Leaked emails reveal National Trust SA's dispute with volunteers over 'service fee'
Then-chief executive Simon Ambrose contacted the state's 45 volunteer-run branches in April, advising the organisation would invoice them for 10 per cent of their gross annual revenue.
According to Mr Ambrose's email, the annual fee would "address the increasing demands of our operating environment", including auditing and tax compliance.
However, an email obtained by the ABC between Kingston SE branch chair Alison Stilwell and her counterparts from other branches indicated a pushback from the volunteer base.
On July 7, Ms Stilwell wrote that a meeting with the NTSA Council — its board of directors — "did not offer any change to the service fee arrangement".
"I am disappointed and have expressed that to the president, vice-president and interim CEO," Ms Stilwell wrote.
"I've spoken at length with [President] Millie Nicholls, and she is going to ring or visit branches to explain and discuss."
Ms Stilwell, also a council member, is understood to be mediating between management and volunteers.
She said she received feedback about the plan from 31 branches.
It is not suggested all feedback was negative, but Ms Stilwell said it indicated there was "a lot of work to be done" and she was "continuing to push for a better outcome".
"My feeling is that despite things not being as we'd have hoped now, there will be changes not far away," she concluded.
Ms Stilwell referred questions to the NTSA head office.
The National Trust maintains more than 100 heritage-listed properties across the state, including landmarks such as Ayers House, Stangate House and Z Ward Glenside.
It is currently attempting to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the Cornish mining sites in Moonta and Burra, and has campaigned to keep Mintaro's Martindale Hall in public ownership.
In a statement, NTSA president Millie Nicholls said the service fee was "part of an internal effort to ensure the ongoing success of the trust by supporting essential functions such as consolidated auditing, insurance, and financial compliance".
"While the fee has been issued, we are continuing open discussions with branches to address concerns and clarify the benefits of centralised support," Ms Nicholls said.
"Feedback is being incorporated and further engagement is planned over the next few months."
The ABC also became aware that the trust this year sold an empty parcel of land in Moonta and was in discussions about the future of the 19th-century National Australia Bank building in Burra.
In response, Ms Nicholls said the charity was aiming to "strengthen its financial sustainability" by "reviewing under-utilised assets", as well as seeking income through events, accommodation and donations.
The ABC spoke with volunteers from 10 National Trust branches, none of whom wished to be identified.
Branches said their biggest costs were insurance, utilities bills and general maintenance, and the service fee invoices ranged between several hundred dollars and five digits.
None reported any preliminary consultation, but Ms Nicholls said branch meet-ups and communications occurred several months prior.
One volunteer said they believed the need for a new charge was not properly communicated.
"We were willing to acknowledge that they might have to operate differently, but they haven't explained how they calculated this figure," they said.
"That means that we can't explain it to our members … so that level of accountability is missing."
Ms Nicholls said the overall amount was "tied to the workload for managing each branch's operations".
Several volunteers said they were holding off on paying in anticipation of a compromise.
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