I guess everyone has found themselves in a job or other situation where it's misery. You know the job doesn't fit you, and you hang in hoping things will change. I've found myself there a couple times as well. Hang in there, hope it gets better, and continue to come to work every day miserable. I've even had jobs that were so stressful I'd get a headache or heartburn before going TO work. I promised myself I would not let things get to this point again yet I find myself there.
One of the professors I had this past semester advised us to self-evaluate on a regular basis. Look inward, see where we are, what we need to work on, and know when it's time to move on if we're working or volunteering. I hate to leave a project or job, but sometimes I think it's for the best. If you're miserable and hate it, it's time to go because it does no one any good.
Now for the how. I've read all those articles on how to leave gracefully. But since this is a volunteer position I'm wondering if maybe just leaving and not coming back wouldn't be the best way to proceed. I've tried voicing my concerns on several occasions to people higher up the food chain but they seem oblivious to any problems. I am not the only person to notice either. At least six others--maybe more--have seen the same thing and don't waste their time there anymore.
When to say when, when to stop buying tums and pepto bismol. Heh nothing in life is ever easy is it? 
Comments
Thanks, Conner. That's pretty well what I had decided to do. I've completed the work that was required of me because I'm not the kind of person to leave others in a lurch. I don't think there will be a change because upper crust refuses to see what's going on around them. You know it's time to abandon ship when the rats start doing the same.
Thanks for the response!
You're not the only one going through something like this. For the last year or so I've felt the same way about the help desk job I work. Management doesn't listen. They don't seem to care how their people feel about what they do. Several agents have quit recently, one of them openly in protest of the way things are going. They don't hire in new replacements often enough, and when they do they stick the same person ( me ) with training them - even though I've repeatedly told them I don't like doing it and would rather not be tasked with it.
So why have I stayed? More or less for the same reasons you listed. I keep hoping things will change. That somehow my being there will cause them to get better. So far it hasn't worked that way. There's also the fact that I really don't like job hunting and have never been any good with interviews where they ask you all those silly questions about yourself when you and the interviewer both know nobody cares. So I plod along, collecting my paychecks and holding out some slim hope that I'll finally get promoted. But after 5 years I don't think that's going to happen. I don't think they like me being so outspoken.
I should probably quit, I've already come close several times. Either way, jus know that you're not alone in this and that others do know what you're going through.
I hate to hear you're going through this as well, Samson. I don't think it matters really if it's a paid or volunteer position. The money does help rationalize the situation somewhat. Been there done that too. I've decided to give my situation till the end of the year. If it's not changing for the better (which I'm sure it won't) then I'm out the door.
It's kind of like raising kids. You give them limits and rules. If they don't obey or follow the rules and limits, you drop the hammer. There's only so much talking you can do. Sometimes it's just time to say "when". I think that time has come for me.