| Pages in topic: [1 2 3] > | Announcing the Pro Bono Project Thread poster: Andrew Morris
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All over the world as we speak, good work is being done by volunteers. From aiding refugees to rescuing animals, from teaching underprivileged children to staffing a local charity shop, this quiet work goes on day after day, carried out by unsung heroes. And at times, as in the recent case of Ukraine, we witness mass mobilizations of people power that are truly inspiring.
Sometimes this voluntary work can take place within specific professional contexts. Lawyers take on cases pro b... See more All over the world as we speak, good work is being done by volunteers. From aiding refugees to rescuing animals, from teaching underprivileged children to staffing a local charity shop, this quiet work goes on day after day, carried out by unsung heroes. And at times, as in the recent case of Ukraine, we witness mass mobilizations of people power that are truly inspiring.
Sometimes this voluntary work can take place within specific professional contexts. Lawyers take on cases pro bono, doctors join Médicins sans Frontières, teachers deliver weekend or evening classes or head out to countries where their skills are much needed.
And translators? We who have the gift of languages and the ability to build bridges between cultures are no exception. While we may well be volunteers in other capacities already, giving of our time as translators can make a huge contribution in a world where problems are rife (and getting rifer by the day) but funding is scarce.
With this in mind, ProZ.com is launching its very own brand-new in-house service, offering pro bono translations in special circumstances, to worthy and carefully selected partners.
I’ve been put in charge of coordinating it. The vision is no less than a thriving hub of excellent causes and equally excellent translators giving just a little time and support to help make the world a fairer and better place.
In the coming days and weeks I'll say more about how this will work, and what we have learned from similar experiences in the past. Looking forward to working with you and hearing your constructive views on how to make this a project that benefits all who are involved.
See https://go.proz.com/probono for further details
The posts in this forum will all apply to this particular project. It's not like others that have taken place in the past. I'll be happy to answer questions concerning what makes this one different. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Newton 
United States
Local time: 01:04
Japanese to English
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| pro bono project | Oct 10, 2022 |
Considering the rates many agencies pay, there are already many translators who are already working almost pro bono.
I would like to see a proz.com project which centered on getting rid of the riffraff agencies and concentrating more on quality agencies.
| | | | Stepan Konev
Russian Federation
Local time: 08:04
English to Russian
| I am in (EN>RU) | Oct 10, 2022 |
Andrew Morris wrote:
I’ve been put in charge of coordinating it. You can count on me. Presently I work for TwB but I still can accept more jobs like that. Here is my score count and the list of clients:
Don't hesitate to contact me for EN>RU projects.
| | | | | Excellent news | Oct 11, 2022 |
Thanks Stepan. Drop me a line at [email protected] and we'll get you set up in the database.
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expressisverbis
Portugal
Local time: 06:04
Member (2015)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| I agree with both sides | Oct 11, 2022 |
I agree with Michael's view, he's right, and I would like to see the same, but I also have to agree with this 'project'.
In the past I have worked for TwB too, but it happens that my time is very limited.
I would like to help with animal welfare translation if any, because 'the more I learn about people, the more I like my... cat.'
Anyway, there is already a lot of pro bono help on Kudoz and a lot of pro bono assistance and advice on these forums.
It doesn't hurt to help... See more I agree with Michael's view, he's right, and I would like to see the same, but I also have to agree with this 'project'.
In the past I have worked for TwB too, but it happens that my time is very limited.
I would like to help with animal welfare translation if any, because 'the more I learn about people, the more I like my... cat.'
Anyway, there is already a lot of pro bono help on Kudoz and a lot of pro bono assistance and advice on these forums.
It doesn't hurt to help those who really need it.
On the other hand, it also doesn't hurt to offer better options such as good companies and clients, to us, translators who help make Proz.com stand out. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Drop me a line | Oct 11, 2022 |
Thanks Expressisverbis!
Of course the two issues are quite separate. But I'd love to hear from you if you're interested in helping out in whatever capacity. Drop me a line at [email protected]
Yes, you're right, in any professional world we all help each other in myriad ways, not all of which are monetised. And I certainly hope everyone is also pursuing productive and well-rewarded relationships with clients ... See more Thanks Expressisverbis!
