2 years volunteering, not even a card??

[Workforfree]

I've volunteered for a children's centre for 2 years, 6.5 hours a week to begin with, then 3 hours a week whilst my child was in nursery. I decided to volunteer as it was easier than travelling home after dropping said child off and I was craving adult company. I only volunteered in the office, doing filing, typing, all the menial jobs such as shredding etc. Sometimes there was no work for me, but I was always willing to do any little jobs they had and was crying out for work. I was under the impression I had made some friends there, we would all talk, give advice, listen and so on and as far as I was aware, at times I was quite useful.
Anyway, my AIBU is, I finished my volunteering this week as child is moving up to school and will need to find paid work, they barely even registered it was my last time there, no card, nothing. AIBU to be really hurt by this and think that a card was not that difficult to do?

I'd like to say thank you op. Where would we be without people who volunteer their time to help others

"I'd have not expected a card but maybe a thank you."

Maybe a thank you? Oh dear.

OP - YANBU. Poor form on their parts.

We think you are great

It's a thankless task volunteering. I had no option but to volunteer and I did so for several years. Yes, in two instances I could claim expenses. It's on my CV but I still can't get a job.

I'm never volunteering again

They are twats. I wonder if they bother to give cards to people who did paid work there when they leave? Consistency says they wouldn't bother then, either, as paid employees only turn up for the money, just as you only bothered to turn up because you didn't want to go home, apparently...

That's really shitty, OP. I'm a teacher and I always get the parents who volunteer in my class a little something to say thank you at the end of the year.

I was so scared to post this in case everyone screamed at me saying "you were volunteering why do you deserve a card?" Thank you all for making me feel a bit better about it. I told them I'd visit the things they are doing over the summer holidays, but I don't even want to see their faces again now.

YANBU - I helped out at the local preschool so my dd could have a full day and not go home for lunch on a particular day. On one of my two days off for a year I made sure I was available. With me being there it then meant that more children could stay for lunch meaning more money in the coffers.
When I left (after giving them plenty of notice for the next term) all I got was an 'oh, ok'.
And I still had to pay £1.50 for dd to attend the lunch session!!!!

That's really crappy. What a rotten bunch.

Oh - and it was every child taking a pack up, I wasn't thinking free food or drink for her!

A parent governor at ds school left recently after 14 years volunteering and no one bothered with a card or even bothered to turn up to a farewell drink at the pub which they organised themselves. I felt incredibly sad for them. They have said they won't ever bother volunteering again.

I do think organisations really should think about showing appreciation to their volunteers, without them they would not exist and they will struggle to recruit if people think they're not appreciated.

You can have my card. I have a card from a bunch of horrible bullies that have made me miserable every day for months. you are welcome to it.

As a teacher, I make sure I thank all the adults who come in to volunteer. Tomorrow I'm going loaded with thank you presents for parent helpers so they know they're appreciated.

Reinette, that is beyond shitty! 14 years, giving their time and nothing. Bet she/he felt like they were useless.

That's lovely stillwaiting

YADNBU OP. I 'm involved with a charity which relies heavily on volunteers. It's very apparent to me that the paid staff are lacking in gratitude when it comes to the volunteers. They're lucky if they get a Hello when they arrive in the morning, never an offer of a cuppa or so much as a thank you as they leave. Surely the volunteer at least deserves a thank you for working for free!

So rude and ungrateful. Makes me seeeeeethe.

I second kkkkaty. Volunteers are woefully unappreciated. OP, you've put good karma into the atmosphere so you'll get thanks from that 😄

Abit shocked about the mn who applied for the job, didnt get it but was asked to keep volunteering. Terrible behaviour (not the mnteer the childrens centre)

It's common LondonRach, I was asked to continue to help run groups etc, but only as a volunteer.

We had someone leave recently after just five months (because his contract came to an end) and we gave him a card and a £50 gift voucher. What a mean bunch your former colleagues are. You're well rid!

If the volunteers at my local children's centre were treated like this I'd be mortified esp as they helped me through some tough times post partum. I don't think it's too much trouble to get a card tbh. My Mum volunteered at a school for several years and was barely acknowledged when she left despite giving ample notice. She was very upset about it I seem to remember.

I worked in a cafe for a year and when I left I didn't get so much as a thank you or a card another place I worked in for 5 years when I left same thing again not a card or a thank you nothing. It's shit I understand why your hurt.

It's shit, OP. It's not about deserving or wanting or whatever. It's a common courtesy, and hopefully something you can put in a keepsake box.

I'd have bought you a card

It's a bit shit but not a surprise. We have a relative who volunteered for years in a charity shop. She actually injured herself there, hurt her back really badly and decided she couldn't continue. They barely said cheerio to her after all those years and her getting hurt on their premises!

I volunteer for two organisations.
One I am always thanked, as soon as the session starts the superviser (paid) makes a round of drinks and any sort of occasion - leaving, ill, moving house, having a baby etc you get a card. A volunteer died and the manager went to their funeral. This organisation has maybe 7 part time paid staff and 50+ volunteers.

The other has mostly paid staff and a few volunteers. You get asked to do more and more but rarely get thanks. They change the times of things and don't tell you. I got treated to a meal to say thank you only to later discover the staff member who took me out paid out of her own pocket. And yet they have a good reputation in their industry for volunteering.

hatofdoom thats low!! I always try and volunteer in places where they benefit from free help and i get the work experience i need. That way everyones a winner. I think its mean not to acknowledge what you dl though

I should add that I work in a school and so many things wouldn't happen without parent volunteers. The staff always make sure to thank them and have coffee mornings at Xmas and the end of the year to say thanks. It doesn't take much.