The newly formed Canadian Federation of Voluntary Sector Networks
was launched recently. How do you think such a federation can help the
sector speak with a more unified voice? Are there other ways that voluntary
sector organizations can work together more effectively?
There is a desperate need for a strong united voice for charities in
Canada. As more and more government services and functions are assumed
by charities. The lobbying ability of the third sector must increase proportionately
and to make up for the backlog of lack of public attention for the past
130 years since confederation. Charities face all kinds of regulatory
problems daily. One of the prominent emerging challenges charities today
is the matter of employment of workers.
Care workers and other professionals in the non-for-profit are burning
out from overwork and underpay. It's a situation that calls for a diligent
and persistent education of politicians and bureaucrats to bring to light
the need for reform in the employment practices of the charities across
Canada.
These is some talk of the formation of unions to protect and enhance employees
of charities. It would be regrettable to have to succumb to such measures.
No other sector of the economy relies more on goodwill that that the third.
This goodwill generates income through fundraising and it cements bonds
between a charity and the clients and public it serves. There is a way
to convert this goodwill into "bona fide" attention to the plight
of the worker in the charitable sector.
Charities have armies of volunteers whose opinions count in the ballot
box. The challenge that belies Federation of Volunteer Networks is to
harness this goodwill to shine public attention on the need to make charities
a more desirable and attractive place to work and to give time. It's a
national dilemma that urges us to promptly and vociferously make changes
in the system to make charities more accountable and fair in their employment
and remuneration practices.
-- Roger Richard Breault, President
Fundraising Consultants of Alberta and Speakers' Bureau of Alberta
E-mail us your thoughts today at help@charityvillage.com.
