Animal Welfare Professionals

Our shelter staff routinely have issues with our Board or Directors, and we are at a loss on how to navigate this and bring in leaders who care to help and better our shelter. 

TLDR: Does your organization struggle with Board-staff relations, too? How have you been able to influence change from outside the Board and create more engagement? Is there a way to get Board members replaced if all voting rights have been reduced to Board members?

Brief overview: Our Board refuses to have more than five members, staff can sit in on meetings but are not allowed on the Board, by-laws were changed two years ago to take away more power from staff and secure Board Terms of three years. The three members who have been in their positions for 5-10 years are resistant to change, and the board meetings have loose agendas where no goals are established, outlined, or completed. The one fundraising event that one member puts together every year spends an unnecessary amount of money for a low ROI, and sometimes they don't take meeting notes, like in December 2023 when they had their end of year dinner together at the most expensive restaurant in our town using shelter funds. Our previous shelter manager left over two years ago, and the board has yet to hire a new shelter manager because of wages, and so the responsibilities have fallen onto the four full time staff who run the adoption programs, social media, and events/fundraising. 

We are struggling financially and they aren't putting effort into figuring it out. For the past year, our accountant has told the Board to write a letter to state organizations that have Charitable Gambling to bring in more money. Every month for year this was brought up, and they did nothing. I started doing fundraising on top of dog care a few months ago, and the first task the Board gave me was to get all contact info for 1,2k organizations in our state. I narrowed it down to 200 near us and gave them the info. A few months went by and they still hadn't written the letter, so I did this past week and will be mailing them out myself. It seems that the Board's responsibilities are continuing to fall onto me because they don't organize and accomplish things that need to be done. And I'm feeling it's more and more becoming my sole responsibility to bring in money with events, fundraising, and grants so we don't keep going downhill. I found the Open Arms Challenge recently and am excited to participate, however, lack of Board engagement in instances like this hinder our amount of participation and what's possible for us. I feel without a competent Board, I can do my job to the best of my ability but can't reach full potential. 

Most recently, someone donated their estate to our shelter, and so far only 25% of that is accounted for based on what I know from sitting in on meetings. It's strongly believed that some members took what they wanted from the house instead of holding an estate sale to benefit the shelter because they've taken non-monetary donations before, such as a car for personal use. We also had the opportunity to partner with an organization that would match all donations on our one big fundraising event, but it seems the Board let communications go and lost that opportunity. 

It's discouraging because myself and my coworkers love our shelter and animals, and we see the potential this place has if only we had a competent and dedicated Board. I've been with this shelter for nine years, first as a volunteer, then director, now dog care and fundraising, and during my time as a staff in the past 3-4 years, nothing has really improved with the Board besides them finally recognizing the toxicity of our previous shelter manager and paying staff livable wages. We want change and yet are scared to continue to speak up cause they've made it clear we are replaceable, and it's rumored they've fired all staff before for receiving backlash. I am posting anonymously for the same fear, and to not give my shelter a bad rep because our staff are lovely and passionate people and just want the best for our animals and community. 

I'm doing my part by giving ideas on new events and community outreach in Board meetings, and yet I don't get the support needed or incite action on their part. So we overall are feeling defeated and confused as to why people would volunteer their time to our cause if they aren't going to put in the work to help us. I'm scared that instead of them eventually finding new/more members with good work ethic or putting in the work themselves to get us to a more financially stable place, they will just let our shelter close.

Can you relate at all to having an unorganized Board? And what have you tried to promote change? If change cannot be made with current members, is there a way to get Board members replaced if all voting rights have been reduced to Board members only?

Any advice may help. Thank you.

oh my... does this ring some bells.For me, good relations, but board retention, engagement, efficiency problems of many years.Up to 11 members possible... two or three long term members who are tried and true, but rest are hit and miss at all levels of functioning.Use a "working" board model , (vs governance and oversight model) so at the mercy of board for several vital functions. We are not a large enough organization to be able to have in- house departments  to take over some of these functions. The baseline premise is that each organization is basically a business model. Ideally the makeup of the board should be folks who are qualified through education or life experience to make responsible decisions. Additionally, person(s) versed in animal welfare,non profit management etc. are a dream come true.(my biggest challenge). I have been at odds with my board at times....Some of what you are describing if true needs to be looked into. 501 (c) 3 are bound by the non-profit laws of the state you are in.

Our shelter staff routinely have issues with our Board or Directors, and we are at a loss on how to navigate this and bring in leaders who care to help and better our shelter. 

TLDR: Does your organization struggle with Board-staff relations, too? How have you been able to influence change from outside the Board and create more engagement? Is there a way to get Board members replaced if all voting rights have been reduced to Board members?

