# The perks of a charity job we should share

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/10/09/perks-charity-job-we-should-share/
- Published: 2012-10-09T07:51:18+01:00
- Author: Kevin Baughen

**There’s been some debate recently around the subject of [TOIL in the charity sector](http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/aug/17/voluntary-professionals-time-off-in-lieu)
and during my recent holiday, it got me to thinking about the other benefits of 
working in the sector. The old chestnut of lower salaries than commercial equivalents
is a debate we can’t really advance in one blog but, having asked around, I was 
surprised at just how many other tangible benefits there are.**

I’m not talking about gym membership, pensions and other more frequently seen benefits.
And nor are we talking about the ethereal ‘I feel better about myself’ glow that
invariably we all do experience but which is hard to articulate to someone considering
volunteering or applying for a role.

I am talking about the tangible experiences those in roles, paid and voluntary, 
enjoy but that seldom seem to get shared when we’re trying to attract new talent.
Here’s just a few of the examples I came across:

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 * Getting to meet celebrities. For events and high value donor roles, this can 
   be a real buzz, especially when the experience can Getting to meet celebrities.
   For events and high value donor roles, this can be a real buzz, especially when
   the experience can be shared with friends via social media. 
   The women in the
   [British Lung Foundation](http://www.lunguk.org) fundraising teams haven’t stopped
   talking about what a nice bloke [Colin Jackson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Jackson)
   is since meeting him at the Great North Run.
 * Attending free learning events. The charity sector has more great opportunities
   to learn from others and pick up new skills than I can count. From NFP Tweetups
   to [Institute of Fundraising](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Fundraising)
   masterclasses and free ‘lunchtime learning’ sessions to a number of Google-based
   peer support groups. The sector is hugely focused on sharing what works with 
   others and helping volunteers and staff to develop personally.
 * Meeting people who open your mind almost every day. I know this sounds a bit 
   ethereal but spending time regularly with charity beneficiaries does open your
   mind and very often results in us behaving more positively towards people.

 * Awards. Both personal and organisational awards can really boost motivation and
   recognise the energies and outcomes of great charity people. Do recruiters share
   these achievements with potential team members (and supporters) enough?
 * Freebies. I know it might not be appropriate to shout about this but chocolate,
   biscuits, T-shirts, cakes, books and games are just some of the things I’ve seen
   staff and volunteers receive from happy corporate partners, supporters and even
   Trustees. A small random act of kindness does indeed go a long way…

I’m sure if we shared just some of these with the right target audiences, it could
promote our charity brands as causes and as great places to work or volunteer. What
have been your best non-benefit benefits?

 

 * **[Lasa shares what charity leaders need to know about digital communications](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/10/11/lasa-shares-what-charity-leaders-need-know-about-digital-communications/)**(
   11 October 2012)
 * **[New Fundraising and Communications Director at RSPB](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/10/15/new-fundraising-and-communications-director-rspb/)**(
   15 October 2012)
 * **[New CEO at Fundraising Ireland](https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/11/07/new-ceo-fundraising-ireland/)**(
   7 November 2012)