Guest Elliott Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Hi all, My last two volunteer jobs have been really bum experiences! Coordinators not showing up for appointments they made with me, cancelling 20 minutes beforehand (when I am on the bus on the way there... grrr), not returning calls on numerous occassions, me ending up doing all their work while they sit around and chit chat or go for a smoke... It's really frustrating. I know the clients/patients/children are suffering from the staff's lack of initiative, but I find it very hard to continue volunteering at places that have such a lack of respect for their volunteer's time. Also, I hate being all over the place. I would really just like to find a place and stick with it... I know a lot of you are busy with apps right now - but has anyone else had experiences like this??? Thanks! Elliott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zippy5678 Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 It sounds to me like they don't care much about their volunteers. Try to think why that is the case. is it because they have way too many volunteers than time allows to develop a personal relationship with each one of them. Even in that case, i'd say that they still have to least be polite. I volunteered at a hospital and even thou i was pretty useless to them, they still were very nice to me and they always said thank you and things like that. I also volunteered at another place where they weren't very organized and so as a volunteer i didn't learn much and they also didn't have time to get to know me personally and i don't think the coordinator liked me very much, so it was a pretty unrewarding experience. Regardless of why they're like that with you, what's important is that you think what is it exactly that you want from them. Do you want to just make sure that your sketch doesn't look empty, or is it that you want a reference letter from them at one point. If it's the latter, then you have to honestly and objectively evaluate whether they're the type of people that would care about you enough and would understand the impact of such a letter so that when comes the time they'd give you a "good" letter. Usually good letters come from supervisor who are at least nice, if someone isn't nice to you or at least friendly, then it would be unrealistic of you to expect them to give you a good letter for something as big as med school. From the way you're putting it, it sounds to me like they're not the type of people that would care. But then i don't know, think why they're that way. If what you want is to add stuff to your sketch, then you don't really have to work too hard to impress them or give it your all at the expense of your sanity. I've done a lot of volunteering @#%$, and the more i did it, the more my philosophy changed. hope that helps. zz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lactic Folly Posted September 24, 2005 Report Share Posted September 24, 2005 In your situation, I would consider leaving after the commitment is up.. the environment where you volunteer makes such a difference in your experience, how you enjoy it, and how much you get out of it. For future volunteering positions, it's like applying for a job.. you want to get the position, but do your homework before signing up.. ask questions... take a look around.. observe/talk with current volunteers.. your time needs to be well spent, and there are a lot of places that can use some help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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