My heart really does go out to you because I know how frustrating lack of organization can be and adding to that the feeling of being disregarded. I do still want to challenge and encourage you to look for the positive and focus on the fact that you're doing this for the kids and the school as a whole . . . not just for the Chairperson. I did want to let you know that for our auction the Chairperson (parent volunteer) and the school rep that oversees things are not involved very much in the donations department since they have a multitude of other matters to attend to. Perhaps what needs to be done is to clarify the structure of your overall auction committee. It sounds to me like you need someone other than the Chairperson to act as the "Donations Coordinator" and then that person should have a committee of volunteers to help support them. For our event we have maybe 15 -20 people in charge of different areas and we basically have monthly meetings to update our Chair/school rep. Of course the committee members can consult the school rep/Chair on matters they need counsel or input on from "higher up the chain" but we're basically expected to be fairly independent. I know this year has been a very rough road for you (and other volunteers) and I think there is room to respectfully address some of the issues you have addressed but I still encourage you to not walk away in frustration . . . give it another year to see if improvements can be made. Perhaps before you commit to serving again you could politely state some things you feel must change before you commit. Try to focus on some positive recommendations you have versus simply calling out all the mishaps of this year.
wow, I've been following this post for a long time and never have registered or posted til now. Having both worked and chaired events, I've noticed that, regardless of amount raised, if respect and appreciation of the volunteers is missing, then the event isn't as successful as a chair may think.
Having been a respectful chair, I cannot work for a committee or chairperson that doesn't respect me or value my contributions, regardless of the cause. I know what I'm capable of accomplishing and will only give my efforts where they are appreciated. I've learned that, for the most part, pushing on for the "benefit of the kids" doesn't work. That world will spin with or without you. Put your efforts where both good is done and respect is given . . . now that's a role model for your kids!
It sounds like NorCalnewb might just be the chair of Ninalynd's event!
Norcalnewb,
I am a little lost by your post to me as I my last few posts did not mention anything about anyone giving out a list of companies to go to.
But since you raise that issue now, Kudos to you for letting your volunteers know what you want. Our chair is running a free for all as far as soliciting. No organized effort of any type. The many of the local vendors have been approached by volunteers several times for our event. Had there been coordination that would happen. The chair did not want to take time to discuss who was going where or asking whom. She did NOT want lists from us of any kind with any info. So good for you for trying to coordinate things a little bit.
Our chair could not be bothered to send people out of pick up items that volunteers worked hard to get. People were willing and able to go get them. If she was overwhelemed she just had to ask someone to go and it would have been done. Now local vendors are mad and volunteers embarassed and mad. Despite being told that certain items were coming in on certain days, this info was viewed as unimportant and items were misplaced. Guess some chairs are okay with that. Our vendors being called to be reminded to send in their donation when they already sent it in was not okay with the vendor. Maybe that's okay with some chairs. It's not something our volunteers want to be part of though.
I am glad for last paragraph because it sums up the sense that our volunteers have of our chair..that they were not "quite as helpful as they think". They brought in thousands of dollars in donations and sponsors but she apparently did not find that very helpful. It's good to know that a chair might actually be thinking that. Well, she won't have to worry about the pesky volunteers trying to assist next year so that she doesn't feel so overwhelemed because most will not be returning to help out. So she can have fun "throwing the entire event" by herself. Which seems what she wants so everyone will be happy. Maybe they can put her name in lights the night of the event! There may not be any auction items or sponsors, but who cares, right? No one is hurt. They are embarassed and ticked and your attitude sums up why.
Ninalynd: just my .02, but it doesn't help me when people give me a list of local companies to go to. It helps me when they give me a list of local companies THEY are going to (along with the date of donation request, date donation is received, item information, etc.)
I find the people who get most "hurt" in these situations are not quite as helpful as they think. Chairs are overwhelmed. Those same people could dull the list and hit the streets. We're all busy. Waiting for a chair to acknowledge you is just silly. She's throwing the entire event...
Sandrandgreg,
We have found the same. Some local vendors only donate if someone goes in person. We try to keep a list of who like what by keeping track of how items were obtained. On the other hand some local vendors prfer email and don,t like walk in soliciting. It,s just a matter of knowing who like what. Some place do prfer a mailed letter. This year our group had a very low response rate to our mailed letter so we had to go back and call or email many places that did not respond to the mailed letter.
