This reminds me of a volunteer situation I blundered my way through,
as a newly hired professional.  I wish I'd had more knowledge and
sensitivity to the actual situation.  From my perspective, they were
just volunteers.  I was here and could now do things.  I realized they
had done more in the past, some of which was not to professional
standards.

Several years past the situation, I've now read more of the admin
files and realize all that they did.  They had major roles and
responsibilities in the running of the site, and were somewhat pushed
aside by permanent staff.  I think paid staff and volunteers were both
caught in the transition and suffered for it.  Perhaps if I'd known
more and we had had some frank discussions about the changes, with
some appreaciation for what the volunteers had done, it would have
gone better. Maybe an easing of responsibilities, rather than a sudden
drop.

It is hard to give up power, especially when the changes aren't fully
comprehended by both sides.


  >_***How ironic to read on the very problem I have been
  having all month with 'volunteers'. This kind of sticky
  situation is all new and unfamiliar to me. I have also
  inheritated these volunteers.

  I come from a background where volunteers always worked
  under the staff. Now I am in a new environment where the
  volunteers started this particular museum, are themselves
  board members, and have opted to hire professional staff to
  administer AAM standards. Problem is, when there is a board
  member/volunteer who wants to do it "their" way, going against
  procedures, it becomes a personal issue, rather than work
  related when a staff member points this out. You can fill
  in the rest of the negativity that flows out of this one.

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