There are plenty of other places you can serve…CTCA is a good place for standard common cancers but trust me, there are more inspiring places. Visit your local hospice center, you really want to serve, go there.
Recently, I have been fortunate to be able to volunteer at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Newnan Georgia. It is one of the most amazing places I have ever worked; it gives hope to thousands of people each year.
Yesterday I went into the adminstrative offices to give the director Mrs. Meisner a signed copy of this book I wrote, the Tour de Life. I wanted to thank her for giving me such an amazing opportunity to volunteer at such a wonderful place.
I have been fortunate to meet with some of the most amazing patients being able to share my story about overcoming the possible and also giving them a copy of my book in hopes to inspire them to get through this hard time in their lives.
Sadly enough, I was notified yesterday that I was terminated from the hospital for coming into your her office to introduce myself. They never told us volunteers that it was “inappropriate” for volunteers to go into the administrative offices.
It breaks my heart to get kicked out of the center. It is my God given gift to share my story to give back hope to people that need it. Does anyone on Slowtwitch have the ability to help me get back in? I truly value my time working with the patients and families there.
If so, please email me at saul@raisinhope.org
Thank you!!!
Strange story. If your intent is to be a volunteer to help others it would seem that there are many opportunities available to you other than CTCA.
Dave
Saul Raisin
I am also a certified volunteer for Veterans Affairs; I really enjoy working at the cancer treatment center of America and I’m just hoping to get back in. I know God will lead me into the direction he wants me to be; thank you so much for the suggestion!
Recently, I have been fortunate to be able to volunteer at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Newnan Georgia. It is one of the most amazing places I have ever worked; it gives hope to thousands of people each year.
Yesterday I went into the adminstrative offices to give the director Mrs. Meisner a signed copy of this book I wrote, the Tour de Life. I wanted to thank her for giving me such an amazing opportunity to volunteer at such a wonderful place.
I have been fortunate to meet with some of the most amazing patients being able to share my story about overcoming the possible and also giving them a copy of my book in hopes to inspire them to get through this hard time in their lives.
Sadly enough, I was notified yesterday that I was terminated from the hospital for coming into your her office to introduce myself. They never told us volunteers that it was “inappropriate” for volunteers to go into the administrative offices.
It breaks my heart to get kicked out of the center. It is my God given gift to share my story to give back hope to people that need it. Does anyone on Slowtwitch have the ability to help me get back in? I truly value my time working with the patients and families there.
If so, please email me at saul@raisinhope.org
Thank you!!!
Saul Raisin
None of this makes sense. Why would it be inappropriate to introduce yourself to another human being? How does one “fire” someone they don’t pay?
Going out on a limb here… perhaps by your going and giving her your book, they were made aware that you put a little too much religion in your volunteering and that did not sit well with them. Inspiring hope is one thing, preaching is another.
My book has no religion mentioned in it. One of my biggest pet peeves is pushing religion on others; I would never do such a thing. I am completely lost on the reason they dismissed me from the center.
Not to mention that they treat me like a criminal. I was told that if step foot on the facility they will arrest me. It is seriously messed up!!!
Saul,
You can only find out what the issue was from them … it would seem that they had a significant issue. Listening to OTHERS stories is helpful … maybe they feel too much emphasis on YOUR story was a problem. Only they can tell you.
Dave
Thank you very much for your suggestions; I will try to find out what the root of the problem is.
As others have mentioned, I’m sure you can find better places to volunteer than a for-profit health care outfit
http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2013/03/07/the-cancer-treatment-centers-of-america-cherry-picked/
And if they are for-profit … how can they get away with not paying the ‘volunteers’?
They are a for-profit hospital and they do not pay volunteers. They do give volunteers Free meals but that’s it.
This sounds a bit fishy. Are you sure they didn’t terminate you as a volunteer because you didn’t promote them enough? I’ve heard of coaches doing that, but maybe the expectation has spread into the medical field as well.
I am positive, they told me that I was inappropriate for going into the adminstrative offices to introduce myself to the director.
I am positive, they told me that I was inappropriate for going into the adminstrative offices to introduce myself to the director.
(that was a joke, BTW)
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That’s weird. Is the don’t-talk-to-upper-managment rule explicit, or was it applied arbitrarily to your specific situation?
Did Mrs. Meisner give you any indication she though it was inappropriate at the time? Do you think she was personally the impetus behind your firing, or was it someone underneath her?
The only thing that makes sense to me is maybe they’ve had problems in the past with volunteers/interns appealing directly to upper management to get paying jobs or personal referrals, and they though that maybe this was your motive, rather than merely expressing genuine appreciation.
I have no ability to help you…just wondering.
What was the exchange like with Director Meisner? Was it a 20 minute conversation and she was into you, or was it a brief, thank you, I am busy, please leave since I don’t know or care who you are and you just showed up in my office with a book?
I have had to “fire” volunteers for a variety of reasons. Body odor, stealing food, watching TV on a phone while volunteering, putting cold cuts in elite athlete good bags to be delivered 1 days later and not refrigerate them!
I also don’t like to have volunteers “sell” me things or promote there services - it creates some weird tension when they come back in again after their sales pitch.
I would ask Mrs Meisner the whys and see what you can do to repair the relationship and if this is a place you want to support with your time, it will be worth it. There are plenty of other non-profits that can use your help. What were you doing for them anyway?
This is really weird. Is this the entire story? You know the deal - 3 versions of every story - yours, mine and the truth.
Saul - you seem like a stable guy.It would be interesting to see what odd work rules they have. I’m in the Fortune 100 - going to the executive floor is not “forbidden” but unless you have a reason to be there it is like playing with fire.
I think you hit it on the head. I have always been a very approachable person. Even while racing bicycles professionally, I never had a big ego; anyone could approach me. I have never been an organization where there was a hierarchy, and it is considered “inappropriate” to approach management. O’ well, you live you learn. Ce la vie…
I am up for hire, let me know if any of you guys want a kick @$$ (clean) ex professional cyclist as you cycling coach.
Children’s hospitals. . . .They always need volunteers and making a sick kid feel a bit brighter always puts one’s life into perspective.
CTCA is not worthy of volunteering for based on some stories I have heard and this one just adds on to the litany of ills associated with it.
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I think this is the wrong forum?
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I suspect there is more to the story than listed. If you can’t figure it out, do you have a trusted friend who can go with you and translate? Maybe you aren’t good at reading social queues?