THROWING THE UNEMPLOYED A BONE – Positive or Negative Message?

May 24, 2014 I recently read an article, “TUESDAY BUZZ: SHOULD YOU THROW UNEMPLOYED MEMBERS A BONE?” I found the title offensive. For me, it conjured feelings that the writer demeans those that are unemployed, and are not worthy of belonging to a group or association as a member. Secondly, to throw someone a bone, other than a dog, I visualized a leper, ignored and despised, because of a disease.

Many folks are unemployed. Our country has been in economic decline for five years, with the number of applicants applying for positions far out weighing jobs available. The median income has also declined. Those that are unemployed look to industry groups or associations to network and stay current in his/her field. It not only gives the person looking for gainful employment a sense of belonging, moreover, it provides a forum to learn about job openings.

The article asks the reader if he/she should give unemployed members a discount on their dues, or even a reprieve from paying the membership dues, hence, “throwing them a bone.” The idiom, throwing someone a bone, implies that you are giving him/her a small incentive, or some kind of benevolent words to make the person feel good even if they have not really contributed much.

“The benefits are plentiful—your association could be a big part of a future success story—but the risks are high. If it doesn’t work out, you’ve lost a year of revenue from someone who’s spinning their wheels.”

Content is key. A group’s message is a reflection of its brand. There are two statements made in the article worthy of BRAND thought

“They have not really contributed much.”
“Someone who’s spinning their wheels.”

What do these statements convey about a group’s brand? Has the group asked the unemployed person to contribute by writing an article for a newsletter, serving on a committee, or presenting an industry topic as a thought leader? Conversely, has the unemployed person, who is passionate about the industry, tried to contribute, and experienced shunning like a leper? Why does the group feel that the unemployed person is spinning his/her wheels? Has the group extended itself to look at the situation realistically? Are there jobs available in the area that the unemployed person resides that utilizes his/her skill sets and experience? What efforts has the group made to avail the unemployed person resources to transition to gainful employment? Is it because this person cannot, (unable) or will not (deliberately chooses or decides upon a course of action) join the group as a member?

Leprosy is a disease that a person if inflicted with. A leper does not choose leprosy. He/she cannot eliminate it. Rather, a person with a diagnosis of leprosy can take an antibiotic regimen and engage in good skin care to prevent the disease from destroying the body.

Perhaps in the future a vaccine will eliminate leprosy, an ancient scourge altogether. Maybe our economy will rebound, and the supply and demand of the job market will shift. There is a hopeful outlook; however, it goes far beyond the scope of a leper and an unemployed individual. It is more than throwing them a bone.

“What you don’t want is your membership thinking that it’s some kind of club, or just handpicking people.”

—Louise Ristau, CAE, executive director of the Awards and Recognition Association, on things to consider in your awards-selection process.

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