No. No. No. (NWR)

melbenso · February 2015

So, I volunteer with a local organization that is having it's major fundraiser next Wednesday. It's a fashion show. Several long time volunteers with the organization were asked if we could help out that night. Four of us said yes, but never heard anything back from the lady who is in charge of the event. Today, after a prompting email from one us planning to volunteer, we get a response telling us that we must be there by 5 p.m., will be working as "runners," and that dress is "business chic."

Never mind that we are all professionals with 8-5 jobs (and my office is an hour from the site of the fundraiser), so this might present a challenge to, um, all of us. But what the hell is business chic dress? Are you expecting me in a suit and sequins? A cocktail dress and sensible shoes? Now, since this is a fashion show and their biggest money making event, I wasn't planning on wearing jeans and a ratty t-shirt, but I don't think I'll be showing up to volunteer at all now. *facepalm*

JellyBean52513 · February 2015

When I hear "business chic," I think of something that you could wear both to the office during the day and then straight out for date night or drinks with friends afterwards. I don't think this particular request for attire is out of line; it's a fashion show, and they'd like the people staffing it to look the part. Obviously I don't think you'd wear jeans and a t-shirt lol but this isn't a wedding or a party where you're an invited guest, it's a major fundraising event where you are a staff member (albeit a volunteer who's working for free) and I think it's ok that they ask you to wear a particular style of clothing for the event. I agree that "business chic" is a little, uh, generic and vague of a description.

As for requiring you to be there at 5.... well, I guess more than a week's notice would have been nice, but you knew your work schedule when you volunteered. I don't think it would be right to just not show up, since they're probably counting on you. If you can't do it, or can't even ask to show up late since your commute there will take an hour, then contact them right away and let them know you won't be able to help anymore.

mlg78 · February 2015

I think 5pm is a time they should have mentioned to you prior to agreeing to volunteer -- or did they? It sounds like someone at the organization isn't so good at communicating, especially with volunteers... I agree with JellyBean's description of "business chic"...but I totally wouldn't have worded it as "business chic" to volunteers...few people would be able to figure that out, I'd think. Is the person coordinating this someone you could provide this feedback to so it doesn't happen again?

Dreamergirl8812 · February 2015

I disagree on business chic. If you took "business" out of it she'd be telling these women to dress chic. That's jusy bizarre to me.

weddingcactus · February 2015

Ugh. Rude. But as to "business chic", I guess I'd think business attire but more fashion forward. So a boring suit and basic blouse might not be "chic" enough for a fashion show. Admittedly I'm not anywhere near "chic" on a daily basis, so I can't tell you what exactly to wear, but I'd guess business appropriate, but fashionable (with jewelry, accessories, etc). Good luck! And if you decide to wear a sequined suit, we're going to need pictures.

melbenso · February 2015

Well, I'm not the only one who was confused by "business chic." One of the other volunteers emailed this lady back asking what that meant, and also asked whether they would be feeding us if they expected us to show up and work through dinner time.

And the event starts at 7, so asking us to be there by 5 was kind of a surprise to everyone. I figured they would want us there by 6:30 or so, which is doable, even with an hour's drive from my office. If I had known when they asked for volunteers that I wouldn't be able to make it from work in time, I would have told them I was unable to make it in time.

Sadly, I don't have a sequined suit, so I doubt that will be happening. But now i totally want one. They may just have to deal with one of my "I'm in court today suits" if I determine that I can leave my office early enough to get there to volunteer. I'll be making that decision today (honestly, will depend in part on whether there will be food provided for us, because I know I can't leave early enough to get dinner and get there by 5).

PrettyGirlLost · February 2015

"Business chic" is a bullshit fashion term. Same as snappy casual, business casual, semi-formal, etc.

It's more helpful for people to just flat out tell you what they expect you too wear. I wouldn't assume what I would wear in a corporate office would be "chic" or glam enough for a fashion show without the right accessories and perhaps changing my blouse.

PrettyGirlLost · February 2015

melbenso said:

Well, I'm not the only one who was confused by "business chic." One of the other volunteers emailed this lady back asking what that meant, and also asked whether they would be feeding us if they expected us to show up and work through dinner time.

And the event starts at 7, so asking us to be there by 5 was kind of a surprise to everyone. I figured they would want us there by 6:30 or so, which is doable, even with an hour's drive from my office. If I had known when they asked for volunteers that I wouldn't be able to make it from work in time, I would have told them I was unable to make it in time.

Sadly, I don't have a sequined suit, so I doubt that will be happening. But now i totally want one. They may just have to deal with one of my "I'm in court today suits" if I determine that I can leave my office early enough to get there to volunteer. I'll be making that decision today (honestly, will depend in part on whether there will be food provided for us, because I know I can't leave early enough to get dinner and get there by 5).

