While that is true they also generally get a lot out of their time than just volunteer work. They get comraderie and a percieved moral uplift plus many other benefits. They way the work is generated is much different as well. The church or charity defines the work and then asks for voulunteers where as the OP is going the other way around.Jumping Frog wrote:A person can feel like their time is fully valued by their sense of satisfaction in accomplishing valued goals or performing good acts, not necessarily by the money earned. Just look at the millions of hours spent by church volunteers. . .n5wd wrote:How much do you value your own time?polisci wrote:My goal is NOT to make money.
While the OP would like to think that CHL candidates would be a generally respectful lot (I think they are) the problem comes when people start taking advantage of your time. If there isn't some sort of cost for people they won't hesitate to bombard you with every tiny whine for help. I think he will quickly find clients sticking him with all sorts of little annoyances like mailing their packets for them, spending way too much time on the phone answering questions, hand holding to ridiculous levels etc...
I will use my experience again to illustrate my point and I can see the same thing happening teaching CHL classes.
I started offer my services editing tracks for dance schools and putting their shows on a master show CD. My first "client" was a lady who did 3 recitals a year in my theatre and I did the work pro bono. I did fantastic work (if I do say so myself) and she began telling other schools and instructors. As I started to do more I began to charge a very small fee. A problem began to quickly emerge. It seemed that a given project would never end. I would get countless calls and emails about this and that. What color sharpie am I going to label the disc, so and so dropped out can you burn a new one, we need 2 counts out of track 6, can you drive over and drop that off, can you drive over and pick that up, and so on and so on. The project would never end. The problem was that since I was essentially free they had no respect for my time or good nature.
I began to raise my fee and began charging my original free client as well. Eventually I found the right price and suddenly my clients were much more respectful of my time and effort. It was a lesson in human nature. Since I didn't show respect for my time and effort by not charging, my clients didn't either. Until I found the right balance I had begun to grow extrememly resentful towards my clients, many of whom were friends and co workers.
As for a CHL class I'm sure people will be much more on the ball dotting I's and crossing T's themselves for a $150 class than those in a $40 class. The people from the "free" class will show little respect towards the instructors time and effort and require an inordinate amount of hand holding. I can see the calls now...."I lost my form can you get me another one?", "I'll be by to pick that up." (no show), and on and on.
If you charge too little your passion will get turned into a chore by the very people you're trying to serve.