I think this is on the right track. Get the volunteers themselves involved in solving the problem. It might be that their negativity was created by the way they were treated by a previous administration. If they feel that they are not respected or appreciated, they may respond with negativity. Sometimes the best way to solve a difficult situation with volunteers is to ask them what's on their minds, listen to what they say, and work with them toward a solution that everyone can live with.



On Tue, 24 July 2001, Exhibitions Department wrote:

>
> My initial feeling is, why do they continue to volunteer if they are so
> negative about the place?  Maybe the gossiping is their way of showing that
> they feel "connected" to the staff, or perhaps that they are needing to
> portray themselves as being important ("look what I know!") even though they
> are "just volunteers."  The staff that works with them should try to feed
> this need in other ways that are more positive.  I don't know what these
> ways could be.  Or, since the volunteer group is supposed to be
> self-policing, ask the pres/vp (even though they are themselves culprits!)
> to handle the situation--maybe they will feel the need to set an example and
> their own bad behavior will decrease as a result.
>
> Julia Moore
> Indianapolis Art Center
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
> Behalf Of Pamela Sezgin
> Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 5:05 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: volunteers at museums
>
>
> Dear Ellen, Julia, and other Listers,
>
> Ok, here's a question about Volunteers at Museums.
>
> What do you do when you have a long-established volunteer or several
> volunteers who you've inherited from past administrations, and they are very
> negative about the Museum?     They come to work on a regular basis,  but
> they like to gossip and sometimes they gossip about staff with patrons!!!!!
>
>
> This situation was recently described to me by a friend who is the executive
> director of a small Georgia history museum.    The volunteers seem to be
> angry that they are not in charge of running the museum anymore since it now
> has a few professional staff people.
>
> It seems to me that the situation is a kind of power play on the part of
> certain volunteers, including by the president and vice president of the
> volunteers group.  I advised my friend against "firing" these volunteers
> because it could create bad feelings in the community.     I suggested he
> talk to them and try to get to the root of their problems, which he has done
> in the past, but it seems they just like to complain.
>
> What can my friend do?  He has inherited this situation.   It's not of his
> making.
> It's a SMALL museum so there is no paid, professional volunteer director.
> The events/ membership staff member handles the greeters or front desk
> volunteers.
> The educator ( a paid, staff position) is in charge of the docents.    The
> volunteer
> organization is supposed to be in charge of making their own schedule and
> supporting the staff by handling basic visitor services activities and
> helping out at fund-raising events.
>
> What do you suggest?
>
> Cordially,
> pamela sezgin
>
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