“I do know that a few organizations I belonged to when I had other professions used those types of people mercilessly, running them ragged because they were the only ones who had time to work for the organization.”

The other people that get run ragged are the ones who can’t bring themselves to say “No” to a friend or acquaintance, even though they’ve already got an overloaded work and volunteer schedule. If it goes on long enough, their health is jeopardized from the stress.

I’ve been a volunteer coordinator in the past, and I find it helps to privately let that person know, “It’s okay to take care of yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Go rest before you get severe burnout and can’t function. If such-and-such activity is SO important to the organization, someone else will pick it up to keep it going if you stop doing it.” There’s something about hearing this from another human being that makes it easier for the “can’t say no” people to feel less guilty about taking care of themselves.

Also, I’ve noticed a perception problem of how the self-employed are viewed as volunteers. “Control of one’s time” is seen as being the same as “having lots of free time.” So for those preparing to freelance for the first time, be aware that you’ll run into this attitude on occasion.

Carolyn