Animal Welfare Professionals

I am a volunteer at a municipal shelter with intake 10-15K yearly. Recently our volunteer coordinator (paid position) resigned having been on the job about a year. It is my understanding the previous lasted even less. Along with the understandable challenges we all are dealing with in animal welfare she sited feeling as though her job would best be done by two people. (Also an understandable challenge in animal welfare!)
Could anyone provide examples of a volunteer "tree" showing how the coordinator could structure a hierarchy of volunteers so she/he would not feel so overwhelmed by the position? It would be helpful for organizations of similar size. As I suspect with most shelters of this type the majority of the volunteers work with the dogs. Thank you!!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

------------------------------
susan murphy
------------------------------

Hi Susan,
Our organization leveled our volunteers (level 1, 2 and 3) with each tier providing various volunteer opportunities and training to master the various skills needed to feel confident in tasks that impact the shelter. The level 1 volunteers are typically new to the organization and animal welfare, so we offer various(dog walking, cat socialization, assisting with offsite events, data entry, etc) pathways to assist with finding what their strengths are. Our level 2 volunteers are typically those who have found their path and learning additional skills to continue providing support to the volunteer coordinator.  Our level 3 volunteers are utilized to assist with onboarding new volunteers with individual mentorships and that has helped offset the feeling of being overwhelmed with new volunteers coming in. The training that the level 3 volunteers undergo allows them to take the lead on several activities with minimal assistance needed, for example coordinating and overseeing our dog play groups, transports, being the lead representative at offsite events, answering emails. When I held the volunteer coordinator position at my current organization being able to rely on our long standing/ established volunteers with tasks that realistically 1 person could not manage with out feeling overwhelmed really helped alleviate the feeling.  And even in my current role I look to our level 3 volunteers to assist where staff is limited and assistance is critically needed, the level of trust in their training and knowledge has been critical in our operations. I hope this is helpful and I hope the organization you volunteer with is able to fill the position soon.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 05:17 AM
From: susan murphy
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

I am a volunteer at a municipal shelter with intake 10-15K yearly. Recently our volunteer coordinator (paid position) resigned having been on the job about a year. It is my understanding the previous lasted even less. Along with the understandable challenges we all are dealing with in animal welfare she sited feeling as though her job would best be done by two people. (Also an understandable challenge in animal welfare!)
Could anyone provide examples of a volunteer "tree" showing how the coordinator could structure a hierarchy of volunteers so she/he would not feel so overwhelmed by the position? It would be helpful for organizations of similar size. As I suspect with most shelters of this type the majority of the volunteers work with the dogs. Thank you!!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

------------------------------
susan murphy
------------------------------

Auriana,

I'd like to find out more about your volunteer levels.  We have a very small shelter, and no dedicated volunteer coordinator (one person does it part time on top of her other duties).  We need to expand our volunteer program without overwhelming staff.  We've been talking about the idea of a mentoring program.  Do you have a flow chart, or a description of each level, what the training/experience requirements are for each level, and what responsibilities each level can be assigned?  Anything you can share would be really appreciated.  Thanks!

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 04:18 PM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Susan,
Our organization leveled our volunteers (level 1, 2 and 3) with each tier providing various volunteer opportunities and training to master the various skills needed to feel confident in tasks that impact the shelter. The level 1 volunteers are typically new to the organization and animal welfare, so we offer various(dog walking, cat socialization, assisting with offsite events, data entry, etc) pathways to assist with finding what their strengths are. Our level 2 volunteers are typically those who have found their path and learning additional skills to continue providing support to the volunteer coordinator.  Our level 3 volunteers are utilized to assist with onboarding new volunteers with individual mentorships and that has helped offset the feeling of being overwhelmed with new volunteers coming in. The training that the level 3 volunteers undergo allows them to take the lead on several activities with minimal assistance needed, for example coordinating and overseeing our dog play groups, transports, being the lead representative at offsite events, answering emails. When I held the volunteer coordinator position at my current organization being able to rely on our long standing/ established volunteers with tasks that realistically 1 person could not manage with out feeling overwhelmed really helped alleviate the feeling.  And even in my current role I look to our level 3 volunteers to assist where staff is limited and assistance is critically needed, the level of trust in their training and knowledge has been critical in our operations. I hope this is helpful and I hope the organization you volunteer with is able to fill the position soon.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 05:17 AM
From: susan murphy
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

