Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi all! We're a shelter in Chicago looking to re-start our volunteer training process. With so many orientation classes cancelled in March and April, we have a back log of volunteers who are interested in coming in during this time. 

Has anyone developed a protocol for holding orientation classes virtually? What about in-person training? We typically have new volunteers shadow in an experienced volunteer in small groups, but we're thinking that won't be possible with social distancing protocols. 

Any and all ideas would be helpful!

We are just starting in person orientations again this week.  We normally hold 60 person groups once a month, but I'm going to offer 10 person orientations once a week for now while I  can.  I'm requiring them to bring and wear their own masks and we will be 6ft apart with the exception of the shelter tour, as there is no way to get around that in our facility.  I thought about doing virtual orientations, but I think seeing the shelter in person makes a huge difference.

Have you checked out Austin Pets Alive! online volunteer orientation process yet? They used it even before the pandemic and have a very successful volunteer program.. The initial steps and orientation are online, followed by some in-person tours. You may want to contact them to ask if you can view their online orientation for some ideas on how to start. Here's their volunteer requirements page with more info: https://www.austinpetsalive.org/volunteer/requirements 

Good luck!

Here are some more tips on hosting online volunteer and foster orientations and training from The Association of Animal Welfare Advancement blog: http://blog.theaawa.org/keeping-up-with-covid-19-3-17-take-foster-volunteer-training-online/