Often, in efforts to assist clubs, churches, teams, school/community groups, etc., at most times of the calendar year, we’re asked to, or we just want to, volunteer to help with activities, fundraisers, etc. Many do so willingly, feeling good pitching in for the success of whatever goals have been established by that club, church, or organization. Sometimes people are asked to chair projects/events. Many do so also because they feel good being asked, answering the call, or accepting a challenge, if they’re semi-confident they can do the job. Sometimes, though, when people do answer calls to be a chairperson or worker, circumstances arise diminishing some of the good feelings of those volunteers.

I’ve witnessed situations where, after someone volunteered to help, cleared his/her schedule, changed plans, or saved the date of the activity, they’re notified a little later they’re not needed and don’t have to report. That may discourage those who volunteered, possibly making them think twice about saying yes in future times when volunteers are needed. Question, why not keep everyone involved by adjusting shifts/tasks of workers, asking volunteers to do less, so all can still be part of the activity they were asked to volunteer for in the first place?

Other situations occur where someone steps forward to chair activities, maybe cautiously, maybe not, agreeing to take on the task. That person often spends time organizing, planning, arranging, and putting together the plan of execution, only to have the person who asked them to chair the activity or project, make changes in the plan or operation of that activity, project, or event, after the chairperson has done the grunt work. If those changing plans wanted things to be done that way, why didn’t they take the chair right off? If persons asking for volunteers know what they want, it might be better in the long run to just tell the chairperson what needs to be done, and how you want it done. It would save the people volunteering much time and energy upfront, and would let volunteers know just what their role is or is supposed to be.

Everyone’s time is valuable. If someone’s asked to do something as described above, that volunteer’s time should be judged just as valuable as that of the person doing the asking.

It sounds picky, but to those who agree to help, and are later told their help’s not needed, that’s rude. Do those in charge think those volunteers would object to even sweeping up, stuffing envelopes, sharpening pencils, etc., if it would help the cause? It’s about respect and common courtesy. The same goes for naming someone chairperson and then telling them how to be in charge. Would you ask a doctor to be in charge of your operation and then instruct him/her on how to perform it?

I’ve encouraged my children, students, and athletes to get involved with causes, community, church, or school activities. I’d never discourage anyone who wanted to step forward and volunteer to help with any mission.

I’ve volunteered often for things, and enjoyed most experiences, but one stands out in my mind more than some. There was a huge annual fundraiser at my son’s Parochial School for which Sally and I volunteered. (If you know anything about Parochial Schools, fundraisers are very necessary and almost as common as Sunday Mass, but really are a lot of fun to do.) Usually, it was mostly the same folks who volunteered. The Name of the School was Holy Family, and those of us who participated in many fundraisers, we felt, were definitely a unique and special family. For the big, annual fundraiser, which was called Mega-Bucks, we reported to the initial meeting and were asked what we’d like to do. I volunteered to sell tickets, and chair a sub-committee of the project. Sally volunteered for about three different sub-committees within the project. The overall project chairperson welcomed every volunteer, never turning anyone away. He explained the goal of each sub-committee, gave names of persons who previously participated in the project as references, then let the volunteers do their thing. Our overall chairman (I won’t mention your name, Andy J., oops!) then chaired a once a week meeting, went around the table asking each sub-committee to report, asked if anyone needed anything, then turned us loose again. Not only did the annual project achieve the fundraising goal for many years, volunteers became wonderful friends, had a great time, and many, like us, continued to work after our children left that school and moved to High School. We still talk about those experiences.

So, while I’ll continue to volunteer for projects and encourage everyone to do likewise, I hope those asking for project volunteers respect the people they solicit, their time, and potential to help make the project successful.