federal funds for volunteerism? And if you’re confused about “stipended volunteers,” “interns” and “volunteer interns,” Ask Rita spells out how to have interns legally . . . in other words, explaining the difference between stipended interns and below-minimum-wage employees. And I love this issue’s Board Cafe on a new type of structure for board terms: the first term is one year; the second term is three years, and the third is two years. Imagine yourself a lone cow at twilight, considering it all. 🙂 — Jan Masaoka
In relation to this issue by viewing it there is a great connection to the sacred cow that we are talking about.I think the New York State is in severe financial trouble, they’re experiencing the worst spending budget crisis ever. To battle this problem New York State Governor, David Paterson, was attempting to pass a furlough for just one individual day to help cut government employees costs. That idea was quickly halted after numerous lawsuits were filed in opposition to this plan in advance. What I am unable to comprehend is why people are so bent out of shape to reduce one day’s pay, yet they’re willing to pay the same amount to their attorneys to file a lawsuit to ensure they do not lose that one day pay. Next, they could be complaining next week when hundreds end up getting laid off because everybody got so upset with taking a day off of work instead.
I believe that there is another way to look at the opportunities inherent in engaging AmeriCorps members. I worked as a trainer for AmeriCorps. I found the members to vary in both age and experience. While some came straight out of college, many came to national service with years of experience but with the goal of developing skills for a second career.
AmeriCorps members are not legally employees and to describe them as “low paid” is misleading. They are volunteers who receive a small stipend and basic benefits so they can work without pay for a year or two and be able to live while doing it. Their commitment can range from as little as 300 hours to as many as 1,700 hours within a year. In a time when many volunteers are giving fewer hours this is a real plus for organizations looking for bigger time commitments from volunteers.
Members are rewarded for their commitment with the opportunity to learn new skills and find a satisfying career path for the future. They are also given a small scholarship award of $5,000 (which many colleges and universities are now matching for further study). They are not there to supplant staff, rather to enhance organizational capacity.
Think what AmeriCorps can do to free staff to steward a wider range of projects and programs. They can help with volunteer recruitment, screening, volunteer cultivation, placement, follow up, work planning and outreach. When organized in self-directed teams, they can work more independently.
Yes, organizations will need to change their expectations of what volunteers can do; organizations will need to be open to facilitate powerful agreements for result, and invest in careful screening and vetting of the members with whom they work so that the organizations will get the result and outcome that they desire. And, yes, this takes organizational time and resources. The return on investment far outweighs the downside of engaging AmeriCorps members.
Let’s get the facts straight about the reach of national service programs. On May 12, 2010 the following was posted (: http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/newsroom/releases_detail.asp?tbl_pr_id=1738), “Since 2000, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members have served more than 3.4 million hours on over 1,350 disaster service projects. These full-time members, age 18-24, are housed on five regional campuses which allows for rapid deployment to assist with local needs during disasters. NCCC members are trained in first aid, CPR, firefighting, case management, and asset mapping. Since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, more than 108,000 participants in the Corporation’s programs – AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America – have contributed over 7.7 million hours in the recovery and rebuilding effort. NCCC members and other service workers are still recruiting and coordinating volunteers to help strengthen communities and lives across the Gulf Coast region." This is just one illustration of how this volunteer workforce can be deployed, and how it is changing the lives of its participants as well.
As a strategic engagement consultant who has worked with nearly 80 organizations across the US, I have observed that organizations need more volunteers – and skilled, committed ones at that. Rather than viewing national service from a scarcity mentality, think of the service movement as adding abundance of skills and resources to organizations that can really use the added human resources, especially in this economy. AmeriCorps members also give organizations the opportunity to learn how to engage and work with the millennial generation. They bring new thinking about engagement, technology expertise, and social networking savvy to organizations that may be sorely lacking in this regard. They don’t need training on how to do this; they just need a green light and watch them go!
No one is seriously saying that AmeriCorps will alone save the day, but they do provide significant help in challenging times for government and nonprofit organizations. Being an AmeriCorps member is a gateway to a government or nonprofit career. As many organizations ponder how to recruit and retain talent, tapping into national service is a profound way of cultivating human capital for the future. Instead of complaining about this gift, let’s figure out a way to embrace it. Our future depends on it.
Good Morning, Jan: Another edition of thought provoking, intellectually stimulating and passionate dialog to digest. May your service be unabated with good health and keen vision for all of us..