My Nonprofit Reviews

Whipsawing Communication with Volunteers

My experience volunteering with Britepaths was disorienting and disappointing. A program manager there initially brought me on board in January 2024 to help out with bilingual office administration 1 afternoon per week, explaining that I could use a spare office occasionally if needed, which I was grateful for because my boss at my full-time job allowed me Wednesday afternoons off to volunteer at Britepaths on the condition that I be available to jump on a call in an emergency. Across roughly 3 visits, I learned various systems and procedures to help out, and took detailed notes that ended up capturing unwritten aspects of several procedures that weren't fully documented. I received no negative feedback or comments.

After the 3rd visit, I was notified that the manager I had been working with wasn't at Britepaths any longer. A different, senior program manager, emailed me to express their appreciation for my willingness to volunteer, confirmed their understanding of my one-afternoon-per-week schedule, and asked when I could be available for a continued training session to support the transition after the old manager left. I replied to confirm for the following Thursday afternoon.

That Thursday morning, I emailed to confirm I'd be in around 1pm, and received a reply that that week's volunteer work had already been completed, and was asked to come in at my normal time next Wednesday. When I came in next Wednesday afternoon, a 3rd, different Senior Program Manager invited me to their office and explained that my Wednesday afternoon schedule wouldn't work for Britepaths, and suggested I find somewhere else to volunteer. There was no room for further discussion or explanation. I left feeling like they chewed me up and spit me out, and ultimately regret getting involved with Britepaths. The complete 180 from starting onboarding and appreciation to being shown the door, was jarring and unpleasant.