I am a volunteer at a municipal shelter with intake 10-15K yearly. Recently our volunteer coordinator (paid position) resigned having been on the job about a year. It is my understanding the previous lasted even less. Along with the understandable challenges we all are dealing with in animal welfare she sited feeling as though her job would best be done by two people. (Also an understandable challenge in animal welfare!)
Could anyone provide examples of a volunteer "tree" showing how the coordinator could structure a hierarchy of volunteers so she/he would not feel so overwhelmed by the position? It would be helpful for organizations of similar size. As I suspect with most shelters of this type the majority of the volunteers work with the dogs. Thank you!!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

------------------------------
susan murphy
------------------------------

Hi Tracy,
Sorry for the delayed response I have attached the outline for our volunteer leveling program. If you have any questions or any additional information feel free to let me know.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-05-2022 10:23 AM
From: Tracy Mohr
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Auriana,

I'd like to find out more about your volunteer levels.  We have a very small shelter, and no dedicated volunteer coordinator (one person does it part time on top of her other duties).  We need to expand our volunteer program without overwhelming staff.  We've been talking about the idea of a mentoring program.  Do you have a flow chart, or a description of each level, what the training/experience requirements are for each level, and what responsibilities each level can be assigned?  Anything you can share would be really appreciated.  Thanks!

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 04:18 PM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Susan,
Our organization leveled our volunteers (level 1, 2 and 3) with each tier providing various volunteer opportunities and training to master the various skills needed to feel confident in tasks that impact the shelter. The level 1 volunteers are typically new to the organization and animal welfare, so we offer various(dog walking, cat socialization, assisting with offsite events, data entry, etc) pathways to assist with finding what their strengths are. Our level 2 volunteers are typically those who have found their path and learning additional skills to continue providing support to the volunteer coordinator.  Our level 3 volunteers are utilized to assist with onboarding new volunteers with individual mentorships and that has helped offset the feeling of being overwhelmed with new volunteers coming in. The training that the level 3 volunteers undergo allows them to take the lead on several activities with minimal assistance needed, for example coordinating and overseeing our dog play groups, transports, being the lead representative at offsite events, answering emails. When I held the volunteer coordinator position at my current organization being able to rely on our long standing/ established volunteers with tasks that realistically 1 person could not manage with out feeling overwhelmed really helped alleviate the feeling.  And even in my current role I look to our level 3 volunteers to assist where staff is limited and assistance is critically needed, the level of trust in their training and knowledge has been critical in our operations. I hope this is helpful and I hope the organization you volunteer with is able to fill the position soon.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 05:17 AM
From: susan murphy
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

I am a volunteer at a municipal shelter with intake 10-15K yearly. Recently our volunteer coordinator (paid position) resigned having been on the job about a year. It is my understanding the previous lasted even less. Along with the understandable challenges we all are dealing with in animal welfare she sited feeling as though her job would best be done by two people. (Also an understandable challenge in animal welfare!)
Could anyone provide examples of a volunteer "tree" showing how the coordinator could structure a hierarchy of volunteers so she/he would not feel so overwhelmed by the position? It would be helpful for organizations of similar size. As I suspect with most shelters of this type the majority of the volunteers work with the dogs. Thank you!!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

------------------------------
susan murphy
------------------------------

Hi Auriana,

This is great, thanks!
In looking it over, this is similar to what we already do, only we have not put it down on paper in such a concise way.
I think having a written guideline will let volunteers know that there is a plan for advancement if they are interested in moving along the different levels.
I do have one questions, and that is what is the Content Training?

