Ethical Travel - Street Fundraising
It’s the festive season and the world is aglow with kindness, goodwill and charity. Ha - who doesn’t love a joke at Christmas? The reality is that the streets are crowded, nerves are frayed and the only glow to be had is the sweat you get from wearing too many layers in overheated shops. As they struggle along with bags and boxes, the last thing people want is to be accosted by someone with a clipboard and a mouth full of good intentions. The timing is wrong and sometimes harsh words are uttered as patience snaps and tempers flare. Street fundraisers are just doing their jobs and although money might be asking too much, everyone could afford to be more generous in spirit. These ’chuggers’ and passers-by won’t always see eye-to-eye, but goodwill - not grief - is the only thing to spread during the holiday season.
Story Highlights
- A Moment of Your Time Please
- Rules and Regulations
- Thanks But No Thanks
A Moment of Your Time Please
This is usually how the conversation between a street fundraiser and a potential donor begins. It sounds innocent enough, yet some see this as the opening act to a deceitful performance aimed at conning people out of their cash. Sometimes it’s: “Girl with the beautiful eyes” or “Young man with the intelligent face.” Yes, fundraisers get flirty or cheesy to get your attention, your time and perhaps your donation but this is because charities know there’s no substitute for face-to-face communication. Also this type of fundraising for these organisations is an efficient way of engaging a wide demographic of potential donors.
Rules and Regulations
In the UK, street fundraising is monitored by the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA), a charity-led, self-regulating body that sets guidelines for this and other types of face-to-face fundraising. If you’re wondering about the legality of street fundraising, the association’s code of practice is the place to start. The code states that fundraisers must disclose whether they’re volunteers or paid workers and that fundraisers must always carry ID for public verification. It also says that once a donor is signed up, fundraisers should explain how their charity will communicate with them after the subscription is made. The code states that fundraisers must always represent their charity in an appropriate manner. No rude, crude or manipulative behaviour will be tolerated. You’ve probably heard the negative hype about ’chuggers’, but the majority of street fundraisers - like most of the people they approach - are OK. But if the code’s been violated, the PFRA (www.pfra.org.uk) is the place to go to lodge an official complaint.
Thanks But No Thanks
“We were basically told to make as big a presence as possible on the street. Flailing arms, be bubbly, loud but not offensive,” said a former street fundraiser friend. While they need to be personable and persistent, rejection is an occupational hazard for many fundraisers and it also helps to be thick-skinned. So if you don’t want to hear the well-practiced spiel, a polite: “Thanks, but no thanks” is all that needs to be said. “If you do that, the fundraiser must desist from the engagement and failure to do so would be a breach of the code of practice” says the PFRA’s Ian MacQuillin. Giving is optional, but politeness shouldn’t be, so mind what you say and how you say it. Also just when you think you’ve nothing to give - not a penny or a second to spare - think again. Manners cost nothing, but once graciously bestowed, they help keep the seasonal goodwill going the whole year round.
- Jackie Reddy
