Need advice about managing psycho volunteers.

[wildeyed]

So I have been organizing voter registration tables at minority area grocery stores since June. I work independently, but with the knowledge and blessings of several local dem activist groups. The events have been quite productive. In addition, I have a follow up plan to get the new voters to the polls.

I organized an event this weekend that was a little rocky. Another volunteer picked the site and it was slow and somewhat republican. So they pulled up stakes early. I was planning to send an apology to the volunteers, thanking them for their time and vowing to do better next time. But before I have a chance to do that, I get the NASTIEST email from one of the volunteers basically accusing me of being a RNC mole, not sending in my forms, etc. So I have already replied, I accused him of moledom and membership in the circular firing squad, but what do you do in these situations? If he was an employee, I would just fire him, but it is hard to fire volunteers. Plus it hurts my feelings. I am killing myself to elect Kerry and dems in my state, I shouldn't get attacked by members of my own team. ARRGH!!!

[XanaDUer]

1. I think you answered your own question.

The word "psycho" is the operative word. You cannot manage the deranged. To accuse you of being an operative "mole" is from someone who is not wrapped too tightly to begin with.

I used to manage volunteers, and while many were nice, helpful people, there was a fair contingent that made more problems than they alleviated.

I would have kept the copy of his e-mail, but not responded in kind (I realize you were pissed and you have a right to be, but it's best not to feed into this person's paranoia. It could escalate.)

Good luck. You are absolutley right about being mad.

[wildeyed]

5. I probably should not have pressed 'send'.

But his proof of my moledom was that I didn't go to organizer meetings. I do in fact go to organizer meetings, but I have found it more productive to actually organize than it is to talk about organizing. Also, I have two very small children and a husband who works retail hours, so I can't get out in the evening without paying a sitter, which I can't afford.

This is my first bad experience with a volunteer. Everyone else has, to a person, been completely pleasant and helpful. I guess it took me by surprise.

[XanaDUer]

8. Lol. There's one in every bunch.

Yes, his "proof" demonstrates without a doubt you are, indeed, an RNC mole. :eyes:

Sounds like a loon. I always try to remember that writing lasts forever,which keeps me from hitting the send button too much.

[wildeyed]

9. Plus now I had to apologize to the SOB.

If I had been smart enough to wait, I could have taken the high road and sent him a very frosty, carefully worded email severing our working relationship. Instead I had to say I'm sorry and it is my own damn fault. Grrrrrr....

[XanaDUer]

11. Or...

taken the high road and then acted like he was an unreasonable nut.

Well, don't beat yourself up. We all send stuff that, if we thought about it, would not have do so.

Screw him. Give him an apology, do what another poster here said and explain your position, and if he does not accept it, don't call him anymore or ask someone else to take him. Then, if THEY have problems with him, he'll get a name as a troublemaker.

[Nay]

2. He may not be an employee, but that doesn't mean you have

to accept him as a volunteer just because he shows up. Some volunteers do more to hurt an organization than help it.

[Jane Eyre]

3. I agree

I've managed volunteers for the party as well, and it ain't always easy. Keep the copy of the email but don't answer it. You might also make a list of people that you registered that day, and the names of the other volunteers at the table with you. Then make sure that you get the registration cards to the board of elections as soon as possible and double-check to make sure that they are on the rolls. It sounds as though you are already doing this.

The reason that I say this is that it is against the law to register voters and not turn in the cards in a timely manner. The reasons are obvious - you must register voters no matter what party they are affiliated with and you can't throw away the Republican registrations.

If this nutcase is a Republican plant, he/she could come back and accuse you of breaking the law by not turning in all the registered voters. Cover your backside this time, and don't invite him/her back the next time.

[wildeyed]

7. There was an accusation that he might have taken not only the registrations

that he did, but some that other volunteers filled out. The other volunteers will back me on this if a problem arises. I will be certain that all the forms are sent in in a timely manner. I always follow the registration rules. I also make copies of my forms to track problems. Hopefully there won't be any.

[Warpy]

4. First, bag the email

Get the person in for a face to face conference. Ask what that person feels the problem is, and LISTEN. It may be crap. It may be something you need to know. In any case, you then get to explain your position to that person. If your explanation is accepted, and if that person has told you something useful, then the relationship can continue. If not, then offer that person an out, just do it respectfully.

People are tough to cope with, but face to face meetings are much better and more efficient than a flame war by email.

I've been a boss, and I've had to hire and fire. It's no picnic, which is why I've avoided it for the past 20 years. Good luck.

[wildeyed]

6. Too late, I flamed already.

But I will send a conciliatory email and offer the olive branch. Won't work with him again, that is for sure.

[crispini]

10. Ahhhhhhhhh.... Democratic Volunteers

there are a million varieties of annoying.

Psycho Nutjob with subtypes Hostile and Overly Friendly. Sounds like you ran into one of the Hostile varieties. Don't let it worry you too much, some people are just wack.

All Hat, No Cattle Talks a lot but never does much. Subspecies: Big Timewaster.

Possessive Fond of starting turf wars, prone to keeping silos of information that should be shared.

I love 'em all. I think the trick is, 1) Grow a really thick skin. 2) Always appreciate the essential Buddhanature of the person, their humanity, their soul if you will. Honor who they are and what they are trying to do and work with that. 3) Take a deep breath and perhaps recite a mantra. My current favorite is "I do not belong to any organized party. I am a Democrat." 4) Then, act appropriately.

This approach, though general, has worked for me in a variety of situataions. Coming from a blindingly fast-paced corporate environment it's easy for me to get frustrated with those who are less focussed or efficient than I am. I'm kind of a type A. So I really have to make an effort to gear down and work with what I got.

That said, I agree with some of the other posters: always CYA!

[XanaDUer]

12. Probably not just Dem volunteers

If we're this bad, consider what FREEPER volunteers are like!

[wildeyed]

13. good advice

I am the 'I just want to win, so shut up and work' variety of volunteer.

I do appreciate the things this guy has done. He and a friend do guerrilla registration where they just walk around with clipboards and register folks. I was surprised when he want to volunteer for my events. And dissapointed that it turned out that he is barking mad.

I am generally pretty thick skinned, but his attack really blindsided me. I am feeling bit better now.

Thanks to everyone for the good advice.

[Name removed]

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[yellerpup]

15. Arrrgh! indeed.

You've gotten some great advice already, more and better than I could contribute, but I'll give you an attagirl and major props for your hard work and dedication. One of my fellow volunteers (while registering voters) sneered at me for being too radical when I told him I was a fan of DU! You are doing the right thing and against the odds, too, with small children at home. You have earned the respect and gratitude of everyone who shares your goal. :hug: :kick: :yourock:

[wildeyed]

16. Thanks, that was a nice thing to say.

Hmmm, I don't think of DU as being all that radical. Certainly they are posters here who have views to the left, but hell, there are anti-* republicans who post here, too. Maybe it is just the general DU hubbub that puts the other volunteer off. Oh well, to each their own. :hi: