[PeeBee]

Tin
I've never worked for the RNLI, although I have been pulled out of the water by them once, but I spent several years as a volunteer for another national charity which has local branches all over the country (and much of the world) each branch was expected to do it's own fundraising and contribute a portion of funds raised to the central pot, the contribution paid for top class administrators, national phone lines, publicity etc. Few people can afford to work for nothing or less than their market value and if we want institutions to be well run and managed then we have to pay for the right people to do it. I can see that in an ideal world people might be able to take a few years off and donate their time and expertise to the charity but in reality most people are parents, husbands, wives etc and have to also do what they feel is right for the other people in their lives. I'd love to go and do something more altruistic with my working day but my kids and ex wife might feel that I was being a little selfish. That's why I choose to volunteer in my spare time donating what I can in time and effort. Besides I like my sports, my house etc. and choose to work in the commercial world.

Now if the RNLI would like to hire me I would do the very best I could for them but during working hours I would want paying a commercial rate so that I could meet what I see as my obligations to my family.