Of course the two issues are quite separate. But I'd love to hear from you if you're interested in helping out in whatever capacity. Drop me a line at [email protected]
Yes, you're right, in any professional world we all help each other in myriad ways, not all of which are monetised. And I certainly hope everyone is also pursuing productive and well-rewarded relationships with clients in a position to pay. ▲ Collapse
| | | | David GAY
Local time: 07:04
English to French
+ ...
Andrew Morris wrote: All over the world as we speak, good work is being done by volunteers. From aiding refugees to rescuing animals, from teaching underprivileged children to staffing a local charity shop, this quiet work goes on day after day, carried out by unsung heroes. And at times, as in the recent case of Ukraine, we witness mass mobilizations of people power that are truly inspiring. Sometimes this voluntary work can take place within specific professional contexts. Lawyers take on cases pro bono, doctors join Médicins sans Frontières, teachers deliver weekend or evening classes or head out to countries where their skills are much needed. And translators? We who have the gift of languages and the ability to build bridges between cultures are no exception. While we may well be volunteers in other capacities already, giving of our time as translators can make a huge contribution in a world where problems are rife (and getting rifer by the day) but funding is scarce. With this in mind, ProZ.com is launching its very own brand-new in-house service, offering pro bono translations in special circumstances, to worthy and carefully selected partners. I’ve been put in charge of coordinating it. The vision is no less than a thriving hub of excellent causes and equally excellent translators giving just a little time and support to help make the world a fairer and better place. In the coming days and weeks I'll say more about how this will work, and what we have learned from similar experiences in the past. Looking forward to working with you and hearing your constructive views on how to make this a project that benefits all who are involved. See https://go.proz.com/probono for further details
I don t understand why high quality translations are needed for NGOs which help refugees or to cure people who only speak their mother tongue and also most of the time english.
Beside, Microsoft, Google... those are the kind of companies strongly involved in this kind of projects. The same that are involved in improving MT. Strange coincidence... Funding are scarce...LOL...It seems those companies have more than enough money to fund MT...
Are you sure that physicians who work for Medecins Sans Frontieres don t get any kind of financial compensation
the answer is here
https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Doctors-Without-Borders-Médecins-Sans-Frontières-1/salaries
Doctors Without Borders | Médecins Sans Frontières salaries: How much does Doctors Without Borders | Médecins Sans Frontières pay?
Job Title
Popular Jobs
Location
United States
Average Salaries at Doctors Without Borders | Médecins Sans Frontières
Management
Director
$169,957 per year
yeah, I wish Proz gave us this kind of philantropic work
You should read the excerpt of the study available on internet published in the Journal of Foreign Language Teaching and Translation Studies,
ISSN: 2645-3592 Vol. 5, No.3, September 2020, pp.1-30 1
The Ethics of Volunteerism in Translation:
Translators without Borders and the Platform Economy written by
Attila Piróth
Independent Scholar
www.pirothattila.com
and Mona Baker
Centre for Translation and Intercultural Studies
University of Manchester
[email protected]
[Edited at 2022-10-13 09:30 GMT]
[Edited at 2022-10-13 09:32 GMT]
| | | | | Apples and oranges | Oct 13, 2022 |
Thanks for your input David.
I can reassure you that Microsoft and Google have absolutely nothing to do with this project. Not all voluntary projects are the same.
Re Médicins sans Frontières, you are of course quoting the Director's salary of a major global organization. But maybe you're right – it's not the best comparison, because doctors for MSF are devoting months or indeed years of full-time work, performing operations and indeed saving lives on a daily basi... See more Thanks for your input David.
I can reassure you that Microsoft and Google have absolutely nothing to do with this project. Not all voluntary projects are the same.
Re Médicins sans Frontières, you are of course quoting the Director's salary of a major global organization. But maybe you're right – it's not the best comparison, because doctors for MSF are devoting months or indeed years of full-time work, performing operations and indeed saving lives on a daily basis.
Finally, I read and thoroughly enjoyed Attila's article some days back when reflecting on how this initiative would proceed. There was much to learn from it, and this project will certainly try to avoid some of the mistakes he points out, emulating the more positive examples he cites.
