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Sunday, April 25, 2010

VOLUNTEER MANAGER BANNED!

Job title to be banned?

Don J Volau

The Irish Gazette


"Irish parliamentarians will debate a motion on whether to ban the title “Volunteer Manager” for those who manage volunteer programs and are salaried. In a motion sponsored by the Liberty Party it will be argued that the title ‘Volunteer Manager” is misleading unless its “owner” is unpaid and is “truly a volunteer”.

Trevor Fryar, Liberty Party spokesman for the third sector told the Gazette that he felt that he had been hoodwinked for years and that change was needed. “I’ve met several people at conferences and even social gatherings over the years who have informed me that they were Volunteer Managers. I’ve always told them that I thought they were so noble and were a credit to their communities” the senator said.

However, an event four months ago came as a huge shock to the senator and led to his course of action in parliament. “ I was at a function recognising volunteers where this chap introduced himself as a Volunteer Manager. As is my want I congratulated him on his nobleness and asked how long he’d been volunteering for. When he informed me that he was paid I burst out laughing thinking he was joking but the serious expression on his face didn’t change.” The senator says he did some research and discovered that there were other so called “volunteer managers” out there who were paid.

The Liberty party says that it wants to introduce legislation to state that anyone using the title “volunteer manager” must in fact be a volunteer. A government spokesperson refused to comment and no volunteer manager could be found to comment."


The above story is complete fiction! I made this up and sent it to some colleagues on April fool’s day this year on April 1st. 90% of them believed the story. Which is a little bit of a reflection on the issues we face in volunteer management perhaps.

So my mischievous prank taught me a lot. It taught me that we truly believe that our titles may have some negative connotations. It taught me that we are not really surprised when such ridiculous controversial moments arise!

Some of my colleagues have warned me to be aware next year! Revenge is a dish best served cold.

11 comments:

  1. Is it fact or fiction? Welcome to the site Don!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks DJ

    DON J Volau

    Sorry for not creating my own account - I prefer you to post for me. I feel more protected that way if you dont mind

    ReplyDelete
  3. No worries Don

    I am sorry that you feel the need to be protected in the world of volunteerism!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks DJ

    DON J Volau

    Editor - The Volunteerism Gazette

    ReplyDelete
  5. I know I am DJ


    DON J Volau

    Editor - The Volunteerism Gazette

    ReplyDelete
  6. Whay the hell are you called DJ anyway? I mean - is that a real name?

    DON J Volau

    Editor - The Volunteerism Gazette

    ReplyDelete
  7. Don - Can we please not discuss thasi in the public forum?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh Sure - sorry DEEEEE Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaay

    DON J Volau

    Editor - The Volunteerism Gazette

    ReplyDelete
  9. Don - your sarcasm is noted - Can you please stop posting personal comments here? People are going to see this and see a dozen comments and think its an interesting article that has provoked much comment when it is simply not the case? People will also think this is an immature site? so please stop posting. there is no reason for you to reply to me now for example!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sure!

    DON J Volau

    Editor - The Volunteerism Gazette

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your message. It will shortly be reviewed. Namaste! DJ

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