To think this is ridiculous

[GreatAtProcrastination]

I applied to be a VOLUNTARY committee member with an association in a subject that I work in and love.

The majority of committee members are well paid but the application specifically asked for people who didn't do the well paid role to apply (a fictional example for well paid would be a GP, whereas a healthcare related but lesser paid role would be healthcare assistant but the organisation is not in healthcare, it's just an example).

Anyway, I applied for the vacancy and received an email from the association saying they were reviewing my application but I needed to join the organisation as a member first, which I hadn't realised. I looked online and membership is nearly £400 annually!

Like WTF! Surely, I shouldn't have to pay in order to be a volunteer?

Depends on the role. As a standard volunteer probably not, but I'm a charity trustee and you have to be a member of our organisation to join our committee. It might be the committee element that has this requirement.

I agree with above poster. To simply volunteer for an organisation, you usually do not need to pay a membership fee. But to be a committee member, usually you do need to at least be a member of the organisation.

Sorry, but I think of course you have to be a member before you can be on the committee. Otherwise you can make decisions such as "let's treble the membership fee" without it actually affecting you. Or bring the organisation into disrepute without repercussions " but I was never a member!"

I didnt know that @margotsdevil and @AP5Diva

And I never thought about that @KrisAkabusi.

I guess I'm just a bit disappointed that I probably won't be able to be on the committee as I simply can't afford £400 or even £33 a month with the COL as it currently stands.

I have asked if I could join under the concessionary membership which takes the cost down to £15 a month, but this generally only for retired people who did the well paid role.

Even if I joined I would have to reapply for the committee after a full year of membership.