SPECIAL EDITION
No One Should Work Free
     It seems my editorial on working for free really struck a nerve. In my E-news & notes #025 January 19 editorial, I criticized ABC TV for coordinating with the local chapter of the FPRS to request volunteers to work for free while they were in town shooting Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Here are the responses. Please note, they are unedited and in their entirety.

     I agree with your stance on the ABC-PRSA thing. I thought exactly the same thing when I saw their e-mail! Most of the folks who will do that are employees of a large company who are still drawing a salary while they're out there giving away their skills. They don't have to worry about earning enough from their work to pay the bills because they get a paycheck a couple times a month no matter what they do. One day when they get downsized from that cushy job and go out on their own, they'll understand!
Lynn Maria Thompson President, Thompson Writing & Editing, Inc.

     Thank you for the news letter. Your "Editors Note" on not working for free is right on. Work for the fame of having your picture taken? Excuse me but models get big money for that. Too many companies are asking for free labor these days and getting away with it because, in general, people are generous. Keep up the good work.
Eric H. Coffin - President - Green Energy Engineering, Inc.

     well said David!!
Shawn "Buzz" New - Senior Audio Engineer - Beach United Methodist Church

     I support your stance against ABC's request for free labor. When I'm surveyed I ask "For what compensation?"
Richard Meyer

     I was disappointed to see your column in your newsletter about PRSA's involvement with Extreme Makeover. Everyone on the project - from the trade labor to the builder to the local public relations - donates their services. In addition, many local companies are donating materials, food, equipment, etc to help a local family.
     Our public relations efforts help recruit the local companies and volunteers needed to build a house for a very deserving family in Clay County. At the same time, it's a great opportunity for fans of the show, new pr pros and students to help manage media at the build site for a few hours. While this isn't your typical non-profit, our efforts will definitely make a difference with one local family.
     I'm happy to talk to you more about our involvement if you're interested. Thanks,
Sarah Brown - North Florida PRSA - President

     Hope you're doing well. Haven't talked with you in a while, but your newsletter got forwarded to me today with your comments regarding local public relations professionals supporting ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Candidly, I'm disappointed you didn't ask chapter leaders or those of us participating in the project for our reasoning before making assumptions about why we're doing it.
     Personally, I'm supporting the project because it's the right thing to do. I am a Clay County native, I believe in helping my neighbors who are in need of assistance, and I just happen to have a skill set that is needed. Everyone participating in the project - be it builders, framers, marketers, food, emergency services, supplies, landscaping, and yes - public relations professionals - etc. are donating their time because we believe in the cause. Not ABC. Not the producers. Yes - it's a unique circumstance, but I don't need the credit on my resume and I certainly don't need the experience.
     With regard to PRSA specifically, many of our chapter members DO donate their time to local charities, organizations and causes that are near and dear to their hearts. And this instance is NO different. It's a very deserving family fallen on hard times, and I can think of no better way to give back to MY community than using my specific skill set (let's face it - nobody wants me to be swinging a hammer or trying to decorate a room) to help them. Yes - for some of our younger professionals, it is a way to get some experience on a larger than usual project, but the majority of our folks volunteering are senior-level, seasoned practitioners eager to give back.
     You're right - my time, skills and abilities do have value, and just as you decide whether or not to donate your products, services or time to an organization, I, and my fellow PRSA chapter members, have the luxury of making those same decisions based on our circumstances. It is an honor to be able to do what I can to make just a tiny splash in my hometown, with the hopes that the ripple effect will be felt by my neighbors, my children, my community and my family and friends for years to come.
Bonnie Upright, President - Upright Public Relations, LLC

     Following the release of my newsletter, First Coast News contacted me and asked for an interview. For at least 15 minutes I reiterated my position that ABC TV should be willing to pay for the media services they were asking to have donated. Unfortunately, I am sorry to say that I either failed to properly state my position, or FCN took my remarks out of context. Either way, the headline “Businessman criticizes Volunteering for ABC Extreme Homemaker in Clay County”, is inaccurate, unfair and malicious. And the image they selected to use, well, that should be proof enough which way this story was slanted.
     In the blog that followed, the majority of those who responded were critical of Easy Edit Video. I do not blame them. Their comments were based on a story that lacked objectivity and was a false representation of what I said. Still there were those who recognized the truth.

     I think the point he was making is that the show will make MILLIONS off of this, the core staff is probably very well paid, so basically he feels like the volunteers are being used to further abc's own agenda. I see this gentlemans point, but of course he was probably badly misquoted.
johncb

     So what happens to one of these volunteers who happens to get hurt on the job or worse yet fall and die from their injuries. I've watched the show and they don't follow OSHA standards for fall protection in construction. So will ABC pay for their injuries or are they on their own. One must ask and know this before volunteering for this Home Makeover.
NativFl

     I never seen so many fools on here at one time. Johncb and NativFL got exactly what this guy was talking about. You people can't wait to hang someone without reading as usual. What if someone did get hurt while doing this? Do you really think ABC is going to pay for your medical bills? Go ahead and condemn him like you did while in the meantime ABC just made another million off all those who agreed to volunteer. That's the point people he's trying to make. I did my volunteer work where it did count, when people volunteered work and material with no help from a media station or show.
Mickey9201

     My first reaction, like that of many of you, was to write Mr. Zuckerman off as selfish, greedy or just plain stupid. But then I actually started using my brain, logic and reason and started THINKING it through. Due to the actions of our federal govt. over the last couple of decades, small businesses in this country are hurting badly or have even been destroyed. Anyone might get upset to see their competitors give away their products and/or services and cheapen the product, so to speak. Second, if this was truly an all volunteer project why do not ABC, its executives, producers, and celebrities / actors contribute their funds and or/time to the projects? After all they are selling advertising. What do you all think an advertiser pays for a 30 second ad?
ricardo4max

IN CONCLUSION
     Easy Edit Video strongly supports volunteering. Every year Easy Edit Video donates thousands of dollars of editing and production time to local charities and organizations including United Way, Blood Alliance, South Jacksonville Rotary Club’s Gingerbread House and the First Coast Kids Triathlon. As I said in my editorial, “volunteering your efforts for a cause you support not only benefits the organization, but our community as well.” For 17 years Easy Edit Video has given back to this community and I am proud of the work we have done and the organization we have helped.
     My point, which is specifically directed at journalism, film and media professionals, is that working for free sets a bad precedent. It devalues you as a prospective employee and in my opinion the experience you may gain has very little real world value. Anyone can work for free. If you are good then you should be paid. It is sad when companies come to Jacksonville and try to take advantage of our professional talent. Instead of being awed by the glory and glamour we should demand the same level of compensation they pay their staff.
     In conclusion, I never criticized anyone for volunteering. In fact, my editorial encourages it. ABC-TV is part of a billion dollar conglomerate and their show generates millions of dollars in advertising revenue. That is why they should pay for the PR and media related services they receive and should not get them for free.

THANKS FOR READING
     Suggestions for topics, questions for the author, or simply a comment about what was read, are always welcome. Please email them to david@easyeditvideo.com