This is a really long post and the working relationships are a little complex.

Anonymous

July 2,2022 at 1:45PM UTC

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This is a really long post and the working relationships are a little complex. I will also admit that this is part venting and also asking for advice.

I was a member of a program that works with students to help them through their educational and career journeys. After graduating the program, the org, asked me to join on as a contractor to manage their social media accounts. I worked for them for a couple of years when I was offered by the ED a full time position for the work I have been doing. The ED reached out to HR (with me CC’d on the email) about onboarding me. I should also mention this was during a time when they were bringing on new people for other roles as well.

To make a long story short, both I and the ED reached back out to HR without hearing anything for about two months. This organization moves very very slow so two months is not unheard of.

Eventually the ED calls me to tell me the change in my roles within the organization has been affected and will be consolidated with one of the new hires who said that they have social media experience. Even though I was shocked and upset, I still kept it professional and assisted with her transition, including making posts for her to use for the first couple of months of work since she will be doing multiple roles.

However, since then, she didn’t use any of the posts that I created, which is 100% cool and her choice. But this also gave me the chance to look at her work and she completely disregarded the organization social media guidelines in regard to fonts, language use, and other basic logistics that I worked really closely with leadership to create to maintain branding and make everything visually accessible.

I also heard from a former co-worker that they didn’t even look at her portfolio before hiring her.

This has made me very upset. This is an org that works with black and brown students and would often tell us that we would have to prove ourselves more than our white counterparts. I don’t want to think race played a factor into their decision making but I just don’t understand how they can take a job away from someone who’s work they liked (I was told that I was getting compliments from the board) for someone whose work wasn’t even looked at.

I also took a huge hit to my finances as well. I was working on other contracts that I closed and ones that I turned down in favor of this role. I have been having a hard time finding new work. While I find this to be a really messed up situation, I am trying to make peace with it. And am moving at the speed of trust with finding new work.

But the org reached out to me this week, asking if I will VOLUNTEER as a reader for their upcoming application cycle. My answer is no because I think that takes a lot of nerve. Since this is an organization that really helped me through my educational journey, I am wondering how to best turn them down. A part of me wants to let them know how much this has affected my life and I lost jobs because of this, but know that’s not the most professional. How would you all respond to this request.

