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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel gutted and a bit that they've turned down my offer to volunteer?

43 replies

Cheeseoncrumpets · 03/09/2019 12:36

Im fully prepared to be told that I'm being stupid, but here goes.

I had a little seasonal job over the summer, which I really loved. Actually its probably one of the best jobs I've ever had. They are an organisation that requires the help of a lot of volunteers and I enjoyed it so much that when I finished I offered to volunteer for them, and it would be fairly easy for me to fit it in around my regular job.

They seemed really keen, said they'd love to have me etc and that they'd get back in touch. That was nearly three weeks ago and Ive not heard anything since.

Maybe they don't need any extra help, and that's fine but why not just say that in the beginning? They always seem to be crying out for volunteers as well.

Or maybe they just thought I was shit and didn't like me? I was thinking of messaging them and asking if they still needed any help, but I don't want to be seen as too pushy and desperate.

Am I being silly and oversensitive?

OP posts:
hobnobsaremyfavourite · 03/09/2019 12:38

If they are a busy organisation who manage a lot of volunteers they have probably just forgotten you. Not in a malicious way just overlooked you and if you just email and remind them of your offer they'll probably bite your hand off
Or they have a separate volunteer management department who will be in touch with you

TheFlis12345 · 03/09/2019 12:38

But they haven’t turned you down based on what you’ve said Confused They just haven’t replied yet. Maybe they are behind as people have been on holiday? I would send a follow up message.

Mrsjayy · 03/09/2019 12:42

Just contact them again they havn't turned you down they just didn't contact you sometimes busy charitable organisations need to be contacted to give them a reminder.

Mrsjayy · 03/09/2019 12:44

Look on their website or sm they probably have a section on volunteeers you need to go through the proper channels.

Original poster
Cheeseoncrumpets · 03/09/2019 12:47

So sending a follow up message wouldnt be seen as 'pushy' then?

OP posts:
scottishdaisy · 03/09/2019 12:55

I really don't think that after 3 weeks it would be pushy... more than likely they've been busy and not got round to it. I'd definitely get in touch again. Sounds to me like they would be lucky to have a volunteer as enthusiastic as you sound. Good luck!

Mrsjayy · 03/09/2019 13:00

No not at all contact themSmile

LIZS · 03/09/2019 13:02

Ime it can take a while to respond, especially over summer . Did you offer in writing or just verbally on leaving? Worth a follow up email.

OrangeSlices998 · 03/09/2019 13:02

Definitely definitely contact them again! Not pushy, just interested and motivated which is what you want and need in volunteers.

MadMadMad · 03/09/2019 13:03

I would send them a polite follow up, I am just back from sick leave and no-one deals with things like that (or just about anything) in my absence so I am now chasing my tail trying to catch up. If it were us I would be coming back very apologetic that we hadn't been in touch before now.

FuriousVexation · 03/09/2019 13:13

If you offered verbally, then I'd suggest you go via their "normal" volunteer recruitment channels, which are usually different to that of paid staff. It's entirely possible your request just never made it to the right dept.

Most charities that I know of, as a PP said, are desparate for volunteers and unless you turned up drunk one day and punched your line manager, they are unlikely to turn you down!

IceColdLemonade · 03/09/2019 13:17

IME, applying to be a volunteer is usually a longer process than you think.

I know they already 'know' you but the process is most likely the same.

I've actually had to change my mind about applying to be a volunteer because the process takes that long that if they accepted me I may not be able to volunteer because of possible change of circumstance!

If you didn't apply through usual channels, do so. If you did I would give it at least another couple of weeks before you chase it up.

LillithsFamiliar · 03/09/2019 13:18

Definitely contact them again.

RednaxelasPony · 03/09/2019 13:20

Sounds like you verbally informally expressed interest. You didn't actually apply! So.. apply..

Ravenblack · 03/09/2019 13:23

Seems like they overlooked you @Cheeseoncrumpets Just give them another message. Smile

GOOD LUCK!

BungleIsTheNextIt · 03/09/2019 13:28

As a very busy volunteer manager, I can assure you that it's much more likely that other things have overtaken your offer and prevented them from getting back to you. I have some pending applications from about five weeks ago that I'm desperately trying to get to but there simply isn't time at the moment. I'm sure will be delighted to hear from you, good, consistent, reliable volunteers are worth their weight in gold. I very much appreciate how patient my volunteers are with me because they know how much I have on my plate. Go for it!

Mrsjayy · 03/09/2019 13:32

Some places are over subscribed for volunteers i know our local trussel trust are turning people away because they don't need volunteers they are put on a waiting list, volunteer roles usually have some sort of training attached so maybe you need to wait for next training course

rbmilliner · 03/09/2019 13:33

Contacting them again isn't pushy and even if it were don't think 'pushy' think 'keen' and there's nothing wrong in that.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 03/09/2019 13:35

Get in touch and remind them. I expect they have forgotten.

BuildBuildings · 03/09/2019 13:36

Have you got at specific contact in the organisation? Like a line manager? Get in touch with them. I have worked with volunteers a lot and now have it in my remit to support other staff to develop volunteer roles. People are often so busy unfortunately volunteering gets pushed to the bottom of the list. So it's worth reminding them you are still keen.

MsMartini · 03/09/2019 13:37

I would send a polite follow-up now.

I volunteer for a national museum and in a school for a national charity. Emails go astray/answers delayed of course - but I also want to volunteer for organisations that are appropriately staffed so that I don't spend ages on admin/chasing, that I get the training and support I need and, worse case scenario, any security, safety or safeguarding issues (all these have cropped up for me) are dealt with immediately and appropriately.

So in your shoes, if I got a brief, polite holding reply, I'd think fine, I'll wait. If my follow-up email was ignored, I'd take my time and skills elsewhere.

Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 03/09/2019 14:04

Was it somewhere that is busy over the summer (hence the need for seasonal work?)

Gets lots of visitors? If so, it's because they are still dealing with the aftermath of summer, the bank holiday weekend etc.

It's not pushy to follow up. At all. And daft to feel hurt. And they haven't turned it down.

AMidsummersNightsNightmare · 03/09/2019 14:06

I’d send them a follow up, they’ve probably just been super busy

Iminagony · 03/09/2019 14:11

Yabu for stating they turned down your offer to volunteer. They haven't turned down your offer. You haven't heard anything either way which isn't the same as turning you down.
Just get in touch again and offer.

category12 · 03/09/2019 14:12

So sending a follow up message wouldnt be seen as 'pushy' then?

Don't be daft, this is an organisation, not a person you're trying not to scare off. You need to formalise your interest in volunteering by emailing or writing or filling out one of their forms, not expect them to chase you.