Is this fair to us volunteers?

[purpleheart12]

Hi,
A lady has set up a much needed parent and toddler/baby group. There are lots of different types of toys/activities the lady offers nice snacks (homemade cakes/sausage rolls) drinks, healthy snacks for children. We have visits from local businesses (photographer's/baby print makers) as well as health visitors/dentists etc there is no set structure but different areas for messy play/imaginative play, reading, there is a music corner and music playing in the background and a dedicated baby corner. She has nobody to help her but has asked me if I would run a storytime/singing session at the end while she washes up etc. Now I'm very happy to volunteer to do this but I know that she does pay herself a small amount every month from running the group. Of course I don't mind this and am happy to give up my time to help but as the group does get grants shouldn't she be reinvesting all the money made back into the group? She's a lovely lady but I'm not sure if there are rules for receiving grants?

@purpleheart12

Sorry I'm not sure I was clear. There is a committee of sorts herself, myself and another lady who helps. She does pay herself I think a small amount and it was brought up at our meeting as another mum said to her that apparently she shouldn't be paying herself anything if she gets funding that we should all be volunteer's blah blah. I wasn't attacking her at all she's a god send but she's worried she's doing something wrong and I just wanted clarity so I could go back to her and reassure her! Sorry for the confusion!

Each grant has different expectations. I am a paid charity worker, whilst others are unpaid volunteers. We gain funding, all legitimately. Sometimes the funding is ring fenced for specific projects, others there's no such restrictions.

Oh dear op!

Surely the money that she 'pays herself' is to cover the costs of the ingredients for the food that she makes, drinks etc?

@TabithaTittlemouse

Oh dear op!

Oh double dear! Is it to set up a rival group and you do want to pay yourself? have no intention of running it as a business but would be nice to make a little from it (pocket change really) could I fundraise for it et...

How much is she paying herself for how many hours?

Ha! To answer the question you’re actually asking OP, grants usually specify appropriate spending - typically when you apply you state your budget under different headings. Some grant givers follow up wanting receipts etc, some don’t, but broadly you’d want to stick to what you’ve applied for. And some funds have overarching rules re acceptable spending/organisations (eg no political activity).

So you want to be paid for singing a few songs for, what?, 10 minutes or so?? I'm sure you delve into the free food on offer, that is payment enough!

How much does she pay herself ?
How many hours does she work total , not just the hours in situ but the behind the scene organising too?
What does she 'get' out of it?
What do you get out of it ?

Perhaps when it's realised she gets perhaps £1.50p per hour for all the headache of this others might not be so keen to comment negatively

If you are just concerned she maybe putting herself in a bad position because of tbe grants.....why is your question if its unfair on the volunteers?