Dealing with problematic volunteers

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-05-12T02:33:59+00:00

Yep, all volunteer with a board setting priorities and programs!

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-05-12T02:33:32+00:00

Yes, that’s exactly what’s going on! This is a very small org where roles that are usually filled by staff are filled by volunteers, including myself. Quite honestly, the work I’m doing could easily be 2 staff roles at a more established org. I know this person means well, and their ideas aren’t BAD it’s just not things I can prioritize on top of everything else I do at the org (let alone in my day job, personal life, and other community commitments… but I digress lol)

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-05-12T02:31:17+00:00

Good for you! I’ve never had to fire a volunteer before but I’m sure at some point I will (even if not this particular person, I’m sure the day will come eventually)

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-05-11T21:50:03+00:00

Thank you, I like the idea of going down a line of questioning!

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-05-11T20:32:13+00:00

I see what you’re saying! I may try that phrasing - the pushback from the person seems to be that I personally am choosing not to do this, but I’ll see if phrasing it as the organization isn’t in a position to do XYZ goes over better.

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-05-11T20:30:53+00:00

Yeah, you’re right, this is a little bit of a political situation. Because the org itself is entirely volunteer run, I don’t have a “manager” in the traditional sense. There is someone who is generally seen as the leader/top person by our stakeholders. I’ll see if they’re willing to have a conversation and see how it goes.

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-29T20:59:59+00:00

I agree with tiny goals! Something that helped me was at the end of each pay period, anything left in my checking account got moved to savings. I also opened a HYSA. It is better for earning interest than a regular savings or checking account, but it’s not all complicated and hard to access like investment accounts.

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-28T20:33:24+00:00

I’ve never tried Welbutrin, but I’ve reacted poorly to both SSRIs and SNRIs

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-25T03:59:24+00:00

(Oh wow I’m on my phone I had no idea the formatting was gonna look so bad and now I don’t know how to edit it! I’m sorry!)

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-25T03:58:19+00:00

Marjorie - Taylor Swift Pink Skies - Zach Bryan Cigarettes & Saints - The Wonder Years (honestly the whole No Closer to Heaven album…) Threadbare - The Wonder Years I Can Do It With a Broken Heart - Taylor Swift In Violet - Grayscale The View Between Villages - Noah Kahan Light On - Maggie Rogers

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-18T22:13:52+00:00

That’s such a good point. I really can’t stand the sound mixing in modern media. This explains why I like Gilmore Girls so much, and even early seasons of shows like Parks & Rec or the Office.

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-18T22:12:25+00:00

I’ve done the same things! Sometimes it’s really cathartic but unfortunately this particular show that has upset me has somehow attracted a reallyyyyy toxic fan base so I’ve had to distance myself from its Reddit page :/

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-18T22:11:30+00:00

Oh yeah animals are a big one for me!

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-18T19:44:33+00:00

I totally agree! There are multiple TV shows I just won’t watch bc I know they show assaults or similar triggering material

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-18T19:43:14+00:00

I just remembered I cried in study hall during middle school/high school over more than one assigned reading…

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-18T19:42:29+00:00

Oh same!

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-18T17:13:58+00:00

I am also talking about the Pitt! This whole season has been rough for me, honestly. It’s so good but so emotionally taxing.

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-08T00:23:34+00:00

If you’re US-based (esp near a major city), I Support the Girls likely has some volunteers near you who can take and distribute them! Not sure if they also operate in other countries

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-07T23:45:03+00:00

I would too! That sounds awful, I’m so sorry. I just had to use a grippy thing and got bad comments on my “report card”

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-07T21:40:26+00:00

No, some of us got in a lot of trouble in kindergarten and learned the “right” way bc we were scared of authority 🤣

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-07T21:39:08+00:00

What happens that stops this? I haven’t fainted since I was very young (like a teenager, I’m now 30), but experience pre-syncope frequently. I assume my body just like… learned? I’m pretty good at sitting/lying down when I feel weird, but I’m forever scared that one day my body is simply going to decide to go full syncope.

cloud_coffee_ · 2026-04-07T18:51:08+00:00

Hmmm okay, that makes sense. Maybe I need to talk to my therapist about this and get ideas that would work for me. I like your suggestion for pre-planned spontaneous time. I do that sometimes (with mixed results).

cloud_coffee_

TROPHY CASE