Hey Jennifer!
I run Volunteers & Events at my shelter, and we do allow CSR volunteers on site. I inherited the volunteer program about 2 years ago and was very hesitant to make changes to it but I feel comfortable enough now that I plan on completely leveling the program and rebuilding it from the ground up early in 2025. With that said one of the tasks I've taken on recently is having more structure to our CSR program. We added guidelines and put them in our volunteer SOP. Essentially it's case by case, when someone reaches out they must provide me with their court ordered paperwork and birthdate; I send that info to our PD and they tell me "minor traffic violations" or more recently "aggravated assault against a public servant"..... As a general rule we do not take any offenses involving sexual assault, violence, theft, drug use (other than marijuana), all the biggies. So we mainly do truancy, traffic violations, stuff like that. I also have a welcome email I now send them when they are "onboarded" that lays out the expectations on our end and let them know if they do not follow these expectations, they will be cut as a CSR. I have no problem kicking someone out of the program who thinks this is an "easy out" for their hours. NAHHHHHH you're going to work and work hard when you're here to pay back your debt. I also don't allow cell phone usage as the younger kids will sit on their phones the entire shift vs fold laundry. Next step is making an actual contract/agreement for them to sign after they onboarded. I allow CSR hours to be completed 7 days a week; but ALL shifts begin at 830am. You aren't rolling in at noon after sleeping in and taking your time. You will be here when staff gets here or you aren't doing hours that day. I don't care if they choose to do 2 hours or 8hrs a shift, I let them decide that they have to be here at 830am. I also add everyone to our internal calendar so my kennel staff know who to expect, when and for how long. I allow them to decide where the CSRs will best fit help wise for their day with the hours they will be here, etc.
I don't actively recruit CSRs but our local courthouse literally has us down as a place to report to, but I don't allow anyone to start hours until PD has cleared them and then we go from there. I've had to ask several not to return due to not wanting to actually do anything. Their court aide (?) not sure exactly who she is, reaches out and when I let her know why they were let go, it's never been an issue for us.
I'm not going to lie it can be a HUGE headache some days... like earlier this week. A woman is past her due date to complete her hours. She has never reached out but called Monday while I was off then came up to the shelter Tuesday (also when I'm off) and caused a scene in the lobby that shes been trying to get a hold of me. Mind you... first contact was the day before. Then sent an email from the lobby to the front desk.. not even the volunteer email which is listed on her court paperwork along with my direct phone line... saying "3rd attempt at trying to get ahold of you". Like NO MA'M. you are NOT going to sit there and try to make ME look bad and like I'm not doing my job. Court aide contacted me Wednesday wanting to know what was going on with said woman and I let her know all of the listed above info and she was like yeahhhh no. She couldn't even tell me times/dates of trying to contact you, she's already past due, we aren't extending her hours to complete CSR she now has to pay her fine.
Sorry for the novel .. but in all fairness, most of our CSRs have been either great or at least good while here. Several have choosen to stay on as volunteers, become fosters or part of our transport team.
This is their onboarding email:
Hello,
You've been cleared to do your CS hours here at Grand Prairie Animal Services under the Grand Prairie Police Department. We offer community service 7 days a week. ALL shifts begin at 830am. They can be as long as you'd like within our workday schedule. You can begin as soon as tomorrow. You will be allowed into the building when you are scheduled on the calendar. You will be handling animals, cleaning kennels, as well as doing laundry and dishes when there is down time. If you are unable to do these things or stay on task while you are here, your CS internship will be ended.
Dress code: please wear pants/jeans, closed toe shoes/nonslip shoes, and generally clothing you don't mind getting dirty.
As a notice : If you are late to your shift, you will not be accepted that day to complete your shift.
Also we do not allow phone usage while you are completing hours. If you have an emergency, please notify your shift lead.
Please let me know what days you would like to come in and how long you would like each shift to be. I will ensure they are added to the calendar for a smooth transition.
When you arrive for your first shift, you will call the Senior Animal Care Technicians work cell since the doors will be locked when you arrive. Let them know your outside and here for community service. They will let you in and get you started. I will provide you with the phone number once we have scheduled your first shift.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Thank you,
GPAS Programs Team
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Angellee Vincent
Volunteer & Events Coordinator
Grand Prairie Animal Services
Grand Prairie, TX
www.gptx.org/paws------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2024 12:15 PM
From: jennifer hatcher
Subject: Court-Ordered Community Service Volunteerism
Hi everyone! Our shelter has always had a court-ordered community service (COCS) program, but we seem to be having more issues with the volunteers in the program as of late. Can you please let us know if you welcome this type of volunteerism at your shelter, and the guidelines/protocols for the program? Links or documents would be greatly appreciated as we audit our program!
#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)
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jennifer hatcher
Director of Development
Humane Society for Hamilton County
Fishers IN
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