“I DON’T WANT VOLUNTEERS!”

When I met Bill, he was trying to understand how the business and community of Neuro- Semantics work so as to advise me about our non-profit status. I had just informed him that Neuro-Semantics was not a franchise or a for-profit organization.

“So your organization runs on volunteers!” he commented.

“Well, we are an association of professional men and women who share a vision about Self- Actualization Psychology and how we can use it for personal development, leadership development, effective communication, and modeling expertise in hundreds of areas.”

“Well, it sounds like a volunteer organization to me.”

“If you are suggesting that people become associates or partners by their own personal willingness and commitment, then yes. But I find that the term ‘volunteer’ is actually completely inadequate and, in fact, creates some false impressions. That’s why I don’t look for or want volunteers in Neuro-Semantics. It is why I never use that term.” From the look on his face, I could tell that my response surprised him.

“You don’t want volunteers and yet in your organization you do not hire or fire people. Don’t they have to volunteer to belong?”