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Volunteer Guidelines
We truly appreciate your generosity with your time and talent in offering your services as a volunteer. In order to more effectively help animals as an organization we must sometimes put our personal preferences aside to work together as a group and with the community. As volunteers for Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary (HEA) we are agreeing to cooperate to achieve our common goals. We have found that it's helpful to provide guidelines and general information on how the organization functions to avoid confusion and misunderstandings for volunteers and others who act as representatives of HEA.
Professional presence. Sometimes people can be difficult to be sure, but it's important that all volunteers and staff maintain a polite and professional attitude whenever they are representing the organization. Even if the other person is getting nasty, unpleasant confrontations should be avoided. If a problem arises, please let the president, Amana Reitz, know about it as soon as possible.
Personal opinions and organizational policy. When you are representing the organization in public, people will have a tendency to perceive everything that you say as the official policy of the organization, even though this may not be your intention. Please take care not to represent any of your personal opinions in such a way that people might interpret them to be the policy of the organization. If anyone asks you a question about our policies that you cannot answer with certainty, you can always reply that you will check into it and will get back to them. This answer is also appropriate if you are talking with a reporter.
HEA materials. Do not customize or otherwise alter HEA flyers, documents, posters, presentations, or other materials. If you would like to create materials for the organization, please seek approval before you begin work on the project. This will help to avoid duplication of effort or time spent on something that cannot be used at this time.
Public comments. If you would like to write a letter to the editor or article on behalf of the organization, contact the HEA President, Amanda Reitz. Do not write letters or otherwise represent the organization without obtaining express, advance approval from Amanda.
Do not make public statements that are critical of other organizations. Statements about other organizations need to be approved by the HEA President.
Commitments. Unless you have been authorized to make a specific decision, do not make commitments for the organization, including offers of assistance or promising a pet to someone.
Fundraising. We always welcome assistance from volunteers and members with spreading the word about the organization and our programs. One easy way to do this is to distribute literature about the organization to friends, acquaintances, and family. If you would like to help fundraise in other ways, please confer with Amanda Reitz. It's important to get approval before soliciting donations, as we need to avoid duplicating requests, ensure that requests are appropriate (some funding sources may be controversial), obtain any required permits, and appropriately acknowledge all donations.
In-kind donations. It is obviously important that all donations be used in the manner in which they are intended to be used and we are legally responsible for documenting this, even if the donation is modest in size. We also want to appropriately acknowledge all donors and to keep in touch with them through our newsletter. All donations must be reported to the president, Amanda Reitz, in writing, including the name of the donor and a listing of items, their estimated value, and their disposition. Example: "July 1, 2005: 2 cases of cat food donated by Sally Smith, 101 Main Street, Canton, MA 02021; est. value $15; used to feed managed feral cat colony on East Street" We will document the donation in our records and send an official acknowledgment to the donor.
No-kill policy and euthanasia. HEA is a no-kill humane organization. We do not "euthanize" healthy animals. We do practice euthanasia in the true sense of the word, to end suffering of a critically ill or injured animal or as a very last resort in the case of a dangerously aggressive animal. Such a decision is made in consultation with a veterinarian and, when appropriate, a behaviorist. Euthanasia is always administered in the most painless method available by a licensed veterinarian.
Admitting animals to the shelter or foster homes. Unfortunately, we cannot take in every animal, though we wish we could. At this time we have limited resources, space, and volunteers to help. These factors limit the number of animals we can properly care for. To take in even one more animal than we can properly provide care for would be irresponsible and unfair to the animals. Whenever possible we try to accommodate the requests of our volunteers and members, but if we are unable to meet your request, please understand that we also receive multiple requests for help each week from the public, many involving animals in dire need of our help. We strive to prioritize care so that the neediest animals receive our attention first. Sadly, we are unable to help them all at this point in time. We maintain a waiting list of animals in need of shelter and veterinary care. Your support enables us to help ever-growing numbers of animals and to address the core issue that affects companion animals: overpopulation.
Policies and procedures. Organizational policies and procedures are established by the board of directors. Decisions regarding the day-to-day operation of the organization are under the authority of the designated program manager. This includes, but is not limited to, such matters as accepting animals into our care, euthanasia, fundraising methods, approving financial expenditures, exceptions to standard procedures, and all other operational matters. Volunteer input is always appreciated. We recommend that you address comments on policies, procedures, and decisions to the designated program manager.
Compensation. As a volunteer it's important that you understand that the organization will not be compensating you for your time or work.
Thank you for volunteering your time and caring for our animals. We appreciate your contribution very much, and hope that you and the animals have a great time together.
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