Volunteering should not be transactional

If T-shirts, meals and other forms of collateral are expected in return for volunteering, the experience becomes transactional and open to abuse.

If an event lacks sufficient manpower, the organiser should then budget more for manpower the next time. If the turnout is a dismal, then the organiser knows there is a lack of interest or good publicity. Be honest rather than throw money or compel the unwilling to “volunteer”. Sim Wei Liang

This letter first appeared as a comment on TODAYonline.