Unfortunately not all my ventures out in our fabulous downtown are great.
A short time ago I got a call for volunteers for The Art Gallery of Calgary’s annual fundraiser AGCcooks, The Art of Cuisine. They were looking for people to tend bar, hang coats, look after the judges and generally help out as five restaurants cooked using a secret ingredient while 200 Calgarians paid $250 a plate to support the gallery and eat fine food with well-selected wine and beer pairings. I have vowed to volunteer more and this night spoke to two of my passions: art and food. I signed up.
Told to dress in black, semi-formal wear I donned my high-heeled boots and black sheath dress and called upon the gallery at the appointed time for what I anticipated to be a mutually beneficial night. I would give freely 7 hours of my time to help out with their fundraiser and in return I would be surrounded by happy, noshing people in a beautiful gallery space.
I was quite wrong. Yes, the space was beautiful. I have always loved the gallery and the tables set up that night were especially pretty. But I didn’t witness much smiling that night, at least not from the gallery staff. Instead of being treated as a invaluable volunteer, appreciated for giving up her time , I was treated like a juvenile delinquent guilty of defacing the gallery’s art and sent against everyone’s will to pay back my dues. It was a long night for me, full of hauling heavy crates of dirty dishes in my good dress, getting yelled at by gallery staff and then ultimately, after taking a moment to sit down without permission, being told to get up and start cleaning the oven and the stoves.
I did not honour my full seven hours. Myself and another volunteer left leaving the gallery staff to clean their own ovens.
This is one downtown (volunteer) experience I do not recommend.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I was deeply troubled when I read you story. What a horrible experience for you and the other volunteers. I hope you won’t let it discourage you from continuing to give your time and effort to causes that you are passionate about. Volunteers & Volunteerism is something that is incredibly valuable to our community it is definitely one of the best things about Calgary and Calgarians! I invite you to visit the Volunteer Calgary Website and check out some of the hundreds of other possible opportunities.
Karen,
Thanks for your response. No, I will continue to volunteer as I do believe in it and right now have time to volunteer. I will not go back to the Art Gallery of Calgary (and I’ve told them that). I am on your mail-out list and get weekly updates! Currently I’m volunteering with the Spoken Word Festival. Now THEY know how to treat volunteers, as do most organizations in Calgary, I hope. This gallery really needs to re-think their ways-and I hope they do.
Best,
Lisa
This is so frustrating to hear. Thank you for your honesty, and the time you took to provide this information for other volunteers out there.
Volunteering is an incredible way to give back to causes we believe in, and are passionate about. To hear this type of a story, really makes me question the gallery, their staff, and their motives behind requesting volunteers. Shame on the Art Gallery of Calgary, and AGCcooks, The Art of Cuisine.
Thank you for sharing your experience. As Paul said above this really makes me question their motives behind requesting volunteers.
I’m sorry to hear that! If you’re ever looking for a volunteer opportunity at another local gallery, Triangle is always looking for event, install and gallery attendant volunteers. We treat our volunteers like the valued members of the community they are. I’ve written many reference letters and prepared many meals for our volunteers. I’m glad one bad experience hasn’t put you off of volunteering. Good luck in the future!
(I realize this blog posting is over a year old, but it came up in my search and, well, there you have it)