Mick adopts a chugger 4

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 20 Nov 2008

The term chugger has long been a bone of contention in the voluntary sector, but now the man charged with regulating face-to-face fundraising across the UK has claimed it as his own.

Mick Aldridge, chief executive of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (pictured), has used the I Can ‘Adopt a word' campaign to officially make the blend of ‘charity' and ‘mugger' his own, reasoning that "it is used to describe the dedicated workers my organisation represents".

But Aldridge's action may not sit well with Lindsay Boswell, his counterpart at the Institute of Fundraising, who recently took issue with the use of the word ‘chugging'.

Boswell said: "The word is offensive and does not reflect the valuable work face-to-face fundraising does to engage with donors."

The term ‘chugger' was first coined in the UK in 2002 during a media backlash against face-to-face.

In adopting the word, Aldridge has not only attempted to take the sting out of its tail, he has donated £20 to the I Can charity children's communication charity, which works to change the lives of children with speech, language and communication difficulties.

For others who may want to take a leaf out of his book, there are plenty of other charity-related words still available, including donor, philanthropy, fundraise, and even charity.

Directory: Institute of Fundraising | Public Fundraising Regulatory Association
Who's Who: Celina Ribeiro | Lindsay Boswell | Mick Aldridge

Place a comment

Charlie Simpson
Director of Fundraising
I CAN
14 Nov 2008

Personally, I think all words are wonderful and everyone should buy one!

Re: Lindsay's mystery word...here's a clue.

It begins with 'B'

Happy hunting! www.adoptaword.com

[Reply]

Anthony Baumann
Head of fundraising
RSPCA
13 Nov 2008

The word chugger is in the public domain and in everyday parlance beyond our sector and beyond our control. The position is no different to that of 'junk mail' - now in every local council's services directory, recycling literature and voter registrations. The only answer now is to embrace, celebrate the activity, do it well and defuse its original meaning. The nation's short attention span should help us on our way to convert its original derogatory meaning into something beneficial to society.

[Reply]

Mick Aldridge
Chief Executive
PFRA
12 Nov 2008

Dear PF

Thank you for noting our recent adoption of the word "chugger", but I think it is a little unfair to try an drive a wedge between ourselves and the Institute over this.

I share Lindsay's distaste for the all the negative connotations attached to it, but I thought that in the circumstances it would be far better that we at the PFRA gave a happy home to this poor, benighted little word than let it risk abuse and trauma at the hands of one of face-to-face's detractors.

It'll be safe with us from now on!

[Reply]

Lindsay Boswell
CEO
Institute of Fundraising
12 Nov 2008

I took issue with the word as I have always believed that some fundraisers find it offensive. If Mick thinks the word is Ok then its Ok with me.

The real importance of this story is the promotion of I CANs wonderful, wonderful website with adopt a word as the fundraising hook. Every charity should look at this simple idea executed with simple and clear brilliance as an ecommerce masterclass in action.

I adopted a word, two weeks ago but not telling you what it was !

[Reply]

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