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Location: Never in one place long | I am a member of an Animal Response Team, this is a volunteer group and it is run by members of the County with the goal of being prepared to deploy to help animals in the event of emergencies such as natural disasters or human caused threats. Anyways... to make a long story short, one of the members recieved a call from the president of the board saying that her "services" were no longer needed and basically kicking her out of our group. I was not at the meeting so not sure on the reasoning but this lady has a spina bifida disability and I believe this is the reason for kicking her out because she can't do some things. This woman was extremely hurt by this as she had been a very helpful member and had all her required testing and certificates to be a member. Also, our big theme lately has been that we need to recruit new members since our group is so small....kicking her out of the group seems to make no sense to me and I have never heard of such a thing happeneing for a volunteer group (we are a 501-c3)... What actions should I take? I am feeling that I want no part of a group that acts in this way but at the same time, I love the importance of what the group is meant to do.... |
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 Hugs to You
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Location: In The Land of Cotton | Go to the source of who said/told this woman she was no longer wanted and ask questions.
Then make an informed decision on what action you are willing to take. |
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  Fact Checker
Posts: 16572
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Legally, I am pretty certain that there isn't anything to be done. That being said, that is kind of an oxymoron type situation....."volunteer" is just that......how do you kick someone out for volunteering. surely this person, even with disabilites, could phone, do paper work, etc. ..... I, personally, would ask WHY this was done........sounds to me like someone has an "authority complex"......... |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | NJJ - 2015-03-25 10:23 AM Legally, I am pretty certain that there isn't anything to be done. That being said, that is kind of an oxymoron type situation....."volunteer" is just that......how do you kick someone out for volunteering. surely this person, even with disabilites, could phone, do paper work, etc. ..... I, personally, would ask WHY this was done........sounds to me like someone has an "authority complex".........
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Expert
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Location: Never in one place long | NJJ - 2015-03-25 10:23 AM
Legally, I am pretty certain that there isn't anything to be done. That being said, that is kind of an oxymoron type situation....."volunteer" is just that......how do you kick someone out for volunteering. surely this person, even with disabilites, could phone, do paper work, etc. ..... I, personally, would ask WHY this was done........sounds to me like someone has an "authority complex".........
I know it, exactly what I thought, it's ridiculous, especially when they are recruiting new volunteers.. I'm just so upset with the group, I'm not sure what to do. I guess they had a "board only" meeting after the regular meeting without her which has NEVER been done.... there are PLENTY of things she can and has done even if she can't get around that well.... |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | DLV - 2015-03-25 10:25 AM NJJ - 2015-03-25 10:23 AM Legally, I am pretty certain that there isn't anything to be done. That being said, that is kind of an oxymoron type situation....."volunteer" is just that......how do you kick someone out for volunteering. surely this person, even with disabilites, could phone, do paper work, etc. ..... I, personally, would ask WHY this was done........sounds to me like someone has an "authority complex"......... I know it, exactly what I thought, it's ridiculous, especially when they are recruiting new volunteers.. I'm just so upset with the group, I'm not sure what to do. I guess they had a "board only" meeting after the regular meeting without her which has NEVER been done.... there are PLENTY of things she can and has done even if she can't get around that well....
I would want to know the real reason why this was done to her. Her having a disability is not a good reason to kick her out. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| I'd almost consider quitting the group too - that breaks my heart for the poor lady - good grief, she was GIVING her time! |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Griz - 2015-03-25 11:08 AM
I'd almost consider quitting the group too - that breaks my heart for the poor lady - good grief, she was GIVING her time!
Yes she was Griz, and she had stored all our supplies for years in her garage and had paid money for the testing etc. She called me bawling, it has truly broken her heart. Sickens me people can be so cruel. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| I would definitely ask too. I don't know what's wrong with people. I know there's not much you can do but I'd raise hell if it is for that reason.. |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9991
Location: Kansas | if she was employed......she could file with the EEOC in regards to discrimination due to her disability. But since it's technically a non-profit, volunteer thing...there would be nothing that could be done in regards to that issue.
She can always contact the KS bar association's attorney referral service to see what can be done. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Start a new animal rescue. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| DLV - 2015-03-25 11:38 AM
Griz - 2015-03-25 11:08 AM
I'd almost consider quitting the group too - that breaks my heart for the poor lady - good grief, she was GIVING her time!
Yes she was Griz, and she had stored all our supplies for years in her garage and had paid money for the testing etc. She called me bawling, it has truly broken her heart. Sickens me people can be so cruel.
Oh my gosh, that poor lady! I hate this! |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | If you are a member of this group then you have every right to contact the one on the board who let her go. I would also ask a few of the other board members. Be nice, and non confrontational but I'd sure inquire as to their resons. |
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 Playing the Waiting Game
Posts: 2304
| AND after you quit the group have the local news report on what they did in the midst of recruitment! |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | does SHE want anything done about it? |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Has she had any conflict or caused problems within the group in the past? If she can still perform her duties, I don't see why they would kick her out due to her disability. I'm sure they were aware of it when she joined, so I'm thinking there's something else going on.
As far as legal issues, I highly doubt there's anything she can do. What would she want to accomplish by taking legal action? Force them to let her back in? That would be awkward.
I suggest she find a new group to devote her time to since she is clearly not valued with that one.
ETA: since you weren't at the meeting, you are trying to make decisions based on assumptions. You need to find out the FACTS, not just go on what you "think" the reason was. Then you can decide if you still want to remain in the group.
Edited by Gunner11 2015-03-26 10:12 AM
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | Gunner11 - 2015-03-26 10:09 AM Has she had any conflict or caused problems within the group in the past? If she can still perform her duties, I don't see why they would kick her out due to her disability. I'm sure they were aware of it when she joined, so I'm thinking there's something else going on. As far as legal issues, I highly doubt there's anything she can do. What would she want to accomplish by taking legal action? Force them to let her back in? That would be awkward. I suggest she find a new group to devote her time to since she is clearly not valued with that one. ETA: since you weren't at the meeting, you are trying to make decisions based on assumptions. You need to find out the FACTS, not just go on what you "think" the reason was. Then you can decide if you still want to remain in the group.
Exactly! Thats why I said she needs to talk to the powers that be that let her go. There may be more to the story that the OP isnt aware of. It's never good to go off half cocked with only one side of the story. There is always 2 sides. Then the op can make trully informed decisions on what direction to go next. Maybe start a new organization with the one that was let go. There is always need for multiple resources. Or, if the reasons were trully justified, then she knows and is better off staying right where she is. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | I don't believe a reason has to be given to let a volunteer go. Most likely there is more to it than you realize and they had a reason for letting this person go. |
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