You are bound to see advertisement enticing you to apply for this job through Craigslist, monster.com, college campuses, or a myriad of other websites or venues. They'll insist that you're making a difference. That you're working for the greater good of the environment. I assure, you are doing nothing of the sort. Firstly, this organization does a bunch of political lobbying. If you may be adverse to certain liberal issues as I am they don't disclose that your money will be going to that.
The entire purpose of this job? Knocking on doors asking for donations. That's how you "help the environment." They identify themselves as "Environment Massachusetts" when really they're The Fund for the Public Interest. An organization that has minor involvement with their "advocates" to propose barely significant changes to the environment. While I can't claim to have been involved with any of this "advocacy, " I was a canvasser for the organization for a total of 3 days.
Most of the people "canvassing" are actually college-educated students, after conversing with many of them however I quickly realized WHY they were doing this work with some of the useless majors they attested to studying. Anywho, your first day you will go through an hour or two of training, then you'll by out canvassing, first you exit the office on winter street and go on foot either to the nearest MBTA station or to one of the canvassers car. You'll work closely with a field manager or canvass director for about an hour or two. Then by the time you knock on your first door... You will finally be on the clock... Oops... You didn't know? Yeah, FIVE hours later is when you'll actually be on the clock. You don't get paid up until you personally knock on your first door.
Rain, cold, or sunshine, you'll find yourself pacing back and forth up 2-4 streets knocking on doors. You'll be out there till around 8:30ish disturbing people eating their dinner and get all sorts of unwelcoming reception to the houses you canvass. "Don't worry, " my canvass directory, Joey, would tell me, insisting that there are some people okay with these antics. I figure 9 out of 10 people gave us not-so-warming welcome at their front doors.
Job security in the company is a nonexistent. Again, I was let go after three days. My work history involves detailed experience as a sales rep being the recipient of many bonuses and praise by my managers. I've sold some of the most ridiculous products imaginable and for the life of me I could not see many people giving to this, which they didn't. You have a $125 quota you must be making daily otherwise you're basically yelled at by your directory, Joey. If you don't eventually rebound they assume it is inability on your part and you're let go.
Believe it or not I actually walked into this thinking I'd be doing serious advocacy as this job was related to my college studies. They say they want people passionate about the environment but the reality is all you need to be able to do is read off of a script. Anyone can do this, they may as well have put this in the talent section of Craigslist to catch the attention of starving actors waiting tables. Both would have the same effect. God only knows how much of these peoples donations actually go towards helping the environment as this money goes towards political lobbying and supporting or opposing the campaigns of politicians.
This is my first non-profit company I've ever worked for and found it to be a complete and utter joke which greatly disillusioned the way I view non-profits now. I trust most don't operate in this fashion. Stay far far away from organization. Oh, and they promise you 9-12 dollars on the website? That is only if you make quota, you'll make $9 per hour. If you don't make quota you make $8. More false advertising. The case I make here is nothing. See a similar horror story by an actual canvass director that quit before he was fired: http://www.angelfire.com/indie/fundislying/FundIsLying.html
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