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Post by AnimalRescuePea on Apr 18, 2019 7:07:31 GMT
Can a nonprofit volunteer be fired (i.e., not allowed to volunteer) for reporting other volunteers to law enforcement for violating local ordinances? Are nonprofits allowed to discriminate against volunteers for any reason? (These are two separate but related questions.)
There are also violations of state and federal anti-discrimination laws against potential adopters, but it can't be proven.
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Post by gryroagain on Apr 18, 2019 7:59:33 GMT
I have no idea, but as a long time animal rescue person I feel your pain. Negotiating the crazy is an emotionally draining experience on top of the already stressful animal rescue issues.
I hope you can successfully fight for change and good. The animals deserve no less.
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Post by hop2 on Apr 18, 2019 11:25:01 GMT
Whistle blowing laws are under attack right now. Not sure who they apply to anymore.
Do they even apply in an at will state?
Somehow I doubt it applies to a charity.
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Post by dudleypippen on Apr 18, 2019 11:29:47 GMT
A quick Google search seems to reveal that it is possible in some cases to sue a non profit for discrimination. I would think the challenge would be that this is a civil matter, not criminal, and you would have to find an attorney willing to take your case.
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peabrain
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,588 
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Post by peabrain on Apr 18, 2019 13:11:30 GMT
What do you want the final outcome to be? That you want to keep volunteering? Or that you want the crazy person to be convicted of what they are doing to the animals?
Sorry, not really what you asked but I'm just not sure what you want the final result to be.
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Post by allison1954 on Apr 18, 2019 13:18:31 GMT
I am on the board of a non profit, we are not “required” to accept volunteers. We are allowed to choose who we want working with us.
If you feel strongly about this, do something about it, but understand you may not be welcomed.
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schizo319
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,030
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Post by schizo319 on Apr 18, 2019 14:57:34 GMT
I got caught up in a controversy involving the local Animal Shelter where I used to volunteer. (Our mayor was demanding mass euthanasia and some of us spoke to the media about it)
The Mayor-controlled board decided to rewrite our volunteer contracts to add what I thought were unreasonable requirements:
1.) That we were personally/financially responsible if we were with one of the shelter animals and it injured a member of the public (yet the shelter itself is NOT responsible for injuries caused by animals in their care).
2.) We were FORBIDDEN from speaking with the media.
After 6 years of service, I chose not to sign the new volunteer contract and haven't volunteered since.
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Post by mom on Apr 18, 2019 16:01:44 GMT
I am on the board of a non profit, we are not “required” to accept volunteers. We are allowed to choose who we want working with us. If you feel strongly about this, do something about it, but understand you may not be welcomed. This. I sit on a couple of non-profit boards and no, we are not required to accept any volunteers that we don't want, for whatever reason (though, I have never seen someone be denied access to volunteer except in reasons where their criminal background was an issue and another case where the volunteer routinely would sign up to work 'xyz' and then no-show. This happened probably 8 times in a 6 month period and it was just ridiculous). Since volunteers are not employees, we are not held to same legal standard as we would be with employees. |
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Post by Bridget in MD on Apr 18, 2019 16:42:05 GMT
I am a volunteer with Girl Scouts and Boy scouts. I don't know too much with BS but I know with GS, esp cookie sales, volunteers have been charged with crimes and asked to step down. Recently, a group of GS were hit in Michigan, I believe, while cleaning a highway and one of the girls died. The leader organized a candle-light vigil, but bc of something with a go-fund me account, the Council stepped in and asked the leader to step down. It's been a while so I don't remember all the details, but it was a very sticky situation.
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Post by janskylar on Apr 18, 2019 16:51:34 GMT
What is more important? Speaking up about something that is wrong or maintaining the current state of things because speaking up could get you dismissed? Seriously, no snark intended since I have no idea if animals are being harmed or what exactly is going on here.
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peabrain
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,588
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Post by peabrain on Apr 18, 2019 17:35:45 GMT
What is more important? Speaking up about something that is wrong or maintaining the current state of things because speaking up could get you dismissed? Seriously, no snark intended since I have no idea if animals are being harmed or what exactly is going on here. If my memory serves me correctly, op has spoken up before and the organization has chosen to support the "other person". If I recall, it may be a possible hoarding situation, so while the worker may take in a lot of animals and benefits the organization, this may not be the best place for the animals. But since "X is a good person" or "we've always done it this way" is hard to overcome in some areas, OP is up against people who aren't willing to make changes. Do I have this correct OP? |
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