Thanks again for sharing this, it is a big help :-)

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2022 01:25 PM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Tracy,
Sorry for the delayed response I have attached the outline for our volunteer leveling program. If you have any questions or any additional information feel free to let me know.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-05-2022 10:23 AM
From: Tracy Mohr
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Auriana,

I'd like to find out more about your volunteer levels.  We have a very small shelter, and no dedicated volunteer coordinator (one person does it part time on top of her other duties).  We need to expand our volunteer program without overwhelming staff.  We've been talking about the idea of a mentoring program.  Do you have a flow chart, or a description of each level, what the training/experience requirements are for each level, and what responsibilities each level can be assigned?  Anything you can share would be really appreciated.  Thanks!

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 04:18 PM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Susan,
Our organization leveled our volunteers (level 1, 2 and 3) with each tier providing various volunteer opportunities and training to master the various skills needed to feel confident in tasks that impact the shelter. The level 1 volunteers are typically new to the organization and animal welfare, so we offer various(dog walking, cat socialization, assisting with offsite events, data entry, etc) pathways to assist with finding what their strengths are. Our level 2 volunteers are typically those who have found their path and learning additional skills to continue providing support to the volunteer coordinator.  Our level 3 volunteers are utilized to assist with onboarding new volunteers with individual mentorships and that has helped offset the feeling of being overwhelmed with new volunteers coming in. The training that the level 3 volunteers undergo allows them to take the lead on several activities with minimal assistance needed, for example coordinating and overseeing our dog play groups, transports, being the lead representative at offsite events, answering emails. When I held the volunteer coordinator position at my current organization being able to rely on our long standing/ established volunteers with tasks that realistically 1 person could not manage with out feeling overwhelmed really helped alleviate the feeling.  And even in my current role I look to our level 3 volunteers to assist where staff is limited and assistance is critically needed, the level of trust in their training and knowledge has been critical in our operations. I hope this is helpful and I hope the organization you volunteer with is able to fill the position soon.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 05:17 AM
From: susan murphy
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

I am a volunteer at a municipal shelter with intake 10-15K yearly. Recently our volunteer coordinator (paid position) resigned having been on the job about a year. It is my understanding the previous lasted even less. Along with the understandable challenges we all are dealing with in animal welfare she sited feeling as though her job would best be done by two people. (Also an understandable challenge in animal welfare!)
Could anyone provide examples of a volunteer "tree" showing how the coordinator could structure a hierarchy of volunteers so she/he would not feel so overwhelmed by the position? It would be helpful for organizations of similar size. As I suspect with most shelters of this type the majority of the volunteers work with the dogs. Thank you!!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

------------------------------
susan murphy
------------------------------

Hi Tracy,
The content training was developed to provide support to our marketing team in gathering content on our animals and various departments in real time to reach larger audiences and share with our communities how we can support them and how they can support their local animal shelters. It has also been useful in ensuring the content we are putting out doesn't continue to feed into the biases and negative perceptions that are attached to how animals come into our care, instead work to strengthen the pet-owner bond,  encourage more advocacy and strengthening the relationship with our communities.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2022 11:06 AM
From: Tracy Mohr
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Auriana,

This is great, thanks!
In looking it over, this is similar to what we already do, only we have not put it down on paper in such a concise way.
I think having a written guideline will let volunteers know that there is a plan for advancement if they are interested in moving along the different levels.
I do have one questions, and that is what is the Content Training?

Thanks again for sharing this, it is a big help :-)

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2022 01:25 PM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Tracy,
Sorry for the delayed response I have attached the outline for our volunteer leveling program. If you have any questions or any additional information feel free to let me know.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-05-2022 10:23 AM
From: Tracy Mohr
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Auriana,

I'd like to find out more about your volunteer levels.  We have a very small shelter, and no dedicated volunteer coordinator (one person does it part time on top of her other duties).  We need to expand our volunteer program without overwhelming staff.  We've been talking about the idea of a mentoring program.  Do you have a flow chart, or a description of each level, what the training/experience requirements are for each level, and what responsibilities each level can be assigned?  Anything you can share would be really appreciated.  Thanks!

