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"Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free
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Can somebody explain what exactly we're "volunteering" for when we offer ourselves to a for profit corporation giving nothing back to the community or a charity?

A lot of races/events have taken away the charity element of their profits and are asking for volunteers.

Why do people donate their time to a for profit company/event/race?
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Chris Athey] [ In reply to ]
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Beats me, I always wondered how for profit companies found so many people to slave away for them for free.

I hear for WTC it makes it easier to get in a future WTC event if you volunteer? So work for free THEN pay $800 and you too can be an ironman?!?!?!?
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Chris Athey] [ In reply to ]
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The "volunteers" are effectively subsidizing the race, keeping the registration fees lower.

____________________________________________
Don Larkin
Reach For More
http://www.reachformore.fit/
USAT Lvl1 Coach, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT, BS Exercise Science
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [TriMyBest] [ In reply to ]
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I see what you're saying, but the argument could also be made without financials, that volunteers are effectively raising the profits of the host company.
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Chris Athey] [ In reply to ]
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Chris Athey wrote:
I see what you're saying, but the argument could also be made without financials, that volunteers are effectively raising the profits of the host company.


I know that can be said, but it's likely untrue for the majority of RD's, because it's an open market. Competition will always suppress prices.

____________________________________________
Don Larkin
Reach For More
http://www.reachformore.fit/
USAT Lvl1 Coach, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT, BS Exercise Science
Last edited by: TriMyBest: Jul 8, 15 12:33
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Chris Athey] [ In reply to ]
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Chris Athey wrote:
I see what you're saying, but the argument could also be made without financials, that volunteers are effectively raising the profits of the host company.

Or reducing the losses.


Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [rbuike] [ In reply to ]
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If talking a big company like Lifetime or WTC I'd like to assume profit. Otherwise why be in the game?
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Chris Athey] [ In reply to ]
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Lifetime, WTC, Challenge, etc... are not the majority of races.


Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [rbuike] [ In reply to ]
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No, but when I think about a "for profit" company in the racing game, those tend to be the pack leaders.
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Chris Athey] [ In reply to ]
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Still there are lots of reasons besides charity. For one it can be fun, I had a great time working Boulder 70.3 years ago. As mentioned you can guarantee an entry into a future event that typically sells out fast. Lots of people have lots of reasons and the fact that it is a for profit or nonprofit probably doesn't matter.


Rodney
TrainingPeaks | Altra Running | RAD Roller
http://www.goinglong.ca
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Chris Athey] [ In reply to ]
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Not-for-profit companies also put on races to make a profit. You know that right? Everyone puts on a race to make money.

People volunteer for all sorts of reasons:
-Get involved in the sport
-Support athletes
-Support other charities that have partnerships with the race organization
-Have fun

I also think that it's hugely erroneous to think that any race company (for profit or not) gives nothing to the local community or charity. Take IMLP- for example. Race week itself brings in MILLIONS to Lake Placid area, which doesn't include the countless pilgrimages to the town outside of race week for training. The races themselves encourage charity through participation.






Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Tri-Banter] [ In reply to ]
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Tri-Banter wrote:
Not-for-profit companies also put on races to make a profit. You know that right? Everyone puts on a race to make money.
Verifying here. These are charities. This is different. Here you are volunteering for a charity.


Tri-Banter wrote:
People volunteer for all sorts of reasons:
-Get involved in the sport
-Support athletes
-Support other charities that have partnerships with the race organization
-Have fun
I'm specifically asking in my first post above about companies who are not partnered with a charity. I understand the rest of your points and agree.
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Re: "Volunteering" OR working for a for profit company for free [Chris Athey] [ In reply to ]
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I'm specifically asking in my first post above about companies who are not partnered with a charity.

Can you think of a race company that doesn't have a partnership or charity component? I admit that I'm not wholly knowledgeable in most race organizations but all the ones that spark the most debate have a charity piece. For example:

The WTC has a charity component and partners with charities. http://www.ironman.com/...s.aspx#axzz3fKlysIRl

Rock and Roll has a charity component. http://www.runrocknroll.com/charities/

Even my local race company, Score-This, who puts on fantastic events, has a charity component (see left hand side-bar). http://score-this.com/web/scorethis/volunteer






Take a short break from ST and read my blog:
http://tri-banter.blogspot.com/
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