Retired People Demand Pay for Volunteering at Charities

October 23, 2007

Retired People Demand Pay for Volunteering at Charities

Retired people are increasingly demanding and receiving pay from nonprofit groups for work that used to be considered strictly unpaid, reports The New York Times.

“People used to say, ‘Here I am, what do you need done?’” said Deborah Russell, director of work-force issues for AARP, in Washington. “Today’s retirees say, ‘Here’s what I do well, how can you use it, and what will you pay?’ “

Experts say that the payments are important in motivating people to stick with their volunteer roles.

“Even a small check is a symbol that what they are doing really makes a difference,” said Ben Rosen, a management professor at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. “Volunteer work used to be considered women’s work, so it is not surprising that career women reject the concept,” said Mr. Rosen.

Thomas Scott, chief executive of the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership, in New Castle, Pa., said his group paid retired people $9.10 an hour to drive the charity’s clients to doctor appointments. Said Mr. Scott: “Volunteerism works for a short project, but when you need people to show up consistently and on time, you’re better off paying them.”

For more about the growing efforts to engage retired people in volunteer work, see The Chronicle’s Regeneration section.

(Free registration is required to view the New York Times article.)

Comments

This is ridiculous!! I volunteer on a regular basis, and i NEVER go in expecting anything in return, especially money. I realize that retired individuals need some sort of an income, especially if they weren’t able to save while they were employed, but by paying people to perform activites which are considered to be “from the heart” just takes away all pride of doing it to help those in need. If you won’t do it for the simple reason of just wanting to help, then don’t do it at all.

— anonymous Oct 23, 01:43 PM #
If you’re getting paid or expecting anything in return, then it really isn’t “volunteering”, now is it.

— Marie Oct 23, 02:00 PM #
they have bills and hardships we’ve yet to imagine. nowadays, everyone’s a consultant. if the charities can pay, let them. hell, provide incentives and see if that works even better.

— anon Oct 23, 02:19 PM #
Judging by this conversation, it is quite apparent that organizations who pay people to volunteer have clearly lost their focus in regards to fostering an environment where members of the community actually want to give of their time and talent(s). More importantly, I will not buy into the theory that “getting paid to volunteer” is an increasing demand/trend. The logical focus should be on [how] are organizations designing their volunteer programs? What monthly, quarterly and/or annual acknowledgement & recognition programs have been implemented to foster longevity and commitment? Finally, all non-profits should address the most valuable assets – their volunteers – when mapping out their 5-10 year Long Term Strategic Plans.

— Gregory Wright Oct 23, 02:31 PM #
A volunteer program that includes regular acknowledgement and recognition through banquets or other events, plaques, gift premiums, etc., is already spending a considerable amount of money to acknowledge the value of its volunteers’ time. If volunteers are increasingly requesting hourly pay or stipends, what’s wrong with shifting those volunteer recognition dollars to a paycheck? It doesn’t necessarily cost the organization any more, and it helps keep the volunteers happy, motivated, and—most important—coming back. And if a volunteer doesn’t need or want the money, she or he can donate it back to the organization. They sure can’t do that with a tchotchke.

— Jeanne Donado Oct 23, 03:00 PM #
I’m shocked to see this issue mentioned. I thought I was just imagining things.

I’m afraid this is in fact what I’m experiencing with both the boomers and the elders.

I suspect the elders are simply in need of some cash to sustain themselves.

I think the boomers are using money (even these token amounts)for several reasons. 1.As a measure or “value” of their contribution. 2. As a confirmation or “contract” of the degree of their commitment. 3. As a “valve” to monitor the expectations on their time.

They don’t want to be taken for granted. They don’t want to be too burdened. They’re fearful and want to stay in control.

For example, the boomer will “pop in” unannounced “to help out for awhile.” They’ll gladly do a short term unskilled labor job. For either of these situations, “They’re giving their time.” They feel generous and have no expectation to be compensated. They don’t make a big commitment and if something more interesting comes up, they don’t feel guilty moving on.

The boomer will want “some compensation” to commit to a project that’ will take a “long period of time” to fulfill and/or “uses their expertise,” as in “it looks a lot like the real job they used to have.”

It’s all relative.

— Debra Owen Oct 23, 03:27 PM #
I have worked with many volunteers and think the stipend is a wonderful idea. Many volunteers receive “a free lunch coupon” and a recognition meal at the holidays and in the beginning of summer also receiving a small gift at each time.
These have come to be expected and to me are boring and too routine.
Give a reasonable stipend and forget the “free lunch”, holiday meals and gifts.
There is nothing wrong with being a professional volunteer.

— Ellen Cunningham Oct 23, 04:28 PM #
If you receive pay you are no longer a volunteer, you are an employee.

— David Oct 24, 12:02 PM #
I agree with all of the above. However the main thing with regard to volunteers is that they like to be recognized in some meaningful way. They are certainly not looking for a career move or large paychecks. I have worked with many volunteers and the only requirement is that someone at least acknowledges that they are making a contribution to what ever cause interests them.

— Alex Montgomery Oct 30, 11:44 AM #
Volunteers who drive clients to appointments and use their own vehicles have expenses for gas, insurance, and maintenance. They also wait, sometimes for hours at a time, for a client to see a physician and then return the client to his/her home. What appears to be a fairly simple task—driving someone to an appointment—can become an all-day excursion. Some compensation, such as a pre-paid gas card, is truly appreciated by the volunteer and indicates that the organization recognizes their expenses in providing services that the organization would like to provide, but would be cost prohibitive to the organization. If the compensation is in the form of cash, it is still probably only a fraction of the total cost to the organization to provide an identical service.

— Anon Nov 4, 06:35 AM #

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