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 04:18 PM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Susan,
Our organization leveled our volunteers (level 1, 2 and 3) with each tier providing various volunteer opportunities and training to master the various skills needed to feel confident in tasks that impact the shelter. The level 1 volunteers are typically new to the organization and animal welfare, so we offer various(dog walking, cat socialization, assisting with offsite events, data entry, etc) pathways to assist with finding what their strengths are. Our level 2 volunteers are typically those who have found their path and learning additional skills to continue providing support to the volunteer coordinator.  Our level 3 volunteers are utilized to assist with onboarding new volunteers with individual mentorships and that has helped offset the feeling of being overwhelmed with new volunteers coming in. The training that the level 3 volunteers undergo allows them to take the lead on several activities with minimal assistance needed, for example coordinating and overseeing our dog play groups, transports, being the lead representative at offsite events, answering emails. When I held the volunteer coordinator position at my current organization being able to rely on our long standing/ established volunteers with tasks that realistically 1 person could not manage with out feeling overwhelmed really helped alleviate the feeling.  And even in my current role I look to our level 3 volunteers to assist where staff is limited and assistance is critically needed, the level of trust in their training and knowledge has been critical in our operations. I hope this is helpful and I hope the organization you volunteer with is able to fill the position soon.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 05:17 AM
From: susan murphy
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

I am a volunteer at a municipal shelter with intake 10-15K yearly. Recently our volunteer coordinator (paid position) resigned having been on the job about a year. It is my understanding the previous lasted even less. Along with the understandable challenges we all are dealing with in animal welfare she sited feeling as though her job would best be done by two people. (Also an understandable challenge in animal welfare!)
Could anyone provide examples of a volunteer "tree" showing how the coordinator could structure a hierarchy of volunteers so she/he would not feel so overwhelmed by the position? It would be helpful for organizations of similar size. As I suspect with most shelters of this type the majority of the volunteers work with the dogs. Thank you!!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

------------------------------
susan murphy
------------------------------

Ah, that is a great idea.  Thanks for all your responses!

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-15-2022 09:59 AM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Tracy,
The content training was developed to provide support to our marketing team in gathering content on our animals and various departments in real time to reach larger audiences and share with our communities how we can support them and how they can support their local animal shelters. It has also been useful in ensuring the content we are putting out doesn't continue to feed into the biases and negative perceptions that are attached to how animals come into our care, instead work to strengthen the pet-owner bond,  encourage more advocacy and strengthening the relationship with our communities.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-12-2022 11:06 AM
From: Tracy Mohr
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Auriana,

This is great, thanks!
In looking it over, this is similar to what we already do, only we have not put it down on paper in such a concise way.
I think having a written guideline will let volunteers know that there is a plan for advancement if they are interested in moving along the different levels.
I do have one questions, and that is what is the Content Training?

Thanks again for sharing this, it is a big help :-)

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630

Original Message:
Sent: 04-09-2022 01:25 PM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Tracy,
Sorry for the delayed response I have attached the outline for our volunteer leveling program. If you have any questions or any additional information feel free to let me know.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-05-2022 10:23 AM
From: Tracy Mohr
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Auriana,

I'd like to find out more about your volunteer levels.  We have a very small shelter, and no dedicated volunteer coordinator (one person does it part time on top of her other duties).  We need to expand our volunteer program without overwhelming staff.  We've been talking about the idea of a mentoring program.  Do you have a flow chart, or a description of each level, what the training/experience requirements are for each level, and what responsibilities each level can be assigned?  Anything you can share would be really appreciated.  Thanks!

