There's a sector of society that does wonderful things to benefit the communities in which we live. Thousands of people and organizations are working hard to make the world a truly better place. Great things are being done with passion, creativity, and collaboration for life-changing causes that might otherwise be left neglected.

Chances are, you're a part of that work. Chances are, you're contributing, volunteering, organizing, or advocating.

And chances are, you're labeling your work with a term that says nothing about what you really do, that's all about what you don't do.

The term is “non-profit.”

Non-profit organization. Non-profit board member. Non-profit volunteer. Non-profit advocate.

Along with Creating the Future's Hildy Gottlieb, and many others, I want to encourage you to start finding other ways to describe the work you do. As Hildy says in the excellent video below, this term says little more than, “Hi. We have no money.” Naturally this is not the core of what you are.

Hildy suggests a concious effort to move away from the term “nonprofit,” prefering the term “community benefit organization,” instead. Others are leaning towards “social change organization” or other phrases. Finding the next “best” monicker is a debate for another day, if you care to debate it. But at the very least, you should be choosing words that turn the conversation toward the incredible good that your organization is doing.

As a community, let's get beyond talking about what we don't do (that is, making a ton of money for or own private use) and grab a wonderful opportunity to talk about what we DO.

Admittedly, I'm a little late to this discussion. Hildy's been blowing this horn since 2008 at least -- and from the strength and quality of her argument, I'd guess much longer. Take a look at this article, in which she offers 6 Reasons to Use the Term “Community Benefit Organization”. And today she tells me via Twitter that this message is “absolutely” still relevant for our community.

As if to drive the point home again, she Tweeted just a moment ago: “Defining something by what it is not negates its power & potential. It becomes simply ‘other.’”

Watch the video, check out her article, and join the conversation below if you think this relates to where you are as a concerned individual or organization.

Photo credit: “Google @ Outback Steakhouse,” by whurley.