Yes, the is nothing easy about firing either volunteers or employes. That's why they say it is lonely at the top. ------ Robert Handy Brazoria County Historical Museum 100 East Cedar Angleton, Texas 77515 (409) 864-1208 museum_bob [log in to unmask] http://www.bchm.org ---------- From: Elizabeth A. Moore[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 10:38 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: volunteer horror stories I had a high school volunteer once who could not understand why I would not let him take objects home to show his family. After three days of discussions and his refusing to even listen to my reasons I fired him. He would not guarantee to me that he would not remove objects from the building. His mother, who had pushed him to volunteer so he could have it on his resume for college apps, then came in with him the next day, pleaded with me to take him back, forced him to apologize in front of the lab crew, made him ask repeatedly to be allowed to come back, and in general created an extremely humiliating experience for the poor guy who was in tears through most of the final episode. While he had an interest in the project, it was his mother who created the horrific volunteer situation by refusing to accept my decision. Eventually they understood that I was not going to change my mind and left but it was a very bad experience. While I felt sorry for the kid, I could not jeopardize the security of the collections and there was no other non-collections place for him to volunteer at that time. -----Original Message----- From: Susan Young <[log in to unmask]> Newsgroups: bit.listserv.museum-l To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sunday, January 31, 1999 3:36 PM Subject: volunteer horror stories >I am presenting a session at our state museum conference on dealing with >difficult volunteers. I'm looking for real examples of real problems >you have encountered with a difficult volunteer, plus how you solved the >problem! > >Regards, >Susan Young >Shiloh Museum of Ozark History >Springdale, Arkansas >