the organization I volunteer with is exploding in drama and rage-quitting — what should I do? by Alison Green on July 25, 2023 A reader writes: I’ve always loved horses and owned two for several years. A few years ago, after my last horse died of natural causes, I reached out to a local not-for-profit that provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for veterans, physically challenged children and adults, etc. to donate leftover feed, saddles, etc. I was really […] Read the full article →
a higher-up is pushing an unwanted volunteer on us by Alison Green on February 1, 2023 A reader writes: This descriptor is helpful and accurate, so I’m going to borrow it: “I work in a cultural/academic/nonprofit institution, and am part of a professional community small enough that I don’t wish to identify it, lest one of my colleagues identify me.” There’s a hierarchy within my institution, and someone (Martha) higher up […] Read the full article →
how do I fire a volunteer who’s not getting her work done? by Alison Green on September 15, 2021 A reader writes: I am the president of a local industry society with an all-volunteer board of directors. We have a very large project that one non-board volunteer eagerly agreed to lead. It was supposed to start last fall, but due to circumstances beyond her control, it’s just now getting started. We gathered up a […] Read the full article →
my boss wants me to ask a rejected problematic job candidate to volunteer by Alison Green on May 19, 2021 A reader writes: I was wondering what your thoughts are asking a rejected job candidate to volunteer at our organization. It’s a complicated situation, because the candidate has been very involved here and has a good background, except for his condescending tone, tendency to ramble, overwhelming eagerness (to the point of it being uncomfortable), and […] Read the full article →
my volunteer is into BDSM and wants to be a servant at our living history events by Alison Green on November 19, 2019 A reader writes: I am a volunteer for a nonprofit where I help coordinate volunteers for big living history events. At these very popular events, skilled volunteers sign up to be a person from history and portray the historic hierarchy of race, gender, and class for visitors. I have known for several years that one […] Read the full article →
I’m too sick to do a volunteer job — but they’re insisting I attend anyway by Alison Green on August 29, 2019 A reader writes: I signed up to a volunteer at an event a few months ago, on the condition that if I dropped out it was my responsibility to find a replacement. (I know, lesson learned, I will not be signing up again). I’m representing a business/community group but I myself am unpaid; our payment […] Read the full article →
my employer pressures us to volunteer for its charitable events by Alison Green on July 10, 2019 A reader writes: I work at a for-profit company that sponsors a few charitable events each year. These events always bring us at least some clients later on, which is why my company does them (although it’s under the guise of helping the community). Our executives strongly encourage staff to volunteer. The tasks are separate […] Read the full article →
my contact won’t stop pressuring me to volunteer while I’m on medical leave by Alison Green on May 17, 2018 A reader writes: I am a part of an international volunteer organization that is not doing very well at the local level. I am also disabled with a number of conditions that have all chosen the last few months to give me trouble, leaving me unable to contribute. I really like participating in this organization […] Read the full article →
a volunteer group I founded years ago is devouring my life by Alison Green on April 12, 2017 A reader writes: Almost five years ago, while I was in college, I founded and incorporated an all-volunteer nonprofit (“AVO”) in my hometown. A group of friends wanted to do it because we liked the field but couldn’t find another organization that provided appropriate opportunities, and I was cajoled into leadership. Now, it’s a drain […] Read the full article →
I feel guilty that I flaked out on a volunteer job by Alison Green on July 8, 2016 A reader writes: My first year of college, I signed up to volunteer as a hotline operator at my local rape crisis center. I went through the required online training, the in-person training, and applied/paid for all of my required clearances. However, once I actually started volunteering, I realized that, due to my own experiences, […] Read the full article →