Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.


We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Working & Volunteering On The Road -> Volunteer not wanted??
Post Info TOPIC: Volunteer not wanted??
manycats


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 255
Date:
Volunteer not wanted??
Permalink  

I was completely shocked to read that Judy, the "Bird Lady" of Travels with Emma was not invited to return to her volunteer position at Imperial Dam NWR. After following her blog and reading all the great comments about her on other RV blogs it was hard to understand it. There are so many full-timers and Dreamers that volunteer their time (and their hard work) that I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else. This is different from a workkamping situation where you're paid to work, when you volunteer you're giving away your time and your labor for a site which many times is not even very good. Many of the volunteers do work that I wouldn't do unless someone paid me good money to do it. My DH and I were planning to volunteer in the future and this is discouraging. Not being appreciated is no fun. Has something like that happened to you?



__________________
Dyana L. Smiley
Dog Folks


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 403
Date:
Permalink  

We have volunteered for 9 years now. We have always been invited back. I attribute that to the fact that we always do little "extras" that are not in the job description.

On the other side of the equation, we have not returned to certain positions, even though we were invited, because of how we were treated by staff. The job was fine, but staff needs a course in human relations.

__________________

RIG:
2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins
2006 Outback 27 RSDS
Two rescue dogs: A Catahoula Mix & a Chihuahua mix.
Full Time since June 2006
TRAILERKING


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 1509
Date:
Permalink  

manycats wrote:

when you volunteer you're giving away your time and your labor for a site

 I guess in reality you are getting paid with a site rather than cash. Real and true volunteering is getting nothing in return for your time.



__________________

My Dreams...............Her Nightmares.

 
A-S Travelers


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 84
Date:
Permalink  

Here is a link to the lady's side of the story:  http://travels-with-emma.blogspot.com/2015/01/kicked-to-curb.html

 

No way to know what the parks side of the story is. 



__________________

Al & Sharon, 2006 Winnebago Journey 36G, Chevy Colorado Toad

http://downtheroadaroundthebend.blogspot.com/

 
Dog Folks


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 403
Date:
Permalink  

Regarding her side of the story, a few things stick out:

She states she was already on the fence about not returning next year. So she was not sure she even wanted to do the job.

The manager maybe worded things wrong, but in essence her work patterns, did not "fit" with what they wanted. That's is O.K. no harm no foul. This is one manager of thousands. She also admits to playing solitaire on their time. That would be a no-no- in any position.

She again, is very upset with actions of one manager. She is thinking of "retiring," if this bothers her so much, for her own health, maybe she should retire.

To the OP. Not all positions you may accept are a perfect fit. We have taken a few jobs that were not good for us, but finished the commitment, smiled, and said thank you, while we placed that location on our "DO Not Go Again" list.



This post is not meant to be critical, and no offense is meant. But just to point out that it was not a good "fit" for her. Plenty more fish in the sea.

__________________

RIG:
2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins
2006 Outback 27 RSDS
Two rescue dogs: A Catahoula Mix & a Chihuahua mix.
Full Time since June 2006
Bill and Jodee


RV-Dreams Family Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 334
Date:
Permalink  

The only consistent "issue" I hear with volunteer (and some paid) assignments is arriving and finding out the duties or site are not as discussed. In that case it is up to the volunteer to decide to stay or move on.

Given Judy's work ethic and the incredible amount of experience she has it is hard to believe any operation wouldn't be begging her to return. However, that was not the case in Yuma. Another blogger told her she would just leave now, but Judy said she couldn't leave her coworkers to cover her duties and that she remained committed to the program if not the people running it.

Most of the time it seems the workkamper opportunities are win-wins, Judy's case being the rare exception.


Jodee

__________________

Bill and Jodee Gravel Full-timers (June, 2015)

Tessa the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

2014 Thor Tuscany XTE 34ST

2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4

http://www.ontheroadabode.blogspot.com

 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Working & Volunteering On The Road -> Volunteer not wanted??
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us