It’s been several news cycles since this story came out, but it still resonates with me: equal pay for equal work.
US Soccer will pay their professional players – women and men – the same. This was announced May 18 with little fanfare. It was so understated, I double checked to make sure I heard correctly.
Their collective bargaining agreements guarantee equal pay, equal performance payments, identical roster bonuses, equal accommodations, a 50-50 split of broadcast, partner, and sponsor revenue.
THIS IS HUGE!
I played soccer for a few years until I tore up my knee. I started when my kids were playing. It looked like fun, and I’d never done anything like that before. I didn’t know anything about the game, and I mean nothing. I played for two or three different teams and had a great time until one night I went to kick the ball, pivoted, and heard my knee tear.
But what does this have to do with fundraising and nonprofits? My short-lived soccer career: nothing. Equity: everything.
Are you a C-level, a director, a manager? What are you doing to make sure your team receives equal treatment, equal opportunity, equal pay and benefits?
I remember when it was considered poor form to talk about salary. You just took what was offered. Those days are behind us and not just because of COVID. People in the workforce now are more confident in their worth and understand compensation and benefits a lot better than I did in the early days of my career.
Of course, there are still some people who wield power and believe what’s between our legs is more important than what’s between our ears, but we’re gaining on them.
Do your part. Don’t settle for second best or second class for yourself or for your team.
And remember to join me every Thursday at noon, CST, for About Fundraising to learn more about fundraising!
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