''We didn't tell you about important changes because we didn't want to worry you"

[Hatelies]

Regular poster/lurker here under a name change.
I am a volunteer on the Committee of a local branch of a well known, national charity.
I recently discovered that the branch has had a number of important significant changes over the last month or so, including the Area Manager leaving and a new AM taking her place - someone who the others know from years ago, but who I don't know.
In a nutshell, I wasn't told about this and other happenings as "they didn't want to worry me".
I am very unhappy about this, ok I was poorly for a while during the changes, but surely I should have been told??
This is made even worse by the fact that in the line of my volunteering I've frequently gone out of my way, given up my free time and put my personal safety on the line, have had no training, and am frequently excluded and ignored by the other Committee Members and other branch members. Favouritism is also rife.
They have all been with the branch for years.
Sorry if none of this is making sense but at the moment I am hurt and quite angry I have not been made aware of important changes

[Hatelies]

Hopeful bump.

[DotBall]

Plenty of other charities out there. Sounds quite a sour place to be, perhaps consider putting your efforts where they’re more appreciated?

[autumnboys]

It sounds absolutely rubbish, OP and I would be looking for somewhere else to volunteer my time and talents.

[Bitchinkitchen]

So these changes happened while you were off sick? Then i think it's completely reasonable for them to wait to tell you til you were back. It's not acceptable to contact people about work while theyre off sick, it seems to me they just applied the same rules to volunteering. I think you're being very unreasonable here.

[CormoranStrike]

If you are unhappy I would draw a lien under this volunteering role - sounds like it’s not the right fit, and devote your time and energy elsewhere.

[labyrinthloafer]

I think it sounds rather cliquey, and I agree with others to cut your losses, I hope it isn't a charity of specific importance to you for personal reasons? Charities can be really funny places, so a bit like relationship s it is sometimes best to just end it and move on.

[Hatelies]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies.

I think what has happened is the final nail for me. I am tired of being left out and unappreciated.

The sad thing is that as @labyrinthloafer mentioned, it is indeed a charity which has a lot of personal meaning to me, a cause which I am passionate about and which I really wanted to be a part of and to play my part in giving back

I'd heard bullying and general nastiness was common in the voluntary charity sector and now I've seen it for myself.

I think once I've resigned I might put in a complaint to Head Office about what goes on in the branch and how badly some volunteers are treated, but I doubt much will be done.

[ChicCroissant]

The change of AM is not something that would have involved the Committee so while I can see that you feel some concern about being the only person not to know the new AM beforehand, it seems reasonable that they waited until your return to tell you. I don't think the choice of AM would have been down to the Committee and even if it was, if you were absent due to illness I would not expect you to take part in the selection procedure.

It's not possible for us to say if you are being excluded - you seem to feel that is the case.