On Involuntary Volunteering

Volunteering is something with which many are familiar. To offer oneself for some service or undertaking is common, although the motives may differ from person to person. Some may volunteer merely for charity, while others may volunteer to work through the ranks and obtain a desirable position.
Whatever the reasons may be, one thing is certain. Volunteering should involve offering oneself rather than someone else. As obvious as this may seem, some people have an entirely different concept. There have been far too many occasions in my life whereby another party has "volunteered" me for some task or other. Aside from the fact that offering someone else's services without consent is improper, it is also extremely incourteous to the "volunteered" party and I consider it an outrage.
In the past, my time has been offered to others for tutoring, to show foreigners around, to hang out with those who have no acquaintances in the area, and to meet up with people at some event I happened to be attending. All of these offers have taken place without my consent. It is time for someone to speak out and say "Enough is enough!" No one should have the right to take the time away from someone else.
In this matter, I am understanding. I know why someone would "volunteer" someone else. The reason is simple: he or she wants to be nice and help out. But there is a problem. By extending kindness to one individual, these people are being unkind to someone else. There is a solution, however. If these volunteer mongers would simply call the person that would be of help, these situations could be avoided.
So if you are one of these people that loves to volunteer others, STOP IT! Simply call that person (in private, without the one in need of help in the vicinity). Then ask if the person is willing before mentioning any of this to the one in need of help. One of the questions I hate is "Mr. X needs help in this, and I told him you would help. Is that okay?" At this point it is already too late, and the question is rather rhetorical. So the next time someone needs a volunteer, either volunteer yourself or don't volunteer at all.