Passion

Passion is the great big lie the non-profit sector tells itself.

I learned this lesson the first time I flew to a meeting for work. I was the manager of an outdoor education centre for YWCA Edmonton and I was asked to be part of a national task force making recommendations on increasing engagement of young women in the national movement of YWCAs.

Most of the young women I was meeting with were volunteers: lawyers, civil servants and teachers by day; giving up their evenings to run programs at the YWCA or be a part of the local Board of Directors. This mix of staff and volunteers is familiar to me now but then I was preoccupied by how they did it all — taking vacation time from the job I was paid to do to volunteer for another organization was something I had never considered.

Early on in our meeting, when the sticky notes had not yet made it to the walls, and we were still getting to know each other’s names, the discussion bent toward recruitment, motivation, everyone’s why.

“Well people volunteer and work at the YWCA because they are passionate about feminism; about women’s rights; about advancing the mission.”

“Right?!”

I shifted.

“But some people come to the YWCA because they have to. Or they just need a job. Or it’s the only Board they can get on.”

“Right?!”

And while there was general agreement that all of those reasons were true, that was not the last time in my career I voiced that perspective.

“People also work here because they need a job. And it’s a great place to hone their technical skills. And it’s close to their apartment.”

Sure, some people who work in the non-profit sector are fiercely passionate about their work. That’s likely true for any sector and workplace. But defaulting to everyone having passion for their job is a big lie the non-profit sector loves to tell itself.

That lie allows us to make excuses: people living their passion can be paid less than industry average; can have less advancement opportunities and can work additional hours with no additional compensation. Passionate people contribute financially to the organization they work for and set aside other causes that are important to them. They go above and beyond.

And while the non-profit sector is off on the side assuming everyone is deeply passionate about our mission, what message are we sending to the staff and volunteers who aren’t? This isn’t your workplace if you just need a job. Or this is finally the employer that would give you a chance. If you’re here to practice your skills in fundraising or communications or advocacy so you can eventually work for another cause, that’s fine but play along with our mission for now ‘K?

Who isn’t clicking on our job postings because they don’t see themselves as feminists or environmentalists or human rights advocates?

Passion has a place in our workplaces and its power shouldn’t be underestimated. I’d argue the most effective Executive Directors in the sector do have a deep and abiding passion for the cause they are leading. Many people take on paid or volunteer work in the non-profit sector and discover their passion and to witness that spark is lively and inspiring.

But until we start challenging the belief that passion is the default, the non-profit sector won’t be as inviting a place to work; won’t be seen as integral to thriving communities and just might be missing out on the contributions of capable people whose passions come to life when their work day is done.