I am writing this article as an advisory from one non-profit director to another. I am extending advice from my own experiences in hopes that I can prevent other good natured people from entering into uncomfortable and complicated situations. My experiences are also coming from working within the non-profit sector in Indonesia. However, due to the universal nature of charitable work, I am sure our experiences parallel across the globe.
Most non-profit organizations, charities, grassroots groups, and foundations are started by individuals with large hearts. Their hearts are so large that they sometimes outweigh their skills, therefore these people are trained in the toughest way possible, on the spot. These people generally find a need, and there are many in this world, that they feel is lacking or being ignored, whether it be healthcare, education, environment, conservation, water sanitation, sustainable development, woman’s issues, and the like. From here the individual jumps head first into assessing and addressing these needs and after an evolution, an organization is born. In some cases, these organizations grow into the Peace Corps, and in others they remain small and community based (both cases are effective). However, one of the fatal flaws of these ‘save the world’ individuals is that while they have chosen to sacrifice many things and run out into the jungle of charitable work, they often fail to notice that not everyone is following them. Yes, one of their false assumptions is that everyone is self-sacrificing for the sake of bettering humanity. And from this, problems can bloom.
There are many scams out there made by people who use social organizations for their own motives or needs. In some situations, the motives are harmless and in others, they are detrimental. Most social organizations are unaware of these scams until they have happened to them. Generally, they happen in cases where an individual person comes to or contacts an organization under the guise of a volunteer or donor. I will outline the most common occurrences below, starting with the less serious incidences moving towards the more serious ones. The less serious scenarios may only cost the organization some time, the more serious may cost a lot more.
1. The escape artist
Okay, this person can be mildly harmful and usually shows up to an overseas organization in the form of a volunteer. These people are usually running from something emotional in their lives, for example a bad relationship or a bad marriage. When they arrive to help, they are usually emotionally unstable. At some point, they honestly believed that assisting in a good cause will alleviate their pain or remove them from the bad space they were in. However, they don’t actually care much for the cause at hand. What actually happens is they require counseling when they arrive, and the project directors are now providing support instead of receiving it. In more serious occurrences, individuals have alcohol or drug abuse problems they are running from, and action must be taken immediately as this is NOT an organizations responsibility unless you are AA.
2. Mid-life crisis
This type of person is not always a hazard. However, be aware of certain signs. This person will come to you or your organization as a solution to their choices in life. Perhaps they went immediately into business or never paid much attention to humanitarian needs in the world. They have worked 9 to 5 for the past 35 years, and never even considered tossing a coin into a beggar’s hand. Why, all of a sudden, are they approaching your organization to offer help? Well, usually to do some good before it is too late. This may not always be unfavorable towards your organization, as it could come in the form of a donation. However, it also may not be coming from a sincere place within their hearts and could be short lived.
3. Alternative vacation
This situation speaks for itself. Many of the worlds neediest and poverty stricken places are also the most beautiful. Consider for a moment Indonesia, India, Haiti, Mexico, I could go on and on. They are also tourist destinations. Many people contact social organizations in order to offer their time as volunteers so that they can have a thriftier holiday and a load of connections in their desired destination. Again, this is not incredibly harmful but takes up time and is not the most sincere reason for supporting humanitarian initiatives.
4. Visa scams
Many organizations offer visas as a benefit to joining their organization as a volunteer. Many countries have strict visa policies, and tourists are only allotted a brief time period to look around and have a holiday. Some people are not satisfied with this and approach non-profits as a potential volunteer in order to receive a longer term visa. In many cases, they are nowhere to be found after these visas are granted. In sketchier situations these individuals are looking for more than an extended holiday, they are looking to work illegally, and in some cases, sell drugs. Now your organization is responsible for them!
5. Account scams
If anyone ever emails you and claims they want to give you $ 100,000,000 from their dead uncle who owned a sugarcane plantation, just delete it and move on. These are scams and that is all I have to say.
6. Missionaries
If your foundation has no religious affiliations, there is probably a reason you have chosen this. Some individuals will use social organizations as a platform to proselytize. In order to proselytize, it is important to be integrated into a community and to provide some valuable service. For these reasons, coming as a social worker is perfect! This can potentially be a high risk situation for your organization and the communities you work with. There are many foundations with religious affiliations for them to choose from.
7. Predators
This is positively the most dangerous of all types. These are the people who seek out young children and/or women as prey to their totally dysfunctional needs. These people come in the guise of teachers and friends, and usually want to help in order to gain trust and move quickly inside a community. In many cases, they also offer money to keep anyone who is suspicious quiet. These are by far the most dangerous people to prey on your organization, and if any suspicion arises, action should be taken immediately!
Above I have only outlined a few situations that could potentially arise. I hope none of them ever happen to you or your organization. In most cases people are good, however my main advice is to use discernment. Before allowing someone to help your organization, make sure you know something about them. Make sure you have some sort of screening process or background check for individuals offering to assist you. In most cases, you will not be disappointed.
We cannot focus on our causes if people are taking our attention away for their own needs or if we are putting the communities we work with in harms way. Most of this can be prevented with a little precaution. In order to weed out bad seeds, just follow this little piece of advice; use discernment.
