Volunteer Burnout or is Volunteer Bashout?

In the volunteer world we often contribute volunteers leaving a program to something we call volunteer burnout. But is it always the case that they have reached the burnout stage or have they reached another stage I refer to as volunteer bash out? Perhaps burnout is the politically correct terminology. Personally I have used the term volunteer bash out dating back to the late 70’s.

Over the years, in my personal career I have at the privilege of working with close to 600 different not for profit organizations across all sectors from health, social, education, sport, recreation etc. What I have interesting is that there appears to be a greater incidence of volunteer bash out in sport and recreation organizations than in others I have either been involved with or worked with.

In working with organizations in the area of board development I have used a model called “Cog’s Ladder: A Model of Group Growth”. I first came across it in 1976 and have used it ever since. In Cog’s model an organization will goes through

Polite Stage - An introductory phase, where members strive to get acquainted or reacquainted with one another.
Why We're Here Stage - Group members will want to know why they have been called together. Often, social cliques will begin to form as members begin to feel as though they "fit in."
Power Stage - Bids for power begin between group members in an effort to convince each other that their position on an issue is correct.
Cooperation Stage - Members not only begin to accept that others have an opinion worth expressing, but a team spirit replaces vested interests.
Esprit Stage - It is also noted that this stage will not always be achieved; however, for this level of cooperation, as well as productivity, the other four stages must be met.
The Power Stage or bid for power seems to be prevalent in sport and recreation organizations and in my opinion is the focal point for bash out. It is at this stage where any values an organization may have are put aside and personal agendas become prevalent.
Bash out is a result of the constant fighting, running into obstacles created by others, lack of recognition, other people always believing they can do a better job and on and on and on.
This bash out in sport and recreation occurs not only within the board of directors but all volunteers from event planners, coaches, and officials(yes they get paid, but not for abuse). These individuals leave the program and no one really asks why or if they do get an answer attribute it to someone just complaining.
Think about your own experiences and why you may have moved on.
As a board member was it due to someone saying they could do a better job? Is there a belief that you actually got paid? Did you get tired of the constant infighting?
As a coach did you leave because you got tired of people sitting behind you with a stop watch timing their child’s ice or field time, innings played in or people believing you are obviously doing it for personal gain?
None of these examples as anything to do with volunteer burnout, this is pure and simple bash out.
What is interesting is that there are various organizations that provide volunteer training and stress the importance of retaining and recognizing your volunteers. Yes many organizations participate in these programs but at the end of the day how many continue to practice they learn. Even organizations that practice volunteer bash out still recognize their volunteers although they change on a regular basis.
Personally I have at the opportunity to be involved with organizations that reached the Esprit Stage—Early years of Ringette Alberta, County of Stettler Regional Recreation Board, Edmonton International Baseball Foundation and Alberta Bobsleigh Association. It’s amazing how much can get done at this level.

To paraphrase Smoky the Bear: “Only You Can Prevent Volunteer Bash Out”.