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AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 2:11PM UTC
You reply with a smile, “ I’m sorry. I have other commitments.”
I’ve volunteered for numerous non-profits over 30+ years, they are the most toxic organizations ever. The staff are slow decision-makers, expect the world from volunteers, make decisions with no realization nor acknowledgement of the consequences to either the organization nor those who volunteer their time and money and act as professional victims when I finally extricate myself from yet another non-profit dumpster fire.
I’m sorry you’re facing this. Move on and look out for you. Rekindle those professional contacts while you build up you business again and unless things are in writing with clearly defined timelines, compensation and expectations, don’t give up what you have.
hugs. This is a very crappy thing they did to you.,
AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 3:06PM UTC
Thank you for affriming that. I needed to vent about this because it did hurt. I also learned the lesson of not commuting to something without a signed contract.
AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 2:21PM UTC
Unfortunately, I think you are too emotionally invested in this job. Journal and map out exactly what you want in your career and future. Just bc an environment helped you in your early transition post education, does not mean you need to stay there. Perhaps you outgrew them or maybe now that you had a chance to see what their work side is like, you determined it is not for you. Continue to apply for jobs aggressively in industry and job functions aligned with your knowledge, skills and abilities. I would suggest applying for more large size companies and avoiding non-profits-well atleast for now during this recession-depression
AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 3:04PM UTC
You are completely right. I am extremely emotionally invested. This was an org that was there at a pivotal point in my life. I went to back to school in my mid 20’s and they were extremely supportive. I believe in the work that they are doing and was happy to work for them. But also, I do think they were holding me back and was not able to be as supportive as an employer as they were when I was a member of their program. Thank you for the advice. Moving forward, I think there needs to be a better balance of how emotionally involved I get in my work and save that for volunteering or independent projects.
AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 3:46PM UTC
Its ok, this life has twists and turns along the way in everyone's journey. Now that you hold the pen for your life, write down the outcome that you want and go after what you most definitely deserve. Good Luck and Don't Give Up!
AyianJuly 6,2022 at 12:47PM UTC
There is also some room for feedback to this organization whose work you are so passionate about. Here they are, teaching one thing and doing another. It may be entirely unintentional on their part, but being made aware of the disparity of your experience may help them make it an intentional part of their organizational ethos.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 12:58PM UTC
And sometimes, being a recipient of their help- as a student or whatever-- is "not" the same as being their employee. I've had this experience myself! I sense you are beginning to see that. I also sense a strong devotion or loyalty character quality in you...which is SO admirable! Thank you for being that person! But you've gotten some very wise advice here. And, you've grown past this. You're smarter and savvier now. Pursue paid work and when the time comes that you can be more generous with your "free" time, I'm sure you'll help them out...but not now.
AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 2:39PM UTC
Be polite and professional but decline requests to volunteer based on other time commitments. This sounds more like cluelessness and ineptitude rather than anything malicious on the part of the organization. Nonprofits are very challenging environments, especially early in your career. They are also well connected so grit your teeth and smile as you run the other way.
AnonymousJuly 2,2022 at 3:01PM UTC
Original Poster: Thank you, I agree, I think this has more to do with the disorganization of nonprofit culture. I’m going to keep it professional and say that I don’t have the time to commit.
SLTJuly 2,2022 at 4:03PM UTC
I agree -- keep it decent as you have but I think it's time to move on.
This group doesn't appreciate your talent in the least!!
Audrey KirschJuly 3,2022 at 2:37PM UTC
You should let them know that as much as you’ve enjoyed working with them in the past you can no longer afford to work for free. If they have a paying position available, you’d be happy to consider it.
AnonymousJuly 3,2022 at 6:53PM UTC
First, I'm sorry for the disappointing turn out of this particular contract and it sucks that an org you care about let you down. From a budgeting perspective (I say this as an agency owner) Social media is always the first to get the boot even with all the special considerations. If an organization can scrap the cost associated with it- they will. The only caveat to that is if it directly impacts cashflow which can sometimes be tough to track if you aren't able to access other statistics outside of their SM accounts. I'm sure it's not personal. "We can cut our X budget from social media since so and so said they can do it". Is probably the behind the scenes conversation.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 12:20PM UTC
It’s fairly simple. You don’t work for free. Since you are in the education field it’s easy to want to give and give, but if you look at it from a practical standpoint, being a charitable person doesn’t pay the bills. At the end of the day, if it’s a paying job that you want, use this organization as a valuable learning experience and polish up your resume. Good luck!
Michelle HoffmanJuly 6,2022 at 12:47PM UTC
I would thank them for thinking of you and state that while it would be nice to be working with them again, an unpaid position is not in your immediate future at this time. If this were to become a full time paid position you would love to be considered for the opportunity.
This way you don't burn any bridges but you are making it clear "free" is going to cut it.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 1:00PM UTC
