Volunteerism: an Indentured Servitude

I am so sick of people forgetting that volunteers give of their time and their lives without any worldly benefit. Too often lately, we are treated as though we are employees with job descriptions and performance expectations. As long as we say, “Yes” and do everything as expected it’s fine. But, what if we want or have to say, “No” sometimes? You’d think that people would respect you and want what’s best. Too bad that’s not the case. Sometimes, the people who are paid to do a certain job forget that you aren’t. So, how can they really expect anything? Shouldn’t they be happy and sincerely grateful for what you are able to give? I find myself on both ends of the fence now, but I think it’s a good thing. As a paid staff member depending on volunteers to make my program run, I realize the power of the volunteer. I need to keep them happy and tell them how much they do for the program. I also need to make it easy for them to be involved, because everyone is busy. I never want to forget what it feels like to be an underappreciated volunteer, because I hope that will help me to appreciate the people who help me better.

As a volunteer, my views are a little different. Yes, I expect to be appreciated by someone! But, bigger than that, I expect nothing less from my fellow volunteers than what I would give. Yeah, we’re all busy these days, but people make room in their lives for what’s really important. As a volunteer, I am very offended by other volunteers who just take advantage of everyone else, so they can have their hands in a little bit of everything they want. Commitment doesn’t seem to exist, yet it’s expected. Don was expected to do a slide show and play for a musical. We were expected to play for a special event to make a friend look good and we are expected to always be there- week after week while everyone else takes vacations and goes to birthday parties. What thanks do we get? Oh, I forgot- all the power and glory, right? No, we get paid staff members saying that we shouldn’t even get an appreciation dinner, because they don’t want to “schlep” for all the cranky volunteers. News Flash: Those volunteers “schlep” for you every week all year long and make you look good! Without them you wouldn’t have great liturgies or great religious ed programs. Oh, silly me, that’s just expected!