A Completely Serious Rant About a Completely Ridiculous Policy
Let me tell you about a government program that:
- Costs your nonprofit thousands of dollars annually.
- Increases heart attacks by 24%.
- Spikes car accidents by 6%.
- Tanks workplace productivity by 5-7%.
- Confuses your volunteers.
- Disrupts your programs.
- And was designed to save candles during World War I.
It’s called Daylight Saving Time (DST). And I’m here to tell you why the nonprofit sector should be leading the charge to destroy it.
“Why does your entire country, except for 2 states, mandate self-inflicted sleep deprivation two times per year for no upside at all?”
– Anyone looking at this absurd practice from the outside
The Nonprofit Math Nobody Wants to Do
Let’s start with the money.
Because nonprofits love talking about impact per dollar.
Re: Productivity
Studies show productivity drops 5-7% the week after time changes. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates this costs the U.S. economy $434 million annually in lost productivity. Just from being tired. Twice a year.
Now let’s extrapolate that to your organization. If you have 10 staff members with an average salary of $50,000, that’s $500,000 in total compensation. A 6% productivity loss for one week equals roughly $575 in lost work. Multiply that by two time changes per year: $1,150.
Re: Fundraising & Volunteers
Your email campaigns the week after time changes see 15-20% lower open rates. If you send 100,000 emails at a $1 cost per thousand, that’s a $100 campaign. A 20% drop in engagement means you just lit $20 on fire. Twice a year.
Your volunteer no-show rate increases 12-15% the week after time changes. If you have 50 volunteers scheduled that week at 3 hours each, that’s 150 volunteer hours. At an estimated volunteer hour value of $33.49 (Independent Sector’s 2023 rate), you just lost $5,024 in volunteer labor. Twice a year.
Add it up: $1,150 in staff productivity + $40 in campaign losses + $10,048 in volunteer disruption = $11,238 annually. For a small nonprofit. Doing nothing wrong. Except existing during Daylight Saving Time.
Re: Health
The Monday after we spring forward sees a 24% increase in heart attacks. A 6% increase in fatal car accidents. A 5.7% increase in workplace injuries.
Re: Impact on vulnerable communities
DST is particularly disruptive for nonprofits serving low-income communities and children. For families living below the poverty line, the time change can exacerbate already challenging circumstances, leading to increased stress and decreased access to vital services. Children, especially those in early development stages, face significant learning disruptions due to altered sleep patterns. This means nonprofits focused on education and child services spend more time managing behavior and less on impactful learning.
A Brief Timeline of Daylight Saving Time
- 1918: DST was first introduced in the U.S. to save energy during World War I. Imagine it: a time when saving a few candles was considered a national security measure.
- 1942-1945: Year-round DST, known as “War Time,” was implemented during World War II.
- 1966: The Uniform Time Act standardized DST across the U.S., but energy costs for lighting are now a fraction of a fraction compared to the wartime era.
- 2007: DST was extended further, supposedly to save energy, but modern lighting efficiency makes this rationale as outdated as rotary phones.
The Absurdity of It All
In summary, Daylight Saving Time is a relic from an era when people thought saving an hour of daylight would save the world. Instead, it leaves us with sleep-deprived children, stressed-out parents, and nonprofits scrambling to pick up the pieces. It’s time for the nonprofit sector to lead the charge against this absurdity. Because, really, who needs more heart attacks and burnt-out volunteers?
Call to Action: The Sunshine Protection Act: A Beacon of Hope
Enter the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill introduced in Congress that aims to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, effectively ending the biannual clock change. This legislation could save nonprofits from the annual chaos of disrupted schedules and decreased productivity. By eliminating the need to “spring forward” and “fall back,” the Sunshine Protection Act promises to provide a more consistent and healthier routine for everyone involved. This is the kind of change that could truly brighten the days of nonprofit workers and volunteers nationwide.
WHAT YOU CAN DO – don’t call congress…
CRY to CONGRESS about this bill
Contact your Congressperson and let them know that Daylight Saving Time is more than just a minor inconvenience—it’s a major disruption to our health, productivity, and nonprofit effectiveness. Push for change and help end this outdated practice once and for all.
Find your congressperson and contact info
Literally Cry About it -> press play and tell them this is what we deal with every DST. Please support the Sunshine Act H. R. 139
Facts if you want, but really please just play the crying baby.
“I am from this district, please pay attention to the Sunshine Bill”
- Health Concerns: Highlight the 24% increase in heart attacks and the rise in car accidents and workplace injuries following the time change. Emphasize how DST negatively impacts public health.
- Economic Impact: Point out the estimated $434 million cost to the U.S. economy annually due to lost productivity from DST-related fatigue. Stress how ending DST could boost economic efficiency.
- Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Discuss how DST disproportionately affects low-income families and children, leading to increased stress and learning disruptions. Nonprofits serving these communities face added challenges during time changes.
- Nonprofit Sector Strain: Explain how DST disrupts nonprofit operations, leading to volunteer no-shows and decreased engagement in fundraising campaigns. This results in significant financial losses for organizations doing critical work.
- Historical Context: Remind them that DST was originally implemented to save energy during World War I, a rationale that no longer applies in today’s world of energy-efficient lighting.
- Support for the Sunshine Protection Act: Advocate for the Sunshine Protection Act, which aims to make DST permanent, eliminating the biannual clock change and its associated disruptions.
- Consistency and Well-Being: Emphasize the benefits of a stable, consistent time system that supports better health, productivity, and quality of life for all citizens.
- Public Support: Mention that public opinion is increasingly in favor of ending the clock changes, and that it’s time for legislative action to reflect this sentiment.
Sources
- Wikipedia – Daylight Saving Time in the United States: A comprehensive overview of the history and rationale behind Daylight Saving Time in the U.S.
- Time and Date – Daylight Saving Time in the United States: Provides details on how Daylight Saving Time is observed in the U.S., including start and end dates.
- Time Magazine – Daylight Saving Time Where States Stand on Changing the Clocks: Discusses the current debates and state-level actions regarding Daylight Saving Time.
- United States Naval Observatory – Daylight Saving Time: Offers historical context and data on the implementation of Daylight Saving Time.
- Newsweek – These States Want to End Daylight Saving Time for Good: Explores the growing movement among states to eliminate Daylight Saving Time.
- National Geographic – America’s Daylight Saving History: Provides insights into the historical attempts to make Daylight Saving Time permanent and the challenges faced.
