GAD - they said I didn't show up

[Virgderon]

I did my day on January 30th.

It was at a thrift store, and I not only did the work, but I donated 2 large bags of very good quality clothing.

I just got an e-mail from Disney that they are sorry I missed my day and I am welcome to sign up for another opportunity.

It says if you did not miss, you should contact the organization that you volunteered with.

I don't have high hopes, because they did not seem very organized, nor did they seem happy to have us. They said they were getting too many Disney volunteers.

This is a heads up for everyone to make sure you sign in and are acknowledged for being there.

I signed a volunteer form, and got a receipt for my donation, but I guess that wasn't enough.

 

[kbheap]

Hopefully this will work out! Maybe someone will remember you being there and can vouch for you.

 

[BradyBz12]

I would contact the organization and see what they say. Could be they're just slow to confirm volunteers in the system, but you should absolutely get credit for your service and if the organization can't keep up with the program as it was designed (and they agreed to) Disney should be notified.

 

[graceesmom]

I am so sorry to hear that. I know that must be frustrating. I hope it works out for you.

 

[BabaGanoush]

I would contact the organization and see what they say. Could be they're just slow to confirm volunteers in the system, but you should absolutely get credit for your service and if the organization can't keep up with the program as it was designed (and they agreed to) Disney should be notified.

I would do the same thing. However, understand that Disney does not police the volunteer organizations (there are just too many of them) and will not issue vouchers unless they have confirmation from the organization that service was completed. It is a checks and balance system to confirm that people are not scamming or abusing the system. So this is in the hands of that organization. It stinks but sometimes that is how volunteerism works.

 

[SKWDW]

A similar thing happened to us. I just e-mailed the coordinator from the volunteer org and explained the problem. She went back in to the Disney GAD portal and changed our status to completed.

BTW, it took about three days for the Disney site to show the change to us.

Good luck!

 

[B-Ride]

I don't have high hopes, because they did not seem very organized, nor did they seem happy to have us. They said they were getting too many Disney volunteers.

That's a real shame that someone working for a volunteer organization would lament getting too many volunteers.

When my sons and I signed up, the person in charge apologized for taking so long to get back to me because they were swamped with volunteers. She went out of her way to find worthwhile activities for everyone who volunteered and was extremely appreciative of our efforts.

Still, don't give up. Contact them and see if they can get things cleared up. They signed up for the program and they have an obligation to follow it through.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

That's a real shame that someone working for a volunteer organization would lament getting too many volunteers.

When my sons and I signed up, the person in charge apologized for taking so long to get back to me because they were swamped with volunteers. She went out of her way to find worthwhile activities for everyone who volunteered and was extremely appreciative of our efforts.

Still, don't give up. Contact them and see if they can get things cleared up. They signed up for the program and they have an obligation to follow it through.

Early in my professional career I work for almost 13 years at the National Headquarters of The American Red Cross. Part of my duties involved travel to major disasters for periods of several months.

One thing I found about the "Care of Volunteers" was that if someone volunteers they really do want to do something. If you have too many volunteers, which is possible under some circumstances, and you have nothing for them to do they get disillusioned and unhappy with the organization.

I think that many organizations did not foresee the numbers of people coming for this program and did not realize that the way they were scheduling they had people with nothing to do. That is not good for the organization. Many volunteers feel better if overworked (to an small extent).

 

[a1tinkfans]

Good Luck OP, perhaps a simple call will resolve this for you!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

OP, my family of 5 volunteered in Jan. on MLK Day and my daughter was accidentally noted as not being there (she was on the next page of the sign in and just got skipped somehow). I just emailed the woman in charge and she contacted Disney and fixed it! Hope you can do the same.

It's too bad that not everyone is happy about the volunteers. Our experience was wonderful and they were very happy to have all of us (group of about 70 and I'm sure many were GAD volunteers!)