If it's a skirt suit I'd change into a sequin or binged out or baddass blouse and loose the jacket, killer pumps, and either statement necklace/earrings depending on what type of blouse I'm wearing.

If it's a pant suit I'd wear a funky graphic T shirt, keep the jacket, and still wear statement jewelry. Type of shoes will depend on how long your pants are hemmed, but I'd definitely wear something more fun and flashy than what I'd wear in court.

melbenso · February 2015

scribe95 said:

And I can't believe a volunteer asked when they would be fed. Kind of rude. If you don't want to volunteer then don't. Or just accept that you agreed and make it work.

I'm not asking to be fed. If I won't be able to eat dinner there, I have to stop and get food on my way. The event runs until 11 p.m. I will need to eat some time between leaving my office and 11 p.m. And I can't get out of work early enough to stop for food and make it there anywhere close to the time they want volunteers to show up. So, if there isn't food available to us, I won't be able to volunteer.

ETA - I was kidding about the sequined suit. But I also won't have time to stop home and change.

PrettyGirlLost · February 2015

scribe95 said:

I think you are overthinking this. No one said a sequined suit. A decent dress with fun jewelry would work etc.

And I can't believe a volunteer asked when they would be fed. Kind of rude. If you don't want to volunteer then don't. Or just accept that you agreed and make it work.

I don't agree. I don't think it's rude to politley ask if a meal will be provided or a break for a meal will be provided, especially when they are expected to come straight from work to work this event, and the event lasts until 11pm- or later if they are expected to help with anything afterwards. I work as a volunteer staff member for a large gaming convention held 3 times a year, and we are given food vouchers to use while we are on shift.

Fairyjen1 · February 2015

scribe95 said:

I think you are overthinking this. No one said a sequined suit. A decent dress with fun jewelry would work etc.

And I can't believe a volunteer asked when they would be fed. Kind of rude. If you don't want to volunteer then don't. Or just accept that you agreed and make it work.

I don't think it's rude at all. It's not like they were invited to a party where it'd be rude to ask such a question. These people are essentially working as free labor. If I were going to have to be there so soon after work I would want to know too, so I knew if I had to stop and pick up something or if something would be there for us to eat.

Kahlyla · February 2015

I don't think it's rude to simply ask when/how you might go about grabbing a bite to eat. It's reasonable that they should at least give you the chance to sit down and eat something at some point. But don't overthink the issue - you can always being some leftovers from home or something that will keep until after work and then - I would imagine - heat it up once on site. There are plenty of options that don't require you to pick them up in between the end of work and the start of the event. It's just planning ahead for a long day.

SP29 · February 2015

I agree with JellyBean's interpretation of Business Chic, but I agree, it is confusing and they should have been more specific (i.e. dress pants).

Sounds like poor communication. They should have told you prior to asking for volunteers what the shift is (or you should ask prior to committing).

I also don't think it is rude to ask about a meal. That is a LONG event, and volunteers are providing free labour. If this was a job, at least where I'm from, 7 hours would get you a 30min and 15min break. Any volunteer event I've done, there has always been at least snacks provided and if the shift is long/ over a meal time, at least a simple meal for lunch/ dinner (like a sandwhich and bag of chips, or fruit/veggies, plus something to drink). I don't think one can demand a meal, but at least to know if there WILL be food or not, and if not, if there will be time to get something.

OP- I would e-mail the lady back and let her know you work till 5pm and the event is an hour drive. Tell her you can still volunteer but you are not able to arrive until 6/6:30pm. If she is OK with that, you will still volunteer, if not, you'll have to rescind your offer. Volunteers are hard to come by, so I would think they'd take a part time volunteer (though you'll still be there for the whole "event" portion) than none.

photokitty · February 2015

melbenso said:

scribe95 said:

And I can't believe a volunteer asked when they would be fed. Kind of rude. If you don't want to volunteer then don't. Or just accept that you agreed and make it work.

I'm not asking to be fed. If I won't be able to eat dinner there, I have to stop and get food on my way. The event runs until 11 p.m. I will need to eat some time between leaving my office and 11 p.m. And I can't get out of work early enough to stop for food and make it there anywhere close to the time they want volunteers to show up. So, if there isn't food available to us, I won't be able to volunteer.

ETA - I was kidding about the sequined suit. But I also won't have time to stop home and change.

I have never volunteered to work an event that included food and not been fed, it seems to be the norm around our area. It usually comes with the territory if food is being served to the attendees.

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