Volunteer leadership evidence for MC?

Stage 1
1

Hi all,

I’m struggling how to describe one of my main evidences, and I think I confused TechNation given their feedback. Specifically I’m nervous if I should make it clear I am unpaid for my main MC evidence, or if that makes it look less serious.

My work at this company I feel is my most impressive though, so it’s a bit of a dilemma.

I volunteer heavily (probably 20h/week, if not more) in addition to my day job for a non-profit that builds an open-source social media platform focused on the international and travel communities. I am the Lead Frontend Developer there, on the Board of Directors and in the 3-person leadership group with the Cofounder and President and Head of Support that meets bi-weekly to make major (technical) decisions and decide priorities for the company.

We are non-profit mostly because we want to solve the problems we believe need solving without investor pressure. We are open-source for transparency and accountability (and so if we lose the mission someone could fork us and continue on, for example).

The problem is I think the company has too many categories (open source, non-profit and a tech company) and I confused TechNation. They gave this feedback:

*The work with Couchers is not a non-profit organisation or social enterprise with a specific focus on the digital technology sector. (for my MCs)

–and–

The work with Couchers has been discounted as she cannot both be a employee and volunteering outside her occupation per OC2.

I passed OC2, so I’m less focused on addressing that, but it signals this company confused them. They basically discredited everything from this company in my application even though I believe it’s my most impressive work (I passed OC2 and OC3).

My appeal will be for the MC only. Do you think it’s better to explain I am a volunteer to clear things up, or should I just focus on showing how we are in the digital technology sector (our software is our only product and central)? I’m afraid people assume volunteering is less serious, even if I spend almost all my free time on this.

Besides me not being paid it functions as a regular tech company. We have an engineering roadmap, we do sprints, we have weekly developer meetings, we write tickets scoping our features and epics, etc.

I just don’t want them to reject me again because they are still confused. Has anyone else used unpaid work for their MC?

2

Hi,

If OC2 and OC3 are approved then you have every right to focus on MC appeal only.

Based on details provided above, Your appeal should clearly showcase that your MC evidence for NGO :

  • was pro-bono (although guidance just mentions outside of the work that necessarily doesn’t mean you can’t get paid).

  • Working for digital product led NGO (clearly).

  • If you have included any evidence were it ties your NGO work led growth for digital technology sector within evidence (this is the ultimate goal they are looking of you being potential leader leading the industry).

Now since you cannot add new evidence, your appeal should cover all 3 points from the existing evidence submitted.

Developer tickets, epics and meetings just potrays your involvement with the NGO and not the wider digital sector progress, Tech Nation is looking for.

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Thank you for your response!

4

Based on past applications I’ve seen, it’s important to focus on how your work directly contributes to the digital technology sector. Highlight the technical aspects of your role, such as leading sprints, managing engineering roadmaps, and making key technical decisions. Emphasize that the organization operates like a tech company, with structured processes and a focus on delivering a digital product.

You should also clarify the nature of your involvement. If your work is unpaid, frame it as pro-bono leadership in a digital product-led organization. This is also essential if you want to present this evidence in OC2.

Finally, ensure your appeal ties your contributions to the broader growth of the digital technology sector. For example, explain how your leadership has driven innovation or solved significant problems in the industry. Use existing evidence to show measurable outcomes or recognition of your work. This approach will help Tech Nation see you as a leader shaping the future of digital technology.

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This is a great reminder, thank you! Pro-bono is a good way to frame it, and not untrue.

6

Adding a little update here in case it’s useful to anyone later.

I ended up appealing and getting endorsed.

In terms of volunteering I did end up mentioning it in the appeal, explaining that I worked pro-bono approximately 20hr/week. I went back-and-forth but since they specifically seemed confused with how I was working two jobs at the same time I thought I should clarify it. Of course I also made sure to focus on how our company was contributing to the digital technology sector, and that I was using this pro-bono work to gain experience in running a company.

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