This is a copy of a letter sent to Risa Weinstock by a group of volunteers,
Risa's answer follows.
December 21, 2009
TO: Risa Weinstock RWeinstock@nycacc.org
Richard Gentles RGentles@nycacc.org
Sarah Brown SBrown@nycacc.org
Katherine Good KGood@nycacc.org
FROM: The undersigned volunteers
RE: Volunteer Morale; Volunteer Coordinator
Dear Park Place Management,
We are writing about a plunge in volunteer morale. It’s the lowest many of us have seen in years. The
number of volunteers who actually come to the Shelters is down dramatically, and several experienced
volunteers have quit.
Volunteers are essential to any animal shelter. Every audit of the AC&C has noted that it must do more
to attract, retain, and properly utilize volunteers. Central to that goal is a qualified Volunteer
Coordinator. This position requires someone who’s a natural leader, who can engender camaraderie
among volunteers, and who can attract, train, and hold onto volunteers. Equally important, this person
must be able to mediate disputes between volunteers and staff without inflaming the situation.
While the AC&C needs volunteers (and, in turn, we’re eager to serve), you cannot look to us to do the
basic work of kennel staff. Yet, there’s a noticeable reduction in staff. Before she resigned, Volunteer
Coordinator Lois Valbuena wrote that “many of them [AC&C staff] pull down double shifts.” Just how
understaffed is the AC&C? With the holidays approaching, the problem will be even more acute. Will
there be enough staff (and supervisors) to serve the animals’ basic needs?
The AC&C cannot look to volunteers to take the place of employees.
And the AC&C must hire a qualified Volunteer Coordinator.
Thank you for your attention to this letter.
Signed:
Risa Weinstock's answer:
From: Risa Weinstock <rweinstock2@nycacc.org>
To: Eva Prokop <evaprokop@yahoo.com>
Cc: Richard P. Gentles <rgentles@nycacc.org>; Sarah Brown <sbrown@nycacc.org>; Katherine Good
<kgood@nycacc.org>
Sent: Tue, December 22, 2009 6:26:20 PM
Subject: RE: Volunteer Morale; Volunteer Coordinator
Thank you very much for your email. We appreciate your input and expect to make an announcement
very shortly regarding a volunteer coordinator who has the skills and leadership ability to maximize the
value of all the volunteers’ hard work and concern for animals.
| Shelter Reform Action Committee (SRAC) ShelterReform.org: Everything you ever wanted to know about the AC&C, but were afraid to ask. |
