Passion or Pay?

The media has been full of stories about the wonderful Games Makers at the Olympics and Paralympics.  David Cameron had publicly rubbed his hands with glee and announced that what this country needs is more volunteers like these.  That's one way to solve the government's debt problems - get everyone to work for nothing.

There is no doubt that the Games Makers have been brilliant.  The whole world is talking about them but has everyone missed the point?  These people weren't amazing because they were unpaid.  They were fantastic because they are the most interesting, inspirational people who were passionate about what they do.  And when people are passionate about something they will often do it regardless of what they personally get out of it.

The problem with not paying people who are passionate is that eventually they stop.  The Games Makers couldn't continue to work for nothing.  I assume they have mortgages to pay, children to feed and clothe. After a while they would start to wonder why they are bothering to be brilliant for no reward when they see Boris Johnston is getting paid loads and guaranteeing his re-election.  Most, when interviewed have said that while they enjoyed it they would never do anything as 'grandiose' as that again.

Today I had coffee with a friend who is passionate.  She's passionate about art (music and drama included) and her town and so she has ended up giving up hours and hours of her time to be on a committee to organise a Christmas Fayre in the the town.  I kept asking, "Why?  Why are you doing this again?  Didn't you learn anything from the last Committee we were on?  We said we'd never do it again?"  Some people just can't help themselves.  Most people organise things because they get something out of it.  A sense of belonging, kudos, a backhander (no I'm sure that doesn't ever happen in our Town!), a place for their business, or putting their children in a good position.  But that's not true for everyone who volunteers.  Some people do it because they can see it needs to be done.  When you are passionate about the Arts in a town with two warring councils and no Art's Development Officer, someone has to organise these things.

I very nearly volunteered to join her on the Committee but I managed to resist.  Luckily,  I also managed to resist organising all the Primary School's in the Town to sing at the event. I know a job needs to be done but I'm going to trust that it doesn't need to be done by me.