Confessions of a charity professional
The small charity I worked for used tight budgets as an excuse to neglect staff Charities need better leaders with the skills to keep their employees motivated and happy – whatever the financial constraints
My mental illness has always affected my work, but at last I feel supported Employers need to create a culture of understanding to make best use of diverse talent, not vilify people for their differences
Money troubles almost broke the charity I founded Council cuts and running services at a loss quickly tipped my organisation from an annual income of £2.5m into the red
'Founder syndrome': the strong personality crippling my charity Anonymous Their passion and commitment are crucial in the early years, but founders too often become stubborn and dictatorial. They must know when it’s time to go
As a charity boss, I despair of Victorian attitudes ruining our good work Anonymous Inept volunteer trustees are driving chief executives like me out of the sector, exhausted by the power struggles, competing agendas and amateurism
My expertise as a volunteer was wasted when I got stuck with basic admin Anonymous I was keen to use my comms skills to help the local branch of a national charity, but my efforts were wasted - an all-too-common experience for volunteers
As a charity fundraiser, I don't need a lecture from inexpert trustees Anonymous I’m a professional fundraiser. Trustees who once organised a raffle and now think they know it all are just wasting my time
My charity's finance manager stole thousands of pounds under my watch The figures she produced were rubbish. It was a huge and complicated mess
I'm lucky – my manager supports me with my depression I can’t sugarcoat it: disclosing my mental health condition was terrifying. But an employee’s experience shouldn’t depend on their manager’s disposition
What I’ve learned as a young charity CEO Rosie Tressler After six months as a charity leader I’m ready to share my top tips – including saying no and listening to grassroot supporters
My charity boss's bullying still haunts me My confidence was shattered, but now I know I have the courage to walk away from a bully
I work for a charity I love, but I’m still treated like a volunteer When a charity asked me to move from volunteer to paid manager I was excited – but now find my voice isn’t being heard
I defended chuggers, until one turned up on my doorstep Anonymous We need to hold our hands up and admit we’ve been getting charity fundraising wrong
My child, raffle tickets and 15 charities made me a better fundraiser Many organisations supported me during a difficult time, and taught me how and when to approach beneficiaries about donations
In my job with a small charity, I was fundraising for my own salary It was badly managed and the trustees stepped in too late. I felt let down when they had to let me go
My dream job left me feeling worthless After landing the perfect role at my favourite charity I felt excited and smug. I soon learned that I was just a cog in a machine
I'm a charity trustee and I'm terrified of being the next Alan Yentob Now more than ever, the stakes are high for charities and as a young board member I’m not really sure I know what I am doing
Registering my small charity has stripped it of its purpose I started my charity to make a difference, but the paperwork means I have less time to support those it was set up to help
It's hard to lead a charity, especially when you've got to unblock the toilets Anonymous It enrages me when people devalue charities. I’m working so many hours and doing six people’s jobs
The way charity workers encourage slactivism is dangerous Anonymous We’re failing the next generation of activists by pretending sharing photos and posts on social media is the same as campaigning for real change
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