I'm going to be straightforward and just put it out there that this post is a RANT. So if you don't want to hear it, skip this post. But just as a reference, I rarely let things get to me, let alone post somewhere publicly about them. I am IRATE about an irresponsible and careless person.
I COMPLETELY understand if you are working at a non-profit organization for a cause that you strongly believe in whether it's for the environment, for education, for human welfare...Whatever your cause. Actually, props to you. You deserve a pat on the back and plenty of love from your community for dedicating your time and energy to make a difference in the world. However, those of you who are just posing as someone who believes in a cause, please, please don't just do things you don't even believe in just so you can slap it on your med school application. Especially when you didn't do your job...Or when you can't do your job.
I have been in contact with a non-profit dental organization that provides dental care to children of low income households. Now I want to start off by saying, I know fully how this organization runs its volunteers and I hate the entropy of the whole organization. It drives me crazy. But I was willing to tough it out, because I believe that children, regardless of gender, race, class, whatever, should be eligible to receive proper dental care.
That being said, I contacted the intern coordinator in the beginning of December because I wanted to avoid that "holiday season" where work just seems to slow down and nothing gets done. I got a response right away from the intern coordinator and he said that there were spots open (which, I believe there always are). As much of an answer as I expected, I asked if he even wanted to meet with me because he just asked me when I wanted to start.
So I met with him at least a week and a half before Christmas and I find that he just happens to be applying to med school. I openly share my experiences with him and he seems more interested in finding out about my application process to dental school than actually selling the volunteer position to me or finding a reason to turn me away. I leave, noticing that not much has changed since the last time I volunteered at the organization and tell myself to suck it up.
Fast forward a few weeks, because at that meeting he told me to "Let me know when I wanted to come in", I e-mail him letting him know that I would like to come in on Tuesdays in the morning and give him specific times. No response for over a week. Fine, I give him a call. He tells me that there's actually more opportunities in the clinic and asks if I can volunteer Saturdays. Fine. Although I cleared out my mornings at work on Tuesdays because I had intended to volunteer, I was content with volunteering on Saturdays as well.
I ask him to confirm. No response for weeks. I give him a call on a Friday. "Oh, I'll give you a call later TODAY after talking to the clinic coordinator." Meanwhile, I keep having appointments on Saturdays -- work, seminars, Give Kids a Smile day. Saturdays are booking up fast.
I shoot him yet ANOTHER e-mail. At this point, it's already February. We're talking TWO MONTHS PEOPLE. I have not received ONE E-MAIL RESPONSE SINCE THE INITIAL RESPONSE. I would've seriously been content with a "ok" or "you can come" (totally disregarding any English grammar). I could care less as long as I got an answer. But this DUDE IS SERIOUSLY WHACK. While he seems all put together and proper when you see him, he does not have his $**T together.
After two months of this ridiculous lack of response, I put two and two together....Lack of response for dental non-profit + med school aspirations = decoration for med school app. What a show. I know that work at a non-profit is much harder than for profit and private companies, but people like you might be why these organizations stay disorganized and never develop into more well-known causes.
I am absolutely disgusted. However, this will not prevent me from volunteering there. I am just going to avoid this guy at all costs. And definitely letting this situation be known, not only because it is unfair to me, but also because it is unfair to the children and their families who will suffer the indirect consequences from lack of structure in volunteers.
