Good evening all! I co-founded our foster based rescue almost two years ago, and have been the President for almost year at this point. It has expanded to the point where running the rescue in addition to working full-time has become an impossibility to do well. We have a very small number of active volunteers, especially when it comes to planning, organization, and fundraising. We are putting together a plan to be able to allow me to become paid by the rescue based upon a percentage of funds raised monthly because I am not in a situation to go without any paycheck at all. We have already seen proven results from the times when I am able to put more time into dedicated fundraising and community outreach so we know it would be worth the investment. We want to make the transition the right way though!
Has anyone been through a transition like this and do you have any pointers or advice? We are a 501c3 registered in the State of Florida. Any recommendations for cheap or free advisement for setting up employment paperwork? How do we best handle telling the community that a small amount of the funds raised will be used to keep a staff member available on a full-time basis? (Not all will see it as a positive change, though it will mean faster turn around on adoptions, more community outreach, and more animals saved.) I have spoken with some that are able to do rescue full time as a volunteer due to being retired, living off government benefits, or very fortunate financially but I know that a large number of rescues MUST have at least one or more paid employees.
Thank you for any advice or help in the matter!
#employmentpractices#PeopleManagement