Why do you volunteer here in the first place?

Casadena

Dear Prudence,

I have been volunteering for a charity for over a decade. I work there three times a week and often take over positions well above my pay grade (as I am not getting paid at all), including coordinating with insurance after a fire broke out and the director was on pregnancy leave. A paid position got opened and I applied for the job.
Instead, the charity went to a kid with no experience who was so wet behind the ears they dripped. The reason I was given for the decision against me was that I was over qualified and didn’t really “need” the job because of my personal wealth.

The added insult to injury is this kid is clueless and constantly needs hand holding. Our Thanksgiving turkey drive was so chaotic and uncoordinated, I actually had to leave my dinner early because I was fielding so many calls from other volunteers. I basically spent my Thanksgiving fixing the mess and not one person thanked me. They just consoled the kid and told them to call me if they needed help to learn the ropes! This just sticks in my craw. I feel so ignored and underappreciated after all my years of service to this organization, and I’m thinking I should leave. Is it even worth talking to the higher-ups? We aren’t friends but have been working together for years. I love the cause, but there are plenty other ones in the area.

—No Thank You

banana468

Leave.  If you don't want to do that then stop answering the phone like you're paid. 

Be clear "I am a volunteer and you've made it clear I'm a volunteer.  I'm not going to be available to answer calls when I'm not on site." 

VarunaTT

NFP can be very good at taking advantage of their volunteers.  I've seen so many volunteers lost b/c they were used up by NFPs.  LW has now seen this. 

It's time to set some boundaries.  "I am available for X, Y, and Z.  I am not available for A, B, C".  Your responsibility is not to be an on-hand trainer for staff.  That staff member has someone they report to, that someone is who should be dealing with any issues that arise b/c they're paid to as well or they've agreed to be in charge (if they're a board member or such).

Honestly, I'd walk.  I've been through a lot of hell for NFP organizations, but if I had been denied a paid position I wanted from them, had the knowledge, skills, and experience for it and specifically related to that organization, and was denied b/c I didn't "need" the job, THEN they hired someone and expected me to train them and keep working for free?  NOPE.

Know your worth, LW.  And trust me, that NFP will find someone else to bear that burden until they burn-out too.

ei34

You’re answering your own question in the last sentence LW. There are plenty in the area. I’d absolutely leave and not look back, you’re being taken advantage of.

short+sassy

I would have left the organization when they gave the job to someone so clearly less qualified than myself.  The OP put in the time.  For years.  Obviously wanted the job, since they applied.  It was really insulting they didn't get it.

There is no reason to talk to higher-ups.  At best, it will be better for a while and then the OP will be ignored and underappreciated again.

As the organization so clearly reminded the OP, this is not a paid job.  The OP doesn't owe them a conversation or two weeks' notice or anything else.

charlotte989875

Be done. 

Finish out any commitments but be clear that you’re no longer volunteering and you won’t be taking calls from staff to fix their issues. You’ve given them enough, find an organization that appreciates you. 

ALSO it’s highly inappropriate for them to reference your personal wealth in a job interview or feedback and that should be a massive red flag that you don’t want to work there.