Moral dilemma volunteering?

Question

I would love some advice on how to handle this issue I am having with an international org I was volunteering with. The delima is that I was volunteering here in Romania with a group here. During that time I was told that 2 of the directors here (girls) had mislead a mother into allowing her child ti reside with them temporarly. Now that mother wants her child back and the girls are keeping the child. ( laws are different here and because of severe racism the police will not interviene) anyway. I made a remark about how basicly that is kidnapping and within days they began sabataging me. Lies were told and complaints made. Anyway I am no longer volunteering with them and now the director is getting ugly about 2 things that would not matter were it not me, She sent me an ugly email about owing them 4$ for a lost key and how she is expecting that and my badge back by Thursday. Well volunteers are allowed to keep their badges Since most of us have memtoes from our overseas missions.

Answer 1

I strongly caution you against telling her to F-OFF, no matter how much you probably want to. You know you're in the right, but try to keep in mind that she is still connected to the organization and you are not. I assume this gives her a bit more support, at least locally, should the situation between you two become more tense.

I think you should distance yourself from this woman and the people who could possibly be in her corner. Maybe just give in about the $4 so she can’t claim any wrongdoing on your part, and then try to avoid her as much as possible. Once she’s safely in your past go ahead and file that complaint with the main office. Someone higher up should definitely be made aware of her corruption, but do it without putting yourself in danger.

Answer 2

Keep all her emails/letters! Do you have a contract or any other paperwork to back you up about the key and badge? They seem very shady and I'd do my best to stay away from them. If they have a supervisor above them, talk to that person. You just don't want to get a bad reference in the future.

Answer 3

Do NOT tell her off. Your behavior needs to be absolutely above board. Make sure you have documentation of everything that has happened and have reported such to the appropriate executive body (if that's in the office in the states, fine), make any payments that are in dispute, and get out of that organization as QUICKLY as possible! Don't delay it any longer. It is not worth it for your peace of mind nor your reputation to stay there even one minute longer. If there is anyone there that would back up your claims, you need to take that person aside and ask them if they would be willing to do so should someone from the executive body.  If there is someone at the organization who would be willing to be your reference should you try to volunteer or work at another organization in the area, make sure you talk to that person about acting as such -- don't just assume he or she will without your asking for such.

The ramifications of doing anything else could mean putting any future volunteering efforts at risk -- or even put yourself in danger. This situation is only going to get worse, so cut your losses and get OUT.

There are other organizations in Romania, better run, that would be better served by your time and energy.

Answer 4

If I were you, I would not want to be in any way associated with any organization that forcibly takes kids away from parents.  I'd quit and go home if I were you.

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