To wonder what the point of volunteering for this charity is...

[viccat]

I joined the management team at a local charity in December after doing other volunteering for them for 6 months before that. It is a small charity, run by the founder as the top boss (who pays herself...) and a team of volunteers in admin/management roles (me and two others currently after 3 others quit!) and other volunteers in more hands on roles, with animals.

The person who runs it is known for being critical and I knew that when I joined. But it has been relentless. Almost everything I and the other management team volunteers do is criticised and picked apart - now I don't mind fair feedback at all but this is just nit picking for the sake of it even when it's things we have no control over. Or the guidelines change all the time so that if I do something right this week, doing the same next week will be wrong. Her criticism is delivered by texts/WhatsApp group messages, often worded as a list of 1.-5. points of why something is not ok. She doesn't listen to reasons, she just says "that's just noise" - so for example she sent me one of her messages when a member of the public missed an appointment with her due to being stuck in traffic and she refused to see them half an hour late...

She treats all of us in the management team like this so it's not personal - we rarely get thanks or positive feedback despite putting in an average of 15-30 hours each week into this.

At the same time the founder herself is extremely unreliable to the point that the rest of us are constantly having to cover for her because she's not showed up or is late; or she's really rude to members of the public; I also have evidence that funds are being wasted at best and sometimes used for her own benefit (in small amounts but for a small charity, every pound matters and is a struggle to fundraise to begin with!). She does less work than the rest of us even though she gets paid for it and we don't. But obviously, her charity, her rules... (the trustees are her relatives by the way, so there's no one above her to complain to!) Sometimes I think about reporting her to the Charity Commission but they probably wouldn't care about twenty quid here and there being spent for her own use?

I've been tempted to quit several times and go volunteer elsewhere (to still benefit the same cause, just under another organisation). But this one is local, I love the other people there and they have become friends, and we do still do a lot of good work to benefit the charitable cause... But I keep thinking if I was treated like this at a paid job, I would definitely be job hunting! All of us in the management team are in our mid-thirties to mid-forties with professional jobs elsewhere but somehow we get treated like unruly teenagers who need to get told off several times a week.

Am I mad to put myself through this when I'm in tears on a weekly basis out of frustration when I'm on the receiving end of one the founder's critical messages? And when I see her wasting the funds I manage to raise?

Is there a reason you are volunteering there?

Because its a small charity it looks like she is treating it like her kingdom

What would happen if you all made a stand and said you were leaving unless she changed? The money she uses, what is it spent on? Could it be legitimate use?

I would report to the Charity Commission. I'm sure that would frighten her a bit. Why are you supporting a charity that is not completely above board in every way. I presume there are strict laws laid down..l'm not in UK ..and see if it ticks all those. We have had some high profile charity scandals here in lreland and family ones are the worst with no outside accountability. Give your valuable time to a more upright charity.

I initially chose that charity because it's local and it was very easy for that reason. It is also a good charity in many ways - or was in the past anyway, the founder's behaviour seems to have changed over the years. Now I stay for the other people mostly; it's not easy to make friends in your 30s and I've really connected with many people there. And I think I stay out of steely determination to not be a quitter as well, somehow.

We took a stand once when another person quit and said you are going to lose more good volunteers if you continue talking to us like this - she improved for a while and now it's back to the constant criticism... I imagine she would replace us if we did quit, that's what she does. That's how we became the management team, another person had quit and roles became available.

Report her to the Charities Commission - and definitely mention that she pays herself a salary, that she sometimes helps herself out of the till, and that her relatives are trustees, so turn a blind eye.

It isn't fair on the volunteers, or the members of the public who donate in good faith.

Look for another charity and, when you find something that appeals, encourage the other volunteers to come along too. I've helped in the "third sector" my entire life and you simply DO NOT treat volunteers his way

Even if the others wish to stay, there's surely no reason you can't still see them socially - especially if they're local too?

Why haven't you told her to ram it?

Sounds like she's built herself quite the little fiefdom.

I would report anonymously to the CC - presumably, if they are a registered charity, they'll have to have robust accounts - and look into finding yourself something else.

I know it hurts when a cause is close to your heart, but unfortunately not everybody's intentions are good.

The charity founder cannot "employ" herself. You cannnot be a trustee and and an employee at the same time. You can be a trustee and offer a service but there are strict guidelines on this and it should be written into the consititution AND minuted when it was invoked. A trustee cannot draw a salary.

