Published on 12, July, 2020
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.
In the last year which I've led the community, we have broken records for annual fundraising and membership numbers. The community has never been more prosperous. 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.
I know where you're coming from. For your mental health it's probably best to cut your losses and walk away. You aren't the one with the problem.
I've quit jobs for similar reasons and been let go. It's just one of the many challenges we have to deal with.
The issue of bullying in charity and volunteering organisations seems to have been a huge problem, even before Covid
If they are a member of any bodies, I would consider reporting them to these other bodies - and I would consider reporting these incidents to the Charity Commission as well, as they clearly need to be investigated
ah a coup, there could be other reasons they do this, if they do it so they take control of the head of it they could be doing it so they could pilfer and steal charity funds for their own bank accounts... but yeah if the charity stands with it, its their loss... they get what they get in the end, it will be karma if they lose money, karma if these people take charge that removed you and then steals from and breaks the charity. if the charity cannot see whats in its own best interest than its their loss.
Cut your losses, forget about it. This is why I left volunteer work about 25 years ago. People were more interested in playing politics and power games rather than in doing anything useful. I bet that the organizers would prefer to run the charity to the ground rather than have you back.