I wish there was more team-building at my shelter. I’ve been volunteering there for just over a year and I still don’t know half the staff or what most people’s jobs are. I’d like to see more collaboration between staff and volunteers. I try to instigate conversation and ask questions but most of the time everyone is just too busy.
Agree! I'd love to understand the boundaries of people's job roles--what DO and DON'T they do? I've heard of some shelters that do a monthly roundtable meeting of volunteers, staff, and whoever else wants to show up, and the shelter manager will conduct an "ask me anything" session. I think that would do wonders for staff/volunteer collaboration--not to mention morale.
YES! I love that idea. It's hard to keep morale up with so many deaths and near-deaths. There was one in-person vol meeting with Jake when I first started and that was it. I'm going to ask him about voluntary inclusive meetings. Maybe quarterly? I can't imagine herding these cats together monthly :-)
I would love to hear more creative ideas about stemming the flow of animals into the shelter that isn't limited to beating the drum of spay/neuter. Yes, spay/neuter is very important but it can't be the only topic or the loudest banner.
Thank you Jill for this great article. I would love to see municipalities set aside budget and staff for innovation and prevention of animals entering shelters. There are many, many volunteers, rescue/welfare organizations who would lend FREE helping hands to this. It would take much cooperation and red-tape-cutting on the municipality side, but it could be accomplished with prioritization and persistance.
Good one, Martha. See my comment to Joselle. A "coalition of the willing" would go a long way in stemming intakes and--to your point--cement priorities.
I wish there was more team-building at my shelter. I’ve been volunteering there for just over a year and I still don’t know half the staff or what most people’s jobs are. I’d like to see more collaboration between staff and volunteers. I try to instigate conversation and ask questions but most of the time everyone is just too busy.
Agree! I'd love to understand the boundaries of people's job roles--what DO and DON'T they do? I've heard of some shelters that do a monthly roundtable meeting of volunteers, staff, and whoever else wants to show up, and the shelter manager will conduct an "ask me anything" session. I think that would do wonders for staff/volunteer collaboration--not to mention morale.
YES! I love that idea. It's hard to keep morale up with so many deaths and near-deaths. There was one in-person vol meeting with Jake when I first started and that was it. I'm going to ask him about voluntary inclusive meetings. Maybe quarterly? I can't imagine herding these cats together monthly :-)
Another great, thought provoking blog! So well articulated in such a concise way. Thank you!
I would love to hear more creative ideas about stemming the flow of animals into the shelter that isn't limited to beating the drum of spay/neuter. Yes, spay/neuter is very important but it can't be the only topic or the loudest banner.
Especially when they could be doing so much more to enforce spay/neuter laws!
always on point, thanks Jill
Thank you Jill for this great article. I would love to see municipalities set aside budget and staff for innovation and prevention of animals entering shelters. There are many, many volunteers, rescue/welfare organizations who would lend FREE helping hands to this. It would take much cooperation and red-tape-cutting on the municipality side, but it could be accomplished with prioritization and persistance.
Good one, Martha. See my comment to Joselle. A "coalition of the willing" would go a long way in stemming intakes and--to your point--cement priorities.