you're awesome. I just need to say that without giving advice. Lots of lessons here; all worth learning but some major hurt along the way. Thanks for being you and being excellent. They treated you crappy. Move on; Find your tribe. <3
AnonymousJuly 9,2022 at 8:37PM UTC
Thank you for that message. I really appreciate it.
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 1:04PM UTC
"Thanks for thinking of me.
Unfortunately, my schedule is completely booked and so I must decline this request to volunteer. Please feel free to connect back in future."
AnonymousJuly 6,2022 at 3:17PM UTC
I would be happy to assist you, my hourly rate is $___. They don't care how they adversely impacted your life and you shouldn't tell them. It is great that they helpe you through your educational journey, and I'm sure you helped them a lot more. They have no loyalty.
Balanced372207July 9,2022 at 3:48PM UTC
Great answer. A Latina friend of mine who is also an attorney says that organizations are always asking her to volunteer her time and expertise to "reach out to the Latino community", but when paid opportunities come up, she is NEVER hired as a native Spanish speaker. So, now, she does just as you have suggested.....stating her hourly rate.
AnonymousJuly 9,2022 at 8:36PM UTC
Sadly, this is very common. I was often told to be grateful for the opportunity, pay it back (in time and donations), and also pave the way for those to follow. All great things to aspire to do on a personal level. A lot of pressure for an organization to put onto a person.
Liz MilneJuly 7,2022 at 4:44AM UTC
Wow. That is ice cold and audacious! We're not giving you a job we know you can do and had offered you, but, oh hey, come and give us some of your expertise for free?
My response would be, "Thank you for your offer to be a reader during your upcoming application cycle, I am flattered but I am not currently in a position where I can work for free."
If they push it, then tell them that them offering and then rescinding the job made you lose regular customers...
AnonymousJuly 9,2022 at 8:34PM UTC
Thanks! I said something along those lines!
AnonymousJuly 8,2022 at 12:56PM UTC
Sorry that happened to you! Very unprofessional.
Having worked with many nonprofits, I think this may be because you may still be on their mailing list which they used to recruit volunteers for the application cycle. It is upsetting, but it may just be an error. If this is the case, you may just send a generic email thanking them but that you're not interested at this time. If you believe it to be a targeted email, then I would keep it professional but firm.
AnonymousJuly 9,2022 at 8:32PM UTC
Thanks for the support and the advice. Having gone through a couple of recruitment cycles with the org, I know that this is a targeted email.
I kept it professional and declined to be a reader this year.
AnonymousJuly 8,2022 at 1:29PM UTC
This company was able to absorb costs into a position someone had already been onboarded for - help me find the race connection here since you brought it up...
Balanced372207July 9,2022 at 3:46PM UTC
She already explained the "race connection." Read between the lines. It is a program that helped black and brown students. She is either black or brown, and the person they hired to "help" students of color is white. Maybe I "get it" because I am a black woman, and have seen similar scenarios in employment play out over and over again.
AnonymousJuly 9,2022 at 8:30PM UTC
I interned here before being hired on as a contractor ("to see how it goes") and then subsequently being “offered” the full-time role. So where I had to jump through many hoops to get the job offer, all she had to do was mention that she did social media. Nothing more. Not even show a portfolio and results.
This is not the first time racially messed up stuff has happened in this job. Despite leading countless meetings, getting funders to commit to an extra 100K (non-profit world, wore many hats), being the guest speaker at the gala, or getting four full-tuition scholarships as a student in their program to some pretty selective colleges, I get emails from the president of the board, telling me how articulate I am… Many emails.
Their board is overwhelmingly white, and every summer they hire the students the org works with (college level) as interns along with the board members' kids or family friends (high school seniors). Every summer they give the kids of the board members the team leader positions. It makes absolutely no sense. Trust, I could go on, but I think you’re getting the point.
Before anyone asks why would I even want to work there, I counter that it’s not that much better elsewhere. These encounters are not unique to me, this role, or this organization. And while I do not claim to speak for all black people / all black women, I do know A LOT of black people who can more than relate. This is an organization that had black/brown leadership and has done A LOT of good for Black and Brown students. And yet still have so far to go.
Honestly, I was not going to respond to this comment because I shouldn’t have to provide evidence.
Where we widely accept how one gender plays into the barriers/challenges/biases that they may or may not encounter throughout their career, we also need to widely accept that race also has the same impact. We are moving towards believing that women can very well be passed over for a role, for a lesser qualifying candidate that garnered more favor/trust simply based on their maleness, why not the same for a black candidate being looked over in favor of a lessor white candidate? Why not simply believe the person who says that this is their experience, instead of asking them to provide evidence?
MichelleJuly 8,2022 at 2:12PM UTC
Here are my best ideas for a response.
"I'm pretty comfortable with my current workload, so I'll pass the opportunity on to someone else. Thanks for thinking of me."
"I appreciate the consideration, but at this time I can only accept paid opportunities."
"Thanks for thinking of me. I'd be open to any paid opportunities you might have in the future."
"Would you be willing to consider this as a paid position? If so, I'd definitely be interested in learning more and possibly accepting it."
Any of these provide a great opportunity to bring up your initial concerns. Just throw in an, "Oh by the way," or "While we're on the topic of" type transition and schedule an appointment to talk with someone one-on-one at your company (he or she could become your advocate). Discuss and follow through with any additional meetings as needed until you are comfortable at work again.