I had a most unusual conversation today. I spoke with someone who is trying to start a TNRM programme in the complex that she manages. She mentioned that some of the cats have been sterilised - but that not all of them had been done. We talked about my going down and speaking with some of the residents. Then she said that she knew that even though I had mentioned I was a volunteer, that some volunteers charge fees. This was a first for me! I told her there was no charge.
Then she very nicely asked if she could reimburse me for my travel expenses at least. No one has ever asked me that before - perhaps they assumed that since I was an employee of CWS that I had a transport allowance (I didn't) - nor has it happened anytime I've volunteered either :)
4 comments:
This shows the attitude towards "volunteers" in Singapore and in the West where I presume you are now.
I work in a non-profit org and whenever the extensive services were explained and that there were no fees, the "clients" automatically assumed we were volunteers.
This has been taken advantage by some non-profit org to keep the salaries of employeers who work with passion,way below market values :)
Most of shrug the "low pay" off as we feel the "untangible" reward has "no" value to it.
I'm in the US now - but I'm not sure it's a Singapore versus the West situation. In another mediation I did, there was no talk of fees, reimbursement, etc either :)
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