Compensating Retired Individuals to Work in Nonprofits

(Editor's Note: Robert Chambers is the president of Bonnie CLAC, an innovative effort in New Hampshire that helps low-income people buy reliable used cars -- essential for getting to work and taking care of their families. He's received a flood of attention, including a profile in Time magazine, since being named one of the Purpose Prize finalists. )

He posted this on his new blog on the Innovation Summit site:

"The Purpose Prize inspired me to begin considering the creation of paid part-time positions for retired individuals for Bonnie CLAC. The compensation might be very modest (low) in comparison to what the individual made in a full-time career. The positions might include such flexibility as being able to take off 6 weeks in winter to visit a warmer area along with other vacation time. I have spoken to a number of retired individuals, and for many, compensation is a measure of self-satisfaction and commitment. Wealthier individuals may become so involved and enthusiastic that they donate their salary back to the organization. I do not believe that this will replace volunteerism, but for jobs for which the nonprofit needs regular professional help, it might get you a more qualified reliable individual. I believe that the compensation will inspire a greater sense of reliability and commitment, both for the organization and for the individual. It might be easier to skip a golf game on a sunny day if you are being compensated for your commitment, and the nonprofit may be able to gain reliable and committed workers that otherwise might stay on the side lines. Would this help your nonprofit? Do you have any thoughts about specific ways to recruit such individuals?

--Robert Chambers

Comments

[Rob Johnston]

I'm convinced that the successful incorporation of a variety of hiring approaches (part-time, contractual, commission-based, etc.) is necessary to make the most of the available experienced people. Nonprofit employers need to be wise and understand that they must offer employment in more than one form. They will benefit when they do. I have posted an entry about the subject, sharing some resources and linking to our discussion of the subject. See it at: http://2nonprofits.org/flexible_work