Hi everyone, a colleague asked me to write a translation of nonprofit terminologies and concepts, which may be helpful to those who are thinking of going into nonprofit work. Since I was pressed for time this week (look, Narcos is not going to binge-watch itself on Netflix), I outsourced the task to the NWB Facebook Community, which is full of brilliant and hilarious people who don’t take themselves too seriously. Here are several of the suggestions, mainly copied verbatim. (Go to the Facebook page for the whole list). This is by no means comprehensive, so please add your own in the comment section:
Hiring
Salary commensurate with experience: We’re ashamed to actually say what it is, but it’s probably nowhere near commensurate with your experience level
Comprehensive benefits: You can take home leftover crackers AND half-drunk bottles of wine after donor receptions.
Welcomes diversity/seeks diverse leadership: You will be the first and/or only person of color on our board/staff/whatever
A dynamic work environment: We are really disorganized
Able to prioritize: You’ll have to decide whether it’s riskier to delay payment on the electric bill or the water bill
There were so many duties we decided to split the job: Your predecessor still works here, but is angry she was demoted, and won’t train you
We are embarking on a new phase: Everything else we’ve tried has been an epic failure, and you will now save us.
A fast-paced environment: We are overwhelmed, overworked and afflicted with this curse called a ‘vocation’, and the Board just keep piling it on.
Looking for someone passionate about the field: Applicants should be willing to accept being paid peanuts
Lots of opportunity: It literally could not get any worse. Continue reading “Common nonprofit terms and concepts and what they actually mean”
