AIBU to feel unappreciated as a volunteer

[VolunteerOrNot]

I volunteer at an organisation working with kids, which over the last 6 years has gradually increased from 4hrs to 16hrs pw over 3 days. I do enjoy helping out - but I am starting to feel exhausted as I already work full time and have teens. I have done and am also doing various qualifications which directly benefit the organisation. However, I feel as if there is barely any free time left for me. In the organisation, everyone else is paid, and I am refunded expenses and course fees.

However, I am starting to feel as I am taken advantage of and not valued as much as the other staff members. For example, I am often rota'ed to help ad-hoc for 6-8hr event days - but never asked. This is a large chunk of my weekend. Also, a lot of the staff are given more responsibility i.e. Group Leader - whereas I am always the Assistant - despite being more formally qualified than some of the Group Leaders I am assisting. I am treated as a float cover - which is good in some respects as I get to work with a lot of different staff and children, but the downside is that I don't ever get to know the children in the same way as the Group Leaders do - and I miss this part a lot.

I've got into a position now where I am demotivated as I feel undervalued and unappreciated. I find now, whereas before I would always reliably come in, I CBA anymore - which of course benefits neither the organisation or I, and solidifies my position as cover. I now dislike coming in and never knowing which group of children I will be working with. I also feel resentful that I am spending a huge part of my free time volunteering and studying for their various qualifications - but I am not treated in the same way as a paid staff member. I would stop, but I really do enjoy volunteering with the children.

Where do I go from here?

Yeah they’re taking the piss. This is why people are reluctant to volunteer in the first place. Luckily I guess you can just stop, whereas sounds like everyone else would have to actually resign.

Volunteers should always be politely asked to do a task, not told. And yes, you should set your own boundaries.

Never break your back unless it's your own company. None of what you value is valuable in employment or volunteering. Exploitation is the culture. People just dress it up nicely. Leave or ask to reduce your hours. You're a volunteer. You're not committed.

A friend was a magistrate for nearly thirty years. When she left, as her husband retired, she didn't get any sort of thank you. I volunteered with a major organisation for a decade, every Sunday morning and several evenings a week. When I called it a day all I got was a scribbled thanks on the latest rota - which didn't include me. It's not rare, unfortunately, and I doubt I shall bother volunteering for a while.

I've given up with volunteering now myself.

We were not treated particularly well, and more and more required training in our own time over and above the voluntary hours. They also changed the focus of the organisation. I didn't need to put up with it so I didn't.

I believe they are having real trouble getting volunteers now

I would have a chat with whoever is in charge but make sure you have any changes you want made ready to put forward. No point in having just a general whine session though you have plenty to complain about. But think carefully before you resign.

I have volunteered in the past and this sort of treatment in not unusual Im afraid.I think Volunteers are often taken for granted and it is unfair.David Cameron wanting "Armies of Volunteers" Of course he did ! Free labour and all that.I would maybe have a break for now .Concentrate on your own family and job . If you want something again ,I would think you have your pick of charities !

Volunteers are really tricky to manage, partly because there often isn’t that same formal relationship as with staff and their manager.

it’s almost certainly a well meaning oversight. Some people lie assisting not leading, some people like variety. If it’s what you generally do there’s probably someone somewhere assuming it’s what you want / like.

a friendly, sensible chat has got a good chance of sorting things out with smiles all
round.

Why not arrange a chat with the leader and make your feelings known. They may not even be aware. You owe them that at least. Then you know your conscience is clear. Good luck

I volunteered for over 20 years and ended up with no time to myself. I wasn’t expecting praise or anything but it does make you feel a little taken advantage of at times. I would speak to the management about how you’re feeling and I would also cut your hours. They should really try and understand where you’re coming from and support you in this if they do appreciate you and your time given.

“I was thinking that as a volunteer, I should just muck in and do anything I am assigned, and that I had less of a say about what I wanted to do than a paid staff member.”

GOODNESS, no! I feel the opposite in our organisation- I am so grateful for good volunteers that I’ll generally bend over backwards to keep them, whereas as paid staff we get paid to do it all- the good bits and the grotty bits!

@VolunteerOrNot - this is what stood out for me: "For example, I am often rota'ed to help ad-hoc for 6-8hr event days - but never asked. This is a large chunk of my weekend."

This is completely unacceptable and I would be telling them (probably politely, but possibly not) that I wasn't prepared to do this again. And take it from there as far as your hours generally are concerned.

