Volunteering - an interesting dilemma. I have offered to volunteer with several organizations for over a month now - since the group I was working with moved to another state. I won't say which they are because I'm sure they have enough challenges. In one case, I am told they would love to have me help, sent me an application to fill and return etc... I did as instructed. Never heard back. Called to follow up. Was told they would get right back to me. Never heard from them. Repeat again and again. WTH? Another one was thrilled. I need to pay about $150 out of pocket to get what they need for me to volunteer with them. That blows. Oh well. The last one was also very excited. E-mails back and forth. They love that I can help people with resumes, interviewing etc... (I own an employment agency so this is my area of expertise). They'll get right back to me. It's been weeks. I've always been a volunteer. Teen crisis centers, Children's Hospital, Homeless shelters, whatever. I've never seen anything like this. I think I'll just start a new charity. It would probably be quicker
That is pretty pathetic. If they don't call you back, then obviously they are not interested in any volunteers. If they treat everyone like they treated you, they won't have any volunteers. Personally, if that happened to me, I'd put an ad in the local paper, naming the charity and telling others to avoid it.
Actually, the New Director at the one, just called to admit she lost my application and was just too embarrassed to admit it without looking around for a bit first. She's brand new on the job. Okay, I can live with that. The other one is my daughter's high school. I have to get a TB test, CPR / AED card, pay out of pocket for my finger-printing and background check etc... The reason I'm volunteering is that her school is one of the best in the country (according to Newsweek) has just had their budgets cut again - which is why volunteers have to now "pay their way in". Our priorities in this country are SERIOUSLY screwed up!
My observations is as follows. Many volunteers need/should to be weeded out, and more scrutiny is certainly called for, depending on the volunteer organization, because sadly, those wanting to help, as well as those wanting to help themselves, offer their services. Many volunteer organizations are privy to very personal information, or their clientele is rather vulnerable. Of course that is no excuse for just ignoring a willing participant.
The gal at meals on wheels is great with people but turns out, just plain bad with computers. I talked with her today. Applications are all .pdf and because they're large files, they were going to her junk folder. She has no idea how much has gone in there since she started last month. I'm sure she's younger but the poor thing sounds like she's about 90 and was very apologetic.
It sounds like you are just on an unlucky streak Noparty. The onerous school process is merely a reflection of todays world, a sad reflection, but the result of an evolution that includes mistrust and law suits. My volunteering is limited to two organizations and the difficulties are all small and understandable.
OKAY GOD IS COOL! I've been helping my daughter prepare for finals. Takes me back in the day. So anyway, I've been teaching her mnemonics, acrostics, acronyms etc... Very effective stuff for test-taking. Well, I've been a little frustrated because our family have always been volunteers and lately, everywhere we've offered to volunteer has either lost my paperwork, not been sure what to do with me etc... I got a call from Nellis Air Force Base and they asked if I could develop a program to help servicemen pass tests. I laughed out loud. My wife and daughter are always astounded that "Jeopardy" is so easy for me. There is nothing the Air Force could have asked of me (with the possible exception of public speaking) that could have been better suited for me! God is awesome! I am often impatient and lacking wisdom but The Big G compensates for me being an idiot by always doing better for me, than I could have done on my own. So I'll be helping our servicemen & women get promoted, get into college etc... ! Business is good and for that I'm grateful, but giving to my family and community fills me with a sense of purpose. Thanks God!
if you will be near kids the vetting process has become more intense. One group I helped actually had people pay for the background checks just so they could volunteer their time. I got involved on the board and quickly changed it so we paid for the checks. How can you ask people to pay to volunteer? I've volunteered in various organizations for years and always enjoyed when i heard a person say "someone should......." that of course is my queue to walk up to that person and thank them for volunteering to do that and invite them to the next meeting.