The trustees cannot be the founders relatives. That is conflict of interest, the board is completely ineffective and unfit for purpose.

If the charity commission hear about any of this they will sack the whole board immediately and appoint their own board before whilst they restructure the charity or to close it down depending.

She hasn't submitted accounts to the CC for two years either. The funds that she spends (that I know about and have evidence having seen receipts) go on things like Uber journeys when she is on holiday or going out socially (she also uses the charity car full time for her own needs and never pays petrol out of her own pocket), and online shopping for herself (things that have nothing to do with the charity).

It does seem pretty bad in every way doesn't it? I'm probably an idiot having stayed this long.

I would report, that sounds shocking. Its not really about the amount but the mindset. When you take charitable funds for your own benefit you've crossed a line.

If / when this all comes out, what will the impact be on you if you knew and did nothing? Will your career be effected? It could look like you covered up fraud.

On the basis of your last update, I'd change that from "why are you still there?" to "what are you doing there at all?"

I would report your concerns to the charity commission. Are AGM’s held? Could you stage a coup and vote new people into positions of chair, secretary and treasurer? She can’t be chair and be an employee (I know this as I took over as chair at a charity when the previous chair/founder became an employee). All expenses should be documented and accounts should be professionally audited.

You don't have much to lose by being direct with this woman and telling it like it is. So, for instance, when she sends a list of things you did wrong, try replying with just 'Not the case' or 'Disagree'. When she tells you to do it the way that was wrong last week, try saying 'You told me not to do that last week, so what's changed?' When she starts telling you off, say 'I'm not here to be told off like I'm a sulky teenager' and walk away. What can she do? She can 'sack' you but then at least you'll be out of it, which you're contemplating anyway, and you can then report her to the Charity Commission and let events run their course. What you absolutely don't have to do is accept being spoken to like this.

Writing all this down has probably helped you realise just how badly managed this charity is. I work as a volunteer with a small rescue, we are not a registered charity but run as 'not for profit', and even so none of us including our founder - who like your lady is very much the driving force and a strong personality - would dream of claiming for anything that was not directly related to legitimate doggy expenses.

Like pps I would talk to the Charity Commission about the financial irregularities. As for the management style, I suspect that's incurable.

Perhaps you and your friends might consider moving to another group, or setting up on your own, this time doing it properly?

Problem with accounts is there are many sexy ways of manipulating accounts. I'm sure she doesn't list all those things as items of expenditure and as you are a small charity and probably fall below the threshold of external auditing, no questions are asked.

Out of interest what exactly does the charity do? what is there purpose and who are their beneficiaries?
You can't stage a 'coup' because the trustees are all in on it. Leave it all to CC. REPORT HER!

'their' purpose

There's an awful lot of confidence in the Charities Commission here . given some of the multi million scandals which have somehow passed them by, I'd be surprised if they paid this one very much attention to be honest

Well if what you say is true it's fraud. I'd report to the charity commission and resign.

Are you in the South of Ireland? I know a charity just like this.

I would walk away because the end of this is likely to be very messy. Yes i would report but i wouldn't expect much from it.

Could you start your own charity for a related but noncompeting issue?

If you don't think the Charities Commission will be interested, then I'd report her to the Inland Revenue for tax evasion and fraud. A company vehicle that is available for personal use is a taxable benefit in kind and I bet she hasn't declared it. She is also having all her personal fuel paid for, which isn't allowed either, nor is claiming travelling expenses etc when you are on holiday. I dare say they would frown on her using the charity's money to fund her lifestyle, don't you?

Just bear in mind that if you don't do anything at all, and you remain with the charity, then what would happen if soneone else reports it and there is an investigation? You might find yourself having to explain why you have kept quiet.

HMRC is a good shout. Report her to CC and HMRC but really OP you need to leave.

You can’t keep on covering up fraud but equally the fall out is likely to be very messy.

I am involved with a charity and we are completely scrupulous about where the money goes. Our accountant gives us a total going over at every end of year session. They are an outside firm.. So we are always prepared for every question , keeping clear notes and having everything signed off by two people eg each fundraising event. I could not see us getting away with one thing as this accountant is so strict and will not sign off on the accountants until completely satisfied.
I hate to say this but as volunteers ye are somewhat involved in lack of proper governance if ye see things that are wrong and turn a blind eye. You need to become a whistle blower as otherwise you are saying its ok.