Who I am!

[Cheryl R. Walls]

I have only been a Volunteer Manager for eight months. I come from a hospice nursing background. I have days when I could talk to the world and days when I could care less if the world is turning! My patients and my volunteers mean the world to me. I would do anything for my volunteers and I truly enjoy every minute I get to spend with them. I have only had one instance thus far where I had to ask a volunteer to quit, and she did so. Now when she sees me she almost hurts herself turning the other way to avoid me completely. This is painful, as I would never wish anyone to dislike me. But those are the ropes!!!! I appreciate being able to have a site like this where I can tell what I feel and not be worried about someone overhearing me or taking it the wrong way. There is only so much my family can listen to from me and TRULY understand, even if they say they do understand!!!! God is not my co-pilot, he is my PILOT and I do nothing without Him being first in my life. I cannot imagine doing the job I do and not having him to guide me spiritually. I pray for my patients daily and try my best not to pray for patience! This is the most rewarding job I have ever had and I thoroughly enjoy every day I get up and come to work! How many people today get to say that about their jobs.!!!!! I am blessed!!!!!

[Cheryl R. Walls]

Thanks, Sue. I have had to do alot of soul searching on this subject. It is very difficult to encourage this in our volunteers if I don't practice this myself. I think that's why God gave me a second chance at hospice after a six month break. I am truly blessed and have encouraged boundaries in my current position. But encouragement from my peers never hurts!

[Sue Fink]

Hang in there, Cheryl. You need to read up a bit on keeping emotional boundaries between you and volunteers or clients/families to prevent you from burning out. It is a balancing act--our compassion for others has probably attracted us to this job, but if we get too emotionally involved we can not have the objectiveness we need to manage others as well as our selves. I do it only by God's grace--prayers for all of the above. Blessings to you.
SUE

[Cheryl R. Walls]

Greg,
Thank you so much! I have an awesome Director who stands beside me on these types of decisions. And I agree, her parting attitude does show exactly how un-ready she was (if that is a word). But to be validated in what I do and how I go about it means the world to me. Thank you for this site! I just finished attending a Volunteer Coordinator Symposium for Georgia Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and their motto for the week was "First, do no Harm!" I feel that is my motivating factor in all I do and when harm came to a patient by the actions of the volunteer, emotional harm, not physical, then it was time to act. But to have someone back me up in that dismissal means the world to me. This job gets harder as I learn more, what job doesn't, but I value being able to "vent" and get insight from others in my situation! Thanks again, this is Fabulous!

[Greg Schneider]

Hi Cheryl,

I empathize with you...it saddens me when I feel that others are angry with me when I have had to make a decision or take an action that they disagree with. As a volunteer coordinator your first priority is the patient and their family. Sometimes volunteers come forward to serve but they are either not completely ready or just do not have the compassionate temperament to be with the dying and their families.

Being a volunteer requires the individual to have an ability to forgive. If a grudge is perpetuated after you have explained to them why they should not be serving at this time, then that is another indicator that you did the right thing.

Trust your judgment and know that those your organization serves are getting the best care your volunteers can provide.

Keep up the good work!!

Greg