Brief overview: Our Board refuses to have more than five members, staff can sit in on meetings but are not allowed on the Board, by-laws were changed two years ago to take away more power from staff and secure Board Terms of three years. The three members who have been in their positions for 5-10 years are resistant to change, and the board meetings have loose agendas where no goals are established, outlined, or completed. The one fundraising event that one member puts together every year spends an unnecessary amount of money for a low ROI, and sometimes they don't take meeting notes, like in December 2023 when they had their end of year dinner together at the most expensive restaurant in our town using shelter funds. Our previous shelter manager left over two years ago, and the board has yet to hire a new shelter manager because of wages, and so the responsibilities have fallen onto the four full time staff who run the adoption programs, social media, and events/fundraising. 

We are struggling financially and they aren't putting effort into figuring it out. For the past year, our accountant has told the Board to write a letter to state organizations that have Charitable Gambling to bring in more money. Every month for year this was brought up, and they did nothing. I started doing fundraising on top of dog care a few months ago, and the first task the Board gave me was to get all contact info for 1,2k organizations in our state. I narrowed it down to 200 near us and gave them the info. A few months went by and they still hadn't written the letter, so I did this past week and will be mailing them out myself. It seems that the Board's responsibilities are continuing to fall onto me because they don't organize and accomplish things that need to be done. And I'm feeling it's more and more becoming my sole responsibility to bring in money with events, fundraising, and grants so we don't keep going downhill. I found the Open Arms Challenge recently and am excited to participate, however, lack of Board engagement in instances like this hinder our amount of participation and what's possible for us. I feel without a competent Board, I can do my job to the best of my ability but can't reach full potential. 

Most recently, someone donated their estate to our shelter, and so far only 25% of that is accounted for based on what I know from sitting in on meetings. It's strongly believed that some members took what they wanted from the house instead of holding an estate sale to benefit the shelter because they've taken non-monetary donations before, such as a car for personal use. We also had the opportunity to partner with an organization that would match all donations on our one big fundraising event, but it seems the Board let communications go and lost that opportunity. 

It's discouraging because myself and my coworkers love our shelter and animals, and we see the potential this place has if only we had a competent and dedicated Board. I've been with this shelter for nine years, first as a volunteer, then director, now dog care and fundraising, and during my time as a staff in the past 3-4 years, nothing has really improved with the Board besides them finally recognizing the toxicity of our previous shelter manager and paying staff livable wages. We want change and yet are scared to continue to speak up cause they've made it clear we are replaceable, and it's rumored they've fired all staff before for receiving backlash. I am posting anonymously for the same fear, and to not give my shelter a bad rep because our staff are lovely and passionate people and just want the best for our animals and community. 

I'm doing my part by giving ideas on new events and community outreach in Board meetings, and yet I don't get the support needed or incite action on their part. So we overall are feeling defeated and confused as to why people would volunteer their time to our cause if they aren't going to put in the work to help us. I'm scared that instead of them eventually finding new/more members with good work ethic or putting in the work themselves to get us to a more financially stable place, they will just let our shelter close.

Can you relate at all to having an unorganized Board? And what have you tried to promote change? If change cannot be made with current members, is there a way to get Board members replaced if all voting rights have been reduced to Board members only?

Any advice may help. Thank you.

Our shelter staff routinely have issues with our Board or Directors, and we are at a loss on how to navigate this and bring in leaders who care to help and better our shelter. 

TLDR: Does your organization struggle with Board-staff relations, too? How have you been able to influence change from outside the Board and create more engagement? Is there a way to get Board members replaced if all voting rights have been reduced to Board members?

Brief overview: Our Board refuses to have more than five members, staff can sit in on meetings but are not allowed on the Board, by-laws were changed two years ago to take away more power from staff and secure Board Terms of three years. The three members who have been in their positions for 5-10 years are resistant to change, and the board meetings have loose agendas where no goals are established, outlined, or completed. The one fundraising event that one member puts together every year spends an unnecessary amount of money for a low ROI, and sometimes they don't take meeting notes, like in December 2023 when they had their end of year dinner together at the most expensive restaurant in our town using shelter funds. Our previous shelter manager left over two years ago, and the board has yet to hire a new shelter manager because of wages, and so the responsibilities have fallen onto the four full time staff who run the adoption programs, social media, and events/fundraising. 

We are struggling financially and they aren't putting effort into figuring it out. For the past year, our accountant has told the Board to write a letter to state organizations that have Charitable Gambling to bring in more money. Every month for year this was brought up, and they did nothing. I started doing fundraising on top of dog care a few months ago, and the first task the Board gave me was to get all contact info for 1,2k organizations in our state. I narrowed it down to 200 near us and gave them the info. A few months went by and they still hadn't written the letter, so I did this past week and will be mailing them out myself. It seems that the Board's responsibilities are continuing to fall onto me because they don't organize and accomplish things that need to be done. And I'm feeling it's more and more becoming my sole responsibility to bring in money with events, fundraising, and grants so we don't keep going downhill. I found the Open Arms Challenge recently and am excited to participate, however, lack of Board engagement in instances like this hinder our amount of participation and what's possible for us. I feel without a competent Board, I can do my job to the best of my ability but can't reach full potential. 

