Just came across this piece from RSM – and thought it a good piece to share, it’s worth the read.
What’s in a word or a phrase? Well sometimes a lot. Whether we appreciate it or not much of the language we use carries considerable extra weight and meaning due to history, perceptions, and baggage connected with it.
I was fortunate a while back to attend a seminar by Vicki Sykes on the topic of Business acquisition in the community sector in New Zealand. Vicki is an interesting speaker and after 17 years as a CEO of a South Auckland charity she followed her passion to step back and do a University thesis on the topic of her presentation.
One of the quotes that Vicki used (and forgive me for not knowing to whom this should be attributed) was:
“Remember that being a charity is a tax status; not a business model.”
That line struck me as powerful. One because of its simplicity. But perhaps more so due to it making me question my use of the word charity. There are so many assumptions we attach to a word. These are built up over time and become unquestioned. But when we sit back and consider them, sometimes we see that maybe these assumptions and perceptions we attach to a word can hold us back.
When I ask others, especially businesspeople, about the word charity as it relates to organisations, there seems to be a common understanding that this is an organisation that does good. People understand that they exist to serve some social or community benefit. The word charity is also associated with giving without expecting anything in return. A very noble attribute.
Yet these understandings or assumptions about the word charity when considering a charitable organisation also seem to blinker some people in their attitudes towards the organisation and how it operates.
Keep reading here
What are your thoughts?
charitymattersnz.com 