I've also recently visited Attila's website at http://www.pirothattila.com/author/admin3125/, and was inspired by the following quote: « Ne doutez jamais qu’un petit groupe de citoyens engagés et réfléchis puisse changer le monde. En réalité, cela se passe toujours de cette manière. » ▲ Collapse
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| Registered non-profit within ProZ? | Oct 13, 2022 |
Andrew,
I am no legal expert, but I am curious to know how this could be done without registering a 501c non-profit.
ProZ.com is a privately owned, for-profit company, and as such US labor regulations would prevent it from using volunteer work. Volunteer work at for-profit companies is especially problematic if the nature of the work itself is something that is normally done for payment and/or by employees.
On the other hand, if it is a registered non-profit, then there is leg... See more Andrew,
I am no legal expert, but I am curious to know how this could be done without registering a 501c non-profit.
ProZ.com is a privately owned, for-profit company, and as such US labor regulations would prevent it from using volunteer work. Volunteer work at for-profit companies is especially problematic if the nature of the work itself is something that is normally done for payment and/or by employees.
On the other hand, if it is a registered non-profit, then there is legal/financial control, which strengthen trust from all parties, and also translators could possibly "donate" their work and account for it on their tax return (i.e. get tax benefits). ▲ Collapse
| | | | | You should find finance | Oct 13, 2022 |
Andrew Morris wrote: All over the world as we speak, good work is being done by volunteers. From aiding refugees to rescuing animals, from teaching underprivileged children to staffing a local charity shop, this quiet work goes on day after day, carried out by unsung heroes. And at times, as in the recent case of Ukraine, we witness mass mobilizations of people power that are truly inspiring. Sometimes this voluntary work can take place within specific professional contexts. Lawyers take on cases pro bono, doctors join Médicins sans Frontières, teachers deliver weekend or evening classes or head out to countries where their skills are much needed. And translators? We who have the gift of languages and the ability to build bridges between cultures are no exception. While we may well be volunteers in other capacities already, giving of our time as translators can make a huge contribution in a world where problems are rife (and getting rifer by the day) but funding is scarce. With this in mind, ProZ.com is launching its very own brand-new in-house service, offering pro bono translations in special circumstances, to worthy and carefully selected partners. I’ve been put in charge of coordinating it. The vision is no less than a thriving hub of excellent causes and equally excellent translators giving just a little time and support to help make the world a fairer and better place. In the coming days and weeks I'll say more about how this will work, and what we have learned from similar experiences in the past. Looking forward to working with you and hearing your constructive views on how to make this a project that benefits all who are involved. See https://go.proz.com/probono for further details The posts in this forum will all apply to this particular project. It's not like others that have taken place in the past. I'll be happy to answer questions concerning what makes this one different.
This is wrong approach to go to the translators and ask them to sacrifice something from their lives.
Correct approach would be as follows.
1- You should create finance for pro bono activities. For example you may involve or attract attention of the companies such as SDL, MemoQ, Memsource etc... shortly speaking CAT and Localization tool developers.
Also you may involve localization giants, translation companies.
2- By the participation of big fishes in the industry you may create a budget. They donate budget for pro bono projects.
3- After the above steps you should go to translators. And ask them participate in pro-bono projects with the 50% lower rates they declared on proz.com within last 3 months.
4- Translators translate pro bono works, invoice their works, and payments sent after 1 month (and you may send a monthly digest to donators (how many paid, which languages etc, a monthly general digest)
5- After establishing those structures you should create a pro-bono translations site (or a separate page here) and announce there the target audiences. Hospitals, animal organizations, environment organizations, accommodation organizations etc (attention to politics, you need very careful staff)
6- As for the donators you may visit Google, Microsoft, Apple. They may act surprisingly and put big finances. But target not all at the same time. Target one of them and take donations no matter how much time does it take. If one of them donates, others will feel themselves obliged too. İmage thing. Also you may create a donation account for pro bono initiative.
Current initiative is wrong.
No body wins here.
There is no pro bono in this world.
We have enough source for everything and everyone.