Most recently, someone donated their estate to our shelter, and so far only 25% of that is accounted for based on what I know from sitting in on meetings. It's strongly believed that some members took what they wanted from the house instead of holding an estate sale to benefit the shelter because they've taken non-monetary donations before, such as a car for personal use. We also had the opportunity to partner with an organization that would match all donations on our one big fundraising event, but it seems the Board let communications go and lost that opportunity. 

It's discouraging because myself and my coworkers love our shelter and animals, and we see the potential this place has if only we had a competent and dedicated Board. I've been with this shelter for nine years, first as a volunteer, then director, now dog care and fundraising, and during my time as a staff in the past 3-4 years, nothing has really improved with the Board besides them finally recognizing the toxicity of our previous shelter manager and paying staff livable wages. We want change and yet are scared to continue to speak up cause they've made it clear we are replaceable, and it's rumored they've fired all staff before for receiving backlash. I am posting anonymously for the same fear, and to not give my shelter a bad rep because our staff are lovely and passionate people and just want the best for our animals and community. 

I'm doing my part by giving ideas on new events and community outreach in Board meetings, and yet I don't get the support needed or incite action on their part. So we overall are feeling defeated and confused as to why people would volunteer their time to our cause if they aren't going to put in the work to help us. I'm scared that instead of them eventually finding new/more members with good work ethic or putting in the work themselves to get us to a more financially stable place, they will just let our shelter close.

Can you relate at all to having an unorganized Board? And what have you tried to promote change? If change cannot be made with current members, is there a way to get Board members replaced if all voting rights have been reduced to Board members only?

Any advice may help. Thank you.

Our shelter staff routinely have issues with our Board or Directors, and we are at a loss on how to navigate this and bring in leaders who care to help and better our shelter. 

TLDR: Does your organization struggle with Board-staff relations, too? How have you been able to influence change from outside the Board and create more engagement? Is there a way to get Board members replaced if all voting rights have been reduced to Board members?

Brief overview: Our Board refuses to have more than five members, staff can sit in on meetings but are not allowed on the Board, by-laws were changed two years ago to take away more power from staff and secure Board Terms of three years. The three members who have been in their positions for 5-10 years are resistant to change, and the board meetings have loose agendas where no goals are established, outlined, or completed. The one fundraising event that one member puts together every year spends an unnecessary amount of money for a low ROI, and sometimes they don't take meeting notes, like in December 2023 when they had their end of year dinner together at the most expensive restaurant in our town using shelter funds. Our previous shelter manager left over two years ago, and the board has yet to hire a new shelter manager because of wages, and so the responsibilities have fallen onto the four full time staff who run the adoption programs, social media, and events/fundraising. 

We are struggling financially and they aren't putting effort into figuring it out. For the past year, our accountant has told the Board to write a letter to state organizations that have Charitable Gambling to bring in more money. Every month for year this was brought up, and they did nothing. I started doing fundraising on top of dog care a few months ago, and the first task the Board gave me was to get all contact info for 1,2k organizations in our state. I narrowed it down to 200 near us and gave them the info. A few months went by and they still hadn't written the letter, so I did this past week and will be mailing them out myself. It seems that the Board's responsibilities are continuing to fall onto me because they don't organize and accomplish things that need to be done. And I'm feeling it's more and more becoming my sole responsibility to bring in money with events, fundraising, and grants so we don't keep going downhill. I found the Open Arms Challenge recently and am excited to participate, however, lack of Board engagement in instances like this hinder our amount of participation and what's possible for us. I feel without a competent Board, I can do my job to the best of my ability but can't reach full potential. 

Most recently, someone donated their estate to our shelter, and so far only 25% of that is accounted for based on what I know from sitting in on meetings. It's strongly believed that some members took what they wanted from the house instead of holding an estate sale to benefit the shelter because they've taken non-monetary donations before, such as a car for personal use. We also had the opportunity to partner with an organization that would match all donations on our one big fundraising event, but it seems the Board let communications go and lost that opportunity. 

It's discouraging because myself and my coworkers love our shelter and animals, and we see the potential this place has if only we had a competent and dedicated Board. I've been with this shelter for nine years, first as a volunteer, then director, now dog care and fundraising, and during my time as a staff in the past 3-4 years, nothing has really improved with the Board besides them finally recognizing the toxicity of our previous shelter manager and paying staff livable wages. We want change and yet are scared to continue to speak up cause they've made it clear we are replaceable, and it's rumored they've fired all staff before for receiving backlash. I am posting anonymously for the same fear, and to not give my shelter a bad rep because our staff are lovely and passionate people and just want the best for our animals and community. 

I'm doing my part by giving ideas on new events and community outreach in Board meetings, and yet I don't get the support needed or incite action on their part. So we overall are feeling defeated and confused as to why people would volunteer their time to our cause if they aren't going to put in the work to help us. I'm scared that instead of them eventually finding new/more members with good work ethic or putting in the work themselves to get us to a more financially stable place, they will just let our shelter close.

Can you relate at all to having an unorganized Board? And what have you tried to promote change? If change cannot be made with current members, is there a way to get Board members replaced if all voting rights have been reduced to Board members only?

Any advice may help. Thank you.