Shouldn't the authority figure giving the indirect order to volunteer be truthful and inform his subordinates that it isn't an option and that not participating in the "volunteer" activity will have consequences and name those consequences to the subordinates? Indirect mandatory volunteerism is in itself lying. Fight fire with fire.

No. This is very fundamental. Either you value truth or not.

The whole assumption in this article is that the boss is powerful and the employee is weak. I can think of no better way to demonstrate your weakness than by being scared to be truthful.

It's possible to be creative and tactful without lying, but ultimately, you either give up the day, b/c you value your job more than proving a point, but don't lie and compromise yourself in order to have your cake and eat it too. Then you're no better than a scammer who values money above all else.

Keep living your life with your head in the clouds and I'll keep living mine in reality.