My Nonprofit Reviews

I volunteered and served as a Board Member for a state chapter of AFSP. I raised money for the organization, but my skills were better suited to offer programming, supporting survivors of suicide loss, and training. I spent 9 years serving this organization only to be asked to leave my Board position and I was forbidden from volunteering for this organization in the future. I was notified of this, unexpectedly and suddenly, by 2 members of the National Board I had never met, and had never personally seen my work. I was never given reasons why I could no longer serve on the Board or as a volunteer.
Over the 9 years, i became increasingly concerned about this organization's model of volunteer management. I found it to be abusive. It is run similarly to a "puppy mill" operation. They recruit volunteers who are commonly survivors of suicide loss and/or people who have experienced mental health concerns or suicidal thoughts (people who are very vulnerable). The mentality is to "produce" as many volunteers, offer limited training, take advantage of the volunteers' pain by leading them to believe they are honoring their loved one by raising funds, teaching, advocating and using them up only to cast them aside as new volunteers come into the organization. There is only one paid staff member charged with training and supporting a state full of volunteers. The fundraising, advocacy, program implementation, walk organizing....is done exclusively by volunteers. It is a set up for burnout among the volunteer workers.
The organization has no consistent plan for using the funds raised in each state.
The manner in which this organization used me and cast me aside created the very scenario they train to prevent. They created an environment that took away my hope, left me confused, accused, abandoned; the very events this organization teaches are precursors to thoughts of suicide.
I've waited to post this review so I had opportunity to gain perspective. It is not "Sour Grapes". It is "beware"; Protect yourself.
Work and donate to local groups who can be held accountable for the model they use and the way they manage volunteers.