A community advocate with 40 years supporting Latino populations challenges nonprofits that expect free work from him while paying Anglo speakers. He argues passion doesn't obligate you to volunteer, and warns younger professionals that generosity and fair pay aren't opposites.
All right, well, excuse my frustration here, but my commitment to my community does not make my work free. I spent almost 40 years working to help Latino and underserved communities, and every once in a while a nonprofit will invite me to speak at a conference or give a presentation, and then they'll tell me, well, we don't have a budget to pay you. Now let me be clear, I'm willing to volunteer. I've donated my time, I've donated money, and I will continue doing that for organizations and causes I believe in. But here's what I've learned: volunteering should be my choice. I've been at events where other speakers, specifically Anglo speakers, were being compensated But somehow there was an expectation that because I care deeply about our community, I should donate my work. And I've actually asked people, well, you work for this nonprofit, right? You're getting paid for the hours you're here. Would you be willing to donate your salary for those hours because you care about your community? And then the conversation changes. I'm not saying that to be difficult. I'm saying it because there's a difference between generosity and undervaluing someone's work. And I especially want young people who are dedicating their careers to helping others to understand this. Your big heart does not make your work less valuable. You can serve your community and be compensated fairly. You can be generous and build financial security. And you can donate your time when you decide that the cause deserves your time. My commitment to my community is not my permission to undervalue my work. Because doing good and doing well financially don't have to be opposites. You can do both.