------------------------------
Tracy Mohr
Animal Services Manager
City of Chico Animal Services
5308945630

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 04:18 PM
From: Auriana Brown
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

Hi Susan,
Our organization leveled our volunteers (level 1, 2 and 3) with each tier providing various volunteer opportunities and training to master the various skills needed to feel confident in tasks that impact the shelter. The level 1 volunteers are typically new to the organization and animal welfare, so we offer various(dog walking, cat socialization, assisting with offsite events, data entry, etc) pathways to assist with finding what their strengths are. Our level 2 volunteers are typically those who have found their path and learning additional skills to continue providing support to the volunteer coordinator.  Our level 3 volunteers are utilized to assist with onboarding new volunteers with individual mentorships and that has helped offset the feeling of being overwhelmed with new volunteers coming in. The training that the level 3 volunteers undergo allows them to take the lead on several activities with minimal assistance needed, for example coordinating and overseeing our dog play groups, transports, being the lead representative at offsite events, answering emails. When I held the volunteer coordinator position at my current organization being able to rely on our long standing/ established volunteers with tasks that realistically 1 person could not manage with out feeling overwhelmed really helped alleviate the feeling.  And even in my current role I look to our level 3 volunteers to assist where staff is limited and assistance is critically needed, the level of trust in their training and knowledge has been critical in our operations. I hope this is helpful and I hope the organization you volunteer with is able to fill the position soon.

------------------------------
Auriana Brown
Placement Manager
LifeLine Animal Project
Atlanta, GA
404-490-1427

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and
Pet Support Services Specialist

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 05:17 AM
From: susan murphy
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

I am a volunteer at a municipal shelter with intake 10-15K yearly. Recently our volunteer coordinator (paid position) resigned having been on the job about a year. It is my understanding the previous lasted even less. Along with the understandable challenges we all are dealing with in animal welfare she sited feeling as though her job would best be done by two people. (Also an understandable challenge in animal welfare!)
Could anyone provide examples of a volunteer "tree" showing how the coordinator could structure a hierarchy of volunteers so she/he would not feel so overwhelmed by the position? It would be helpful for organizations of similar size. As I suspect with most shelters of this type the majority of the volunteers work with the dogs. Thank you!!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

------------------------------
susan murphy
------------------------------

Hey Susan! Our shelter will take in approximately 9K animals this year and our volunteers recorded around 15K hours last year. Prior to Covid we reached over 20K service hours annually. I've attached a screenshot of our Org Chart for volunteers and it shows that they each report to the department they're assigned. I think this may help with your next Coordinator. Oftentimes we get in a silo where we have the volunteers report to the coordinator. This can lead to heavy workload and stretches the coordinator thin. With the department supervisors each being responsible for training, coaching, and overseeing their respective volunteers, it allows the coordinator to manage things such as data, recruiting, and retention practices. We've also found that this really gets staff buy-in to our volunteers as they're now personally invested in their success. I hope that helps!

------------------------------
Sarah Sukhram
Vol. & Foster Coordinator
Pasco County Animal Services
Land O' Lakes, FL
https://www.pascocountyfl.net/408/Animal-Services
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-03-2022 05:17 AM
From: susan murphy
Subject: Volunteer coordinator position with high turnover

I am a volunteer at a municipal shelter with intake 10-15K yearly. Recently our volunteer coordinator (paid position) resigned having been on the job about a year. It is my understanding the previous lasted even less. Along with the understandable challenges we all are dealing with in animal welfare she sited feeling as though her job would best be done by two people. (Also an understandable challenge in animal welfare!)
Could anyone provide examples of a volunteer "tree" showing how the coordinator could structure a hierarchy of volunteers so she/he would not feel so overwhelmed by the position? It would be helpful for organizations of similar size. As I suspect with most shelters of this type the majority of the volunteers work with the dogs. Thank you!!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)

------------------------------
susan murphy
------------------------------