But as most of the people wants more money without working, due to that fact sources (finances, ownerships) controlled by small groups. Those small groups have high standards. They are thinking more, planning more, working more. Thats why sources (money) accumulate in their ownership.
Now you should create an initiative to make everyone win here.
You are saying lets help the victims (human, animal, environment)
But by asking the translators help victims, you are making translators victims too.
All my suggestions here were for text (written) translation.
Pro bono interpreting initiative work is more complex and has very big opportunities.
In ınterpreting activities you may convince mobile giants like Samsung, Apple, Motorola, etc.
Currently your aim and intentions are good.
But its damaging everyone.
Those are my opinions,
No offense,
Best,
M. Ali
[Edited at 2022-10-13 18:25 GMT]
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Empty post | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Empty post |
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If people want to donate their time, let them do it. If you don’t, don’t!
| | | | | Will leave the legal details to the experts | Oct 14, 2022 |
Katalin Horváth McClure wrote:
Andrew,
I am no legal expert, but I am curious to know how this could be done without registering a 501c non-profit.
ProZ.com is a privately owned, for-profit company, and as such US labor regulations would prevent it from using volunteer work. Volunteer work at for-profit companies is especially problematic if the nature of the work itself is something that is normally done for payment and/or by employees.
On the other hand, if it is a registered non-profit, then there is legal/financial control, which strengthen trust from all parties, and also translators could possibly "donate" their work and account for it on their tax return (i.e. get tax benefits).
Thanks Katalin. Rest assured that the ProZ.com team has and will rely on legal experts where needed. The initiative is in its very early stages, and Andrew is here to talk about the vision and some of the general aspects of how the program might work. I think we can leave the legal speculation aside for the moment.
| | | | | Let it breathe a bit first | Oct 14, 2022 |
Ali Bayraktar wrote:
This is wrong approach to go to the translators and ask them to sacrifice something from their lives.
Correct approach would be as follows.
1- You should create finance for pro bono activities. For example you may involve or attract attention of the companies such as SDL, MemoQ, Memsource etc... shortly speaking CAT and Localization tool developers.
Also you may involve localization giants, translation companies.
2- By the participation of big fishes in the industry you may create a budget. They donate budget for pro bono projects.
3- After the above steps you should go to translators. And ask them participate in pro-bono projects with the 50% lower rates they declared on proz.com within last 3 months.
4- Translators translate pro bono works, invoice their works, and payments sent after 1 month (and you may send a monthly digest to donators (how many paid, which languages etc, a monthly general digest)
5- After establishing those structures you should create a pro-bono translations site (or a separate page here) and announce there the target audiences. Hospitals, animal organizations, environment organizations, accommodation organizations etc (attention to politics, you need very careful staff)
6- As for the donators you may visit Google, Microsoft, Apple. They may act surprisingly and put big finances. But target not all at the same time. Target one of them and take donations no matter how much time does it take. If one of them donates, others will feel themselves obliged too. İmage thing. Also you may create a donation account for pro bono initiative.
Current initiative is wrong.
No body wins here.
There is no pro bono in this world.
We have enough source for everything and everyone.
But as most of the people wants more money without working, due to that fact sources (finances, ownerships) controlled by small groups. Those small groups have high standards. They are thinking more, planning more, working more. Thats why sources (money) accumulate in their ownership.
Now you should create an initiative to make everyone win here.
You are saying lets help the victims (human, animal, environment)
But by asking the translators help victims, you are making translators victims too.
All my suggestions here were for text (written) translation.
Pro bono interpreting initiative work is more complex and has very big opportunities.
In ınterpreting activities you may convince mobile giants like Samsung, Apple, Motorola, etc.
Currently your aim and intentions are good.
But its damaging everyone.
Those are my opinions,
No offense,
Best,
M. Ali
[Edited at 2022-10-13 18:25 GMT]
Thanks for weighing in, Ali. I'd like to ask you, and anyone else participating in this discussion, to hold off a bit on the pessimism until we see what it is all about. And as much as it pains me to do so,  let me echo Ice Cream's post by saying that there will be people for whom the project is neither compelling nor interesting, but there will be others for whom it is, and they should be allowed to participate in this discussion and the project if they choose to.
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