MY LETTER OF RESIGNATION TO PLEASANCE [updated with response]
This morning I decided, after a process of reflection, to resign from my volunteer position with Pleasance Theatre.
This is the actual letter I submitted.
[See below for the response from the organization's management.]
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To the Management of Pleasance Theatre,
I write this letter to inform you that I shall not be returning to my volunteer position with Pleasance Theatre. This decision has come after a process of reflection, and the acknowledgement of my dissatisfaction with my volunteer experience.
This past Wednesday, I submitted a request for a half-day of absence for personal reasons. I felt that it was a not an excessive wish, to take an absence of ten-hours over the course of five weeks. Yesterday afternoon, however, the general manager of Pleasance informed me that I would not be permitted a personal half-day off from my volunteer role.
In my state of general fatigue, this news extinguished my already weak levels of morale.
I understand that, ideally, there is continuity in each of our positions, thus rigid expectations of volunteer roles have been created. But I also believe that it doesn’t have to be this way. As we progress through the 2t1st century, an autocratic approach of management will simply not be tolerated from people in general. As an organization, Pleasance Theatre is simply going to have to do better.
How can volunteers be motivated to give their time and energy in a system that does not acknowledge such minor requests?
I urge Pleasance Theatre to do some organizational soul searching, and to reevaluate the expectations that they place on volunteers. Perhaps a movement towards more of a ‘pod’ type of organizational structure, with small teams to tackle various tasks, would enable people to take the time they need to be motivated to continue working. Better systems of human management exist.
Ultimately I feel like I’ve been greeted with inflexibility. My response to rigidity is to remove myself from the system. And as long as the Pleasance choses to have this level of inflexibility, you will have defectors like myself.
With my departure, I send my gratitude to Kim and Paul [Press Office managers], for they have gone above and beyond their duties to ensure that the Press Office is functioning despite a multitude of challenges. And to the other volunteers in the Press Office, I send my regrets. Your humor and lovely dispositions were the motivating factors for me to present myself each day. I encourage all of you to maintain a boundary of what you can or cannot personally give. You choose whether or not to perpetuate the demands.
This doesn’t have to be a death race.
I am stepping away from my volunteer position simply because I do not wish to support this system any longer.
Sincerely,
Daniel Baylis
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On Tuesday, August 23, I received this letter in response.
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for your letter informing us of your decision to leave your post within the Pleasance press office.
Although we are sad to see you go, from reading your blogs it is clear that this was the right decision for you to make. Your plans for visiting Scotland and working with Pleasance do not and would not have ever really fitted well together. You want to combine both seeing Scotland and the fringe at large, however as our website suggests, this is not possible when working for Pleasance. You gain great insight into the runnings of a major festival organisation but this unfortunately doesn’t afford much spare time.
The volunteer opportunity we offer people is an all round intensive position, which does expect a great deal of commitment from people hoping to gain experience within a busy but rewarding festival fringe venue. We are fully aware of the demands each position entails but hope that this is made clear in our application pack that the month is exhaustingly hard work but matched with excellent rewards. Whilst Pleasance is a large organisation during the festival period, it is nonetheless a charity that relies heavily on people with a great passion for the arts who are more than willing to work a long day for little financial reward and limited time off. The subsistence may be basic but is sufficient, the idea being that it doesn’t cost you anything for the experience.
What we often find people communicate back to us after the month is that they have thoroughly enjoyed what is ostensibly a very challenging post but ultimately rewarding. A great many people who have volunteered with the Pleasance have gone on to secure excellent positions within the Arts industry – many crediting Pleasance as having played a major role in this, whether this be down to work experience, networking opportunities or simply learning to cope with working long hours. It is hard work, but recognised and acknowledged hard work and we really do value the people willing to spend a summer with us.
We’re sorry this has not worked out for you and that you feel so strongly against the way in which we practice our volunteer scheme. We wish that you had come and spoken to us previous to publishing your discontentment on the internet. We are always looking to improve the way in which we work and do take all feedback very seriously, however in this instance it feels a little like Pleasance was a bad fit for your situation, as opposed to the scheme not working overall. The fact that many of our volunteers return year after year, despite long days, hard work and the occasional spot of rain (!) is a testament to this and we feel that morale is as high this year as it has been in previous years.
As you have decided to leave us, we will need you to return your accommodation keys and pass to the Courtyard reception by tomorrow evening.
With very best wishes,
Anthony, Gemma and Pleasance
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Well done ! You deserve more consideration my dear Daniel ! I’m always very surprised by such antediluvian ways of managing human resources in 2011…
Looking forward to hear about your next step !
Cyrille xx
I too have experienced poor HR abilities re volunteers , mine in a start up charity organisation. Move on.
Very well-written. Thoughtful, heartfelt, constructive. I hope they reflect on your observations and consider better options.
Classy letter Dan…..I know that you do not make these kinds of decisions lightly so I have great appreciation for the thought that went into it. I am happy that you made the decision and that you are now free to see/experience a bit more of Scotland…..and I am envious – wish I were there!
Oh, and by the way, if you see Nessi, say hello for me
So well written and impressive. You managed to state what so many of us feel daily, but are unable to express in an assertive manner. You are a catalyst of change! Thank you!
Hmmm I hate it when organizations and businesses abuse volunteers. Well now, time to have some fun and find out where the haggis hangs out. Or something…
Yee Har Daniel!
Your videos make it look like you were working so hard.
I know what it’s like when you tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen, but I just pour myself a cup of ambition Yawnin’ and stretchin’ I try to come to life.
It must be hard when you’re not workin’ 9 to 5, What a way to make a livin’
Barely gettin’ by It’s all takin and no givin’
The Pleasance They just use your mind and they never give you credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it, but you didn’t.
Enjoy your freedom in Edinburgh, see you at my next gig.
Dolly xxxxxxxxx
Holy Dyna! Is that a real response from the real Dolly? Really? I’m speechless.
Good for you, and very well said. Check one for humanity.
well done darling. pleasance sounds a little defensive (i.e. comment about coming to talk to us before putting things on your blog) and trying to keep a positive image. maybe everybody gives positive feedback but it is not honest feedback because they want a job in the future and want a good reference.
anyway, good for you and enjoy the rest of your stay in scotland and maybe try to find nessie ( i really do believe she exists).
xo