Language Matters
As Volunteer Engagement Professionals try to get volunteering taken more seriously as a strategic priority in our organisations, the language we, and others, use is critically important.
”Language is very powerful. Language does not just describe reality. Language creates the reality it describes.” — Desmond Tutu
For example, many people use the word ‘giving’ as shorthand for donating money. ‘Giving’ then takes on purely financial context, largely ignoring and belittling other forms of support, such as volunteering.
Similarly, pro bono gets used when people give time to do something involving professional skills. Consequently, if high-status, skilled roles aren’t called volunteering, the logical conclusion is that volunteering is a low-status, unskilled activity.
The most striking example around language recently was lockdown fundraising hero Captain Sir Tom Moore. He was always referred to as a fundraiser, but never as a volunteer, which he was.
Similarly, everyone who will do something for Children in Need this weekend will be a volunteer. They won’t get called that though. At best they’ll be labelled fundraisers.
If we want people to see and understand the value and importance of volunteering to our organisations and society, then we must remember — language matters!
I assist social impact agencies increase their effectiveness by helping them leverage their volunteer workforce.
2 年Love this, Rob. If we ever want to change the image of volunteering and get it more respect (and investment!) we need to highlight EVERYONE who volunteers their time. Fantastic article, Rob.
Head of Volunteering at West London NHS Trust
2 年Another one is volunteering PROGRAMME. We never say staff programme, that is to say, as if it lives on it's own island.
Volunteer Coordinator for National Museums Scotland
2 年We've recently increased the use of the term "volunteer" when speaking about our society office bearers, student reps and other student leaders... many of the post holders themselves didn't even think of themselves as volunteering!
Volunteer Development Manager at OnSide
2 年So true! I think it's rare I've heard anyone voluntarily doing fundraising being called a volunteer unless it's a formalised role