Charity diversity

During the time I've worked in the voluntary sector it's struck me how it 90% of staff seem to be female 20-somethings. In my last job there were just two men on the staff! (including the CEO, now that's a surprise!). I found it quite difficult coping with the 'sameness' of the charity's culture. Is it because people lose their idealism after 29? Or is it perceived that charity jobs are 'soft' and won't offer much progression? I think it's an area that needs to be addressed - I was only a few years older than most of the others in my last job, but I found it very difficult to relate to them. Now that I'm working for an organisation that's a bit more diverse it's much easier and I'm certainly more relaxed. It's not just indiividuals that benefit from diversity (it's funny using that word as I'd associate it with encouraging women to participate!), surely charities are losing out on other people's skills and knowledge? Anyway, I've just read this:

NCH pays off fundraiser after claims of bullying

NCH has paid a former employee an undisclosed sum in an out-of-court settlement after he alleged that he was bullied and discriminated against because he was black and gay.
....
"Other NCH employees often referred to the company fundraising team as the 'Pony Club' as it was very clique-driven and mainly consisted of white, female, straight, blue-eyed blondes," he claimed.
....
However, it is understood that the charity disputes the claims made by Francis, including the allegations about the 'Pony Club'.

And we're off...

Well well well, her stomach was rumbling more than mine! But it never really got off the ground - we just discussed processes, so of course she asked me what I thought about them... so we just went on about how I felt about this. I kept saying I wished I wasn't so accepting of things ("so how does that make you feel?") but at the same time if I don't actually have any complaints... And when she asks me 'how does that make me feel?' it sends me into a panic. It was really hard going.

She felt that maybe I was nervous at what I was about to get myself into.... maybe I thought she'd mistreat me (??!). so I said that up until recently i'd become rather cynical about therapy and would have laughed at myself for doing this but now I really do think it could help. But all in all, I feel it was a bit of wasted time. I know it probably brought up some good stuff, but I would've preferred to get on with things, not have to discuss my feelings about things like money, times, etc. (I know I know)

Theraped

He didn't even help me open the door on my way out when I was having difficulties. I also thought he was going to say he didn't think I should do it. He kept asking me what I thought of psych - why didn't I have lots of questions, 'you're very accepting'. When I tried to explain that I was finding it hard to think of what to say but I had read books and talked about it to people, he chided me that I had to bring my whole self with me for these kind of things. "How will you cope looking deeply at yourself?" I went bright red and jut wanted to cry! Then there were all his questions about why I wanted to do it - he didn't accept my answer of "I hope it might help me, my problems, etc" - "Surely you learned about this in sociology?" I managed to get to a "I used to think it was society that had the most effect on people but I now think it's important to look within as well". I'm sure he harrumphed when I said this. Also, I really couldn't answer all his questions about what was it exactly that I liked about my most recent therapy... erm i dunno er it made me feel uncomfortable erm i er ah em. He then told me that I'm accepted for it! (after all that horribleness) then he launched into "why don't you have many questions about this when you're about to start very intensive therapy?

Big house in a nice leafy street though.