Hi all,
I'm a 40-something diagnosed autistic male who until recently was a volunteer Chair of a community on behalf of a charity. A small group of the community (~5 people) took a personal dislike to me and convinced the charity to remove me from my role. I have been provided with no reason as to why I have been removed, as I'm told to do so would reveal the identity of the complainants (I know this is nonsense, but the chairty persists.)
Upon my removal, 6 other volunteers resigned, and a major event was cancelled, resulting in a significant shortfall for the charity (last year the same event raised ~£4000). Approximately 15 other members of the community have written to the charity appealing the decision and expounding support for me, but the chairty continues to double down and insist.
I believe this is entirely because I'm autistic, and thus a small group of the members don't like me. The charity originally mentioned "communication issues" and "leadership style" as complaints, but quickly backed away from those statements once I pointed out my disability and the significant measures I've put into place to account for my interaction with the community (among other things, I appointed a vice-chair and a welfare officer.)
I believe that I have been removed because I'm autistic and this small group of members struggle to deal with that. I have submitted a complaint to the charity commission, but I'm unsure what else I should be doing.
Any help?
N.