Abusing Volunteers

I'm fed up. And now about more than one thing. I just wrote a long blog about volunteer "abuse" and somehow hit some key inadvertently and lost the whole thing. Ugh.

I'll try to recapture the tone and nuances (although my indignation seemed to dissipate as I wrote).

I am so tired of people telling volunteers they aren't doing enough. This is not a new phenomenon. I recall being at PTA meetings in years past (at a school we are no longer with) the 'regulars' consistently complaining about how other parents didn't do enough. Comments like, "Jane only volunteers for the fall event and never for the spring event" or "Suzy never comes to the meetings" or "Debbie is never available, and only sends in donations." I would tell them that we don't know what these people's lives hold. They could be caring for an elderly parent. They could be having marital problems. Or dealing with serious children issues (drugs, pregnancy, learning problems, and mental health issues). Or they have a true fear of public involvement. Or they have a disease that prohibits it and they don't want to share it. Or WHATEVER. It doesn't matter what. One of my favorite Bible verses is "Different gifts but the same Spirit." Some people have more to give (more time, money and talents) than others. If someone is giving, how dare anyone else question their gift! There are people who choose one organization and give their all to it. And thank goodness. We need zealots to chair and lead the organizations. But don't look down on those who are not zealots, who belong to many organizations and give a little to each. Let's not vilify volunteers for not giving more. Has this happened to me? Yes. Hubby and I devote one entire weekend each year to this organization (in the past we've given more time, in fact have been local coordinators as well as various other positions). At the meeting I kept hearing how people who only (only?) gave one weekend a year weren't really committed to the organization and that people needed to step up and take responsibility, etc. I was ready to stand up and scream, "Fine, I quit. You don't want what I have to give, don't take it!" Unfortunately (or fortunately) I believe in this organization and ministry so I didn't, but I did let my feelings known. People give what they can. We can't judge whether they can or should do more.