The ME Association: We are seeking a research correspondent to join our team!

I have just read the post on the MEA website. It's regular employment for a few hours a week plus attending writing up conferences. And it requires someone with relevant science qualifications and good communication skills.
I find it odd that there is no mention of salary or employment contracts and only a 200 word application asked for, not a CV, or equivalent, as well. Does this mean they are expecting it to be done by a volunteer for nothing?

@Russell Fleming

 

Thanks Andy, I missed that bit.

 

I find that a little bit patronising, but perhaps I'm in a prickly mood this morning.

Edit - probably mostly just me in a prickly mood - I'm glad that it's a paid position.

 

I think it is positive that they are able to offer a limited hours role that’s still paid. As some who only 2 years ago had to apply for ill health retirement because I could not reliably maintain 15 hours a week working in a team this sort of role where you can work at your own pace for a few hours a week is very very difficult to find. I was already in a large organisation and I couldn’t find any options like that.

For someone who’s had ME as a younger person and health might have eventually improved enough for them to feel they want to try to get into work for the first time it must be horrendously difficult to find an opportunity that doesn’t put your health at risk of deteriorating because the hours and type of work are too much of an over exertion. I think the sense of purpose from a job you enjoy or being a writer or charity volunteer i or whatever floats your boat can make a big contribution to how you feel about yourself. I know I felt good about getting Millions Missing off the ground in my old city and making it happen last year.

 

The MEAssociation has distinct funds and fundraising for research and services to members. I think if they decide they want someone with science qualifications and communication skills to report on current research with a regular weekly commitment and able to attend and report on conferences, it's reasonable to expect to pay that person. Larger charities that charge membership fees are doing so on the basis of providing a continuous service to members, not just whatever they can find volunteers to do.

I agree it's great when volunteers are available to make best possible use of them where possible, and save some of their funds for research if that's the basis on which donations and membership fees are collected.

 

Yes, it's a tricky thing. If people are bringing their skills and their effort to do something of worth regularly, should they be expected to do it for free? Often the people who are most expected to work for free, and who do work for free, are the people for whom a small salary would make the biggest difference.

I've seen this in organisations with some paid healthy employees, but some volunteers with ME/CFS who do at least as much and bring many skills with them.

But I agree with your point, @Dolphin. It gets most complicated when there is a mix of paid and volunteer workers and the volunteers are carrying substantial responsibility.

 

I agree, @Dolphin, it's great when volunteers can save charities money that can be spent on research. As a volunteer here myself, I am certainly in favour of those who can volunteer doing so.

 

£10/ hour. Not science journalist rates then.