I volunteered over the last few years at several places. A noted library in Newcastle, a local heritage centre and a foodbank. I found all of them were absolutely stuck on awful, time-wasting, unhelpful routines and had a hierarchy of retired people who volunteered and were set in their ways. They just blocked younger volunteers and any new ideas. The library, in particular, which is a wonderful place, was stagnating and stuffy in how it operated. Rotas for volunteers were done by one woman who allowed her 'friends' to choose what and when they wanted and anyone else got what was left or got nothing. I did speak to the Head Librarian when I left who was not prepared to tackle her. The amount of experience that is wasted by these places is staggering. The foodbank was the same- stuck on terrible, time-wasting, resource-wasting routines and volunteers with ideas leaving in frustration.
I was also a trustee of a small children's charity which was exactly the same.
However, these volunteers keep the places going so the organisations ate unwilling to tackle them. There was a culture in all of them of 'just turn up and get on -we don't want to change.'

I think you are in a strong position to renegotiate your role. If you were in our area we would snap you up as we are desperate for volunteers in Children’s Services.

They are treating you as staff but not paying you. 16 h a week isn’t a volunteer role. I’d speak to organisers and explain to want to be involved but want to be asked first and max hours you can give. That’s very reasonable.

My dad used to volunteer for an organisation where the deal was that everyone did half a day for free, but if you did more, you were paid. That meant that everyone was volunteering, but nobody was exploited. Some just did the half day, but others did it more as a part-time job. (I wonder whether minimum wage legislation makes it harder/impossible to have this system nowadays?)

I was a little annoyed (but also amused), after an interview for a volunteering post, to receive a letter saying that they were pleased to be able to offer me the post. I did rather feel that it should be that they were pleased to accept my offer of time.

I’d switch to a role in another organisation that valued my time. I would share with them the reasons why I left if they asked. Important that they know and can change the entitled culture before they lose all volunteers.

Speak to whoever is your supervisor or in charge of rota’s and be clear about your availability and preferences. No need to give a reason for this either as you don’t want them to come back at you with ammunition for getting around your boundaries. They are taking advantage and you need to nip it in the bud.

I volunteer about 10 hours pw for a charity and they look after their volunteers and are flexible around volunteers needs and have never taken advantage. They also hold social events like bbq’s and afternoon teas etc specifically to get all their volunteers together, and feedback surveys etc. If you don’t feel valued then leave and find a charity that does value your contribution.

No you should have more say in what you do.

Paid staff are being paid to do the work the managers give them. They would get paid even if there was no work to do and are expected to do work they dont always want to do if given a choice.
You are a cost saver so the time you put in should be recognised and rewarded in a non cash way.

Speak up and put a limit on what you can do.
If the organisation (people getting paid to turn up) object to that then they dont recognise your worth.

Sadly volunteers just aren't treated the same way as paid staff, despite volunteers doing largely the same type of work.

I completely agree- if they don't support you, walk.

I don’t mean to be harsh, but of course you’ll be treated differently - you’re a volunteer not an employee. The employees have a career there so are providing a different level of commitment. Imagine in your place of employment an employee was treated in the same manner as you - wouldn’t that be odd?

As a volunteer they should take your feelings into account regarding where you’d like to help. Have you spoken to them and what did they said when you’ve raised your feelings on this?

If they simply don’t need volunteers in the areas you want to help, then look elsewhere for a place you will get enjoyment. This is voluntary, not employment.

If you enjoy working with kids my area is always screaming out for leaders at the local beavers/brownies etc. That’s fun and you definitely can’t escape the kids in any role you take. Maybe reach out to your local scouting group?

Some see your free time as their free labour!

Some? Ha!

They are not paying you, you are not getting the same enjoyment you once did, and your preferences are not even up for consideration.

They are asking you to do training and setting you work and your rotas without checking what works for you or not? Honestly, bite the bullet and leave them, they don’t give a shit.

I am sure that there are plenty of other charities you can volunteer for that would be more sympathetic, especially after the wealth of experience and training you have acquired working for this one. You may even find a paid job with one of the other charities to apply to.

I think the entitled culture is embedded in a lot of organisations. I've done quite a few years volunteering and in each place over time I was taken for granted.
I've quit all volunteering for now until I feel able to take on more.
A friend runs a childrens football team and i see the stress in him when the phone rings and it's some (paid) higher up who wants something.

Another friend does shifts in a charity shop, for company and friendship more than anything, and she is coerced into doing extra days. I went to take her for lunch, and the supervisor was asking her to not go to lunch today. I had to step in and say something. But I shouldn't have to , they should wave her off happily and then be happy when she comes back.

Hope you get it sorted OP.

I’d resign once you get to that point as a volunteer then I think it just means it’s time for something else

I’ve been in your situation with expectations steadily increasing-in the end, I did have to step away. It was funny, because they were abit huffy when I did as they’d clearly “forgotten” that I was an unpaid volunteer!

As a PP has said though, it’s also possible that this could turn into a paid P-T position if they don’t want to lose you. That might suit you?!