Voluntold

Coined words have impact.  Automatically, when you read the title, "Voluntold", you realize the implications. After chairing a productive meeting for one of my nonprofit organizations, the staff liaison and I were debriefing.  She asked another staff member (one of her direct reports) to join us as we recounted the opportunity to construct a survey  for the group.  He quickly shared the term "voluntold" when we explained his role in the survey.

Though he was eager to assist, it reminded me that many of us love to volunteer for causes that match our passions. However, when we feel that the option is not ours; rather there is an expectation to participate it feels like we are being voluntold.

We all like options and volunteering creates far more options than voluntold.