An old adage that is undoubtedly and unfortunately too true. It is all too common to see this in volunteer work for groups, associations and other types of organizations where we see a few people putting in often an incredible number of hours, without compensation, only to be criticized by those that sit on the sidelines and do little if anything to further the objective. Many forget that just because I would do something one way and you would go to another doesn’t mean that one of us is right and one of us is wrong but typically means that there is more than one way to accomplish the objective. when I was younger what happened in the world was either black or white. As I have gotten older, and hopefully acquired some experience, I find little is either black or white but that most is varying shades of gray.

What is also true is that more often than not the criticism comes for work done in an area that many do not want to be involved with. For instance, who hasn’t seen the volunteer that does the cleanup work at a church criticized for not doing the job perfectly or more timely? Another area where this will appear is when an organization requires a rewrite of certain founding and operating documents. One that can be particularly grating happened to me not all that long ago. Here we had someone, me, who was already putting in a substantial number of hours having another major task dropped in his lap without even being extended the courtesy of a discussion. By the way when this happened I terminated my association with the organization and this is not an unusual result when those on the sidelines forget even common courtesies.

Is there a solution?  Absent a change in human nature probably not! So what keeps those that do the volunteer work going? Often those that are doing the work commiserate with each other and shoulder on. Not perfect, but at least it keeps the wheels turning.