Quit volunteering me for typing!

[KellyHabersham]

To whom it may concern -

I realize that some of you at church may not have a computer at home and at times may need something typed up. I do not always mind helping you out, but PLEASE keep in mind that just because I'm good at typing does NOT mean that I know a lot about word processing software. (In other words, please ask me first before assuming that I'm able to do something)

And to my mom - please stop getting frustrated with me just because I don't know how to do something on the computer. Yes I did work as the church secretary for a few years, but it HAS been at least three years, and my office computer did not have the same software which our home computer does.

[gremcint]

To quote the Joker, if you're good at something never do it for it free.

[Rageaholic]

To quote the Joker, if you're good at something never do it for it free.

Lol I love that quote.

Who knew a total psycho could have such good advice?

[Salted Grump]

To use the old line, 'Just because he's a psycho doesn't make him stupid.'

[thealmightymalachi]

Lol I love that quote.

Who knew a total psycho could have such good advice?

I tend to use a variation on that.

"You're a (blank), could you do this for me for free?"
"Sure."
*when, a few weeks later, it isn't done*
"Um, so when is that going to be done?"
"Oh, when I have some free time I can spend on it. You see, I have a host of other things I get paid to do that take precedence. If I'm paid I tend to bump it up in my priority queue."
"Oh, well, we really needed it done by X date."
"In that case, if you like I can charge you the family and friends rate, or you can provide me with a 501C3 form of professional volunteer donation so I can mark my labor off against my taxes as part of a donation."
"Uh...."

It's kind of like the Shel Silverstein thing:
"Dirty dishes, such an awful dirty chore / If you drop one on the floor / maybe they won't let you wash the dishes any more."

For baseline word processing and transcription services, my consulting company charges $1 a page single voice or notation, minimum 250 pages, with addons for editing, proofreading, formatting, and conversion (assuming $25 an hour baseline). Simply asking for a receipt of donation so you can claim it as a deduction on your taxes may get them to look for other su...I mean volunteers. ;D

Treat yourself as a professional, and expect the people who ask you for favors to do so as well.

TINSTAAFL applies to being "voluntold", as well.