To think the requirements for this volunteer position are ridiculous?

[PPMMppmm]

I've got some spare time on my hands and have been perusing volunteer jobs and came across this one.

https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp3585933.jsp

AIBU to think they have got ludicrous expectations of someone voluntarily giving up their time?

Or someone who currently does for a living, who is passionate about this cause and is happy to do some bid writing in their free time and/or on the volunteering days given by their employer.

I know quite a few people who are happy to volunteer at this sort of level; they don't need to earn a salary but are very prepared and willing to use their skills and expertise for a cause they believe in. Why is that so hard to understand?

It wasn’t for you
you hoped to rock up and sit with someone whilst they read and then leave feeling good about yourself.

but actually teaching someone to read, properly learn how to read, does take structure and planning

One PP even said they were “cheeky fuckers” 🙄

The posters who are unaware of the role skills based volunteering plays in the charity sector might find Reach a bit illuminating: reachvolunteering.org.uk/guide/how-become-skills-based-volunteer

These are the sorts of roles that people undertake, for free, every day: reachvolunteering.org.uk/opportunities-solr

Some are entry level roles, some are suitable for people nearing retirement, but a lot are mid-level to senior positions undertaken by people who also do whatever the role is in a paid capacity, elsewhere.

I volunteer 20% of my working time to a movement I believe in. I am highly skilled with 30 years experience. I am also involved in recruiting new members for our team and we are picky. No point having someone ineffective and whilst we can and do train, it is better if they can hit the ground somewhat running.

Presumably they want someone with experience as applying for funding/tendering needs (I suppose) background knowledge and doesn't need too much supervision.

Why is it unreasonable? If I, as an experienced professional with a personal interest in or passion for women and girls’ rights and overseas community development want to lend my skill set to a cause I’m passionate about to benefit a charity which very likely couldn’t afford to employ somebody at my level, using the volunteer days my employer provides specifically so that staff can carry out this sort of personal commitment, what’s unreasonable?

I agree. Businesses can't get staff for paid unskilled work, good luck with finding someone skilled to work for nothing.

The posters who are unaware of the role skills based volunteering plays in the charity sector might find Reach a bit illuminating: reachvolunteering.org.uk/guide/how-become-skills-based-volunteer

These are the sorts of roles that people undertake, for free, every day: reachvolunteering.org.uk/opportunities-solr

Some are entry level roles, some are suitable for people nearing retirement, but a lot are mid-level to senior positions undertaken by people who also do whatever the role is in a paid capacity, elsewhere.

Sorry, the links didn’t display properly. I’ll try again:

www.reachvolunteering.org.uk/guide/how-become-skills-based-volunteer

www.reachvolunteering.org.uk/opportunities-solr

And again. 😂

reachvolunteering.org.uk/guide/how-become-skills-based-volunteer

reachvolunteering.org.uk/opportunities-solr

They are asking for a lot in terms of skills and experience, but they are not making any demands in terms of the amount of time you have to commit so I don't think it's at all unreasonable. Someone who is a good grant writer, has a bit of spare time of volunteering and values the work the organisation does is likely to see this as a good opportunity.

Small charities often work on very limited budgets and rely on volunteer support to keep things running. Even big charities need volunteer Trustees to be involved in their management and that often involves recruiting people with significant professional experience who are willing to give up their time for free. There's plenty of opportunities out there for people who have less specific skills and experience too.

It's interesting that the replies seem to be split between those who understand how the charity sector works and who think this is completely reasonable and realistic, and those who do not and who think it unreasonable 😂

I'm a solicitor. I do pro bono work for charities for free, as many solicitors do. It's not stuff that someone could do without the relevant skills and experience.

Not all volunteering is unskilled. It's completely normal.

I think many people who would volunteer are put off not just because of the requirements which are huge but also the training - not the training that is competence based ie how to use the systems or the procedures but for want of better word "social type training" which tell you not just how to act but what you should think. I know many people myself included who used to volunteer but no longer do due to this approach and due to the policies that are employed by charities. It is a real shame that a huge number of charities and organisations are loosing potential volunteers.

I have volunteered for several charities . There have been a variety of people in terms of qualifications, from people with no qualifications doing the admin, to people with post grads and PhDs delivering the work, doing accountancy, covering the legal aspects etc. In a small not for profit, they often rely on very well qualified volunteers, because they have to. Not everyone can take responsibility for the accounts, or in this case, do grant writing. They are looking for someone very proficient in this field, because they are reliant on it and cannot afford to mess up with funding.

My thoughts, as well.

You are aware that the charity is based in a developing country? I'm not sure that British salaries and expectations have very much relevance.
I would imagine that £100k for a grant writer may be common in the west but in Kenya it's probably more than the entire charity budget.

And a day at £60 pounds an hour would be almost £70,000 Kenyan shillings. That would employ a physiotherapist full time for nearly 4 months.

Some of the comments on this thread are irrelevant at best and arguably quite offensive.

Professional salary for a health care professional locally is about £7 a day. Does that make you feel any less offended?

Obviously, that’s a role that requires specific skills and has specific requirements. There are volunteering roles that don’t require that level of expertise and still make the applicant jump through hoops. It’s very difficult to provide professional referees, for example, when you’re retired and don’t have access to them. I don’t see how your educational attainment and whether you have a degree, has any bearing on whether you can put books on shelves or understand alphabetical order.

Aye, it's a competitive field! We need the best.

That’s not what grant fundraisers make. That’s not even what Heads of make: www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs?keywords=grant+fundraising&location=london&radius=20

So, your organisation pays multiple times the going rate for grant fundraisers? This seems a bit unlikely.

Exactly, @DiamanteDelia .

I personally know someone who applies for grants on behalf of a local charity. She’s mid-50’s, a comfortably-off professional with an MBA. Her children are now in their early 20’s so she has more free time and feels she wants to give something back. I know other people who contribute. their financial and legal expertise to nonprofit organizations, services that would cost hundreds if the charities had to pay for them.

Volunteering comes in many forms, OP.