The HSUS offers a wide range of programs to support the work we all do with volunteers in our organizations. Under the "Programs" tab, you'll find professional development opportunities, discussion groups and scholarship opportunities. Under the "Policies" tab, you'll find a library of materials from groups around the country you can use as a reference. In the "From the Magazine" tab, you'll find a series of articles that examines all angles of volunteer management, including step by step instructions and advice to help you build the program you need.
Resources and Articles
From the Magazine
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March 1, 2012
Humane Law Forum: Worth the Risk
Got people lining up to volunteer for your organization? They’ll bring a ton of great assistance, but they may also present some liability risks. Fear not—they’re risks you can manage with the right approach.
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January 1, 2012
Kids Rock!
Does your shelter need an energy boost? By recruiting young people, you can acquire a volunteer force that’s brimming with energy and enthusiastic about helping animals.
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November 1, 2011
Show Me the Money: Cat Lady Takes on IRS—and Wins
A U.S. Tax Court decision emphasizes the right of animal welfare volunteers, especially fosterers, to deduct expenses.
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September 1, 2011
Volunteer Management: Not Like Starting Over
In her final column for Animal Sheltering, Hilary Anne Hager offers takeaway lessons she???s learned during 10 years of volunteer management in animal care environments???key among them that there???s no need to reinvent the wheel.
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May 1, 2011
Volunteer Management: People Who Need People
Recruiting new volunteers should wait until you???ve built a strong foundation, and your program can handle the increase in numbers. Here???s how to find the right people.
Policies
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Volunteer Opportunities for Young People
These suggestions are designed to help you reduce operational costs without jeopardizing services.
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December 1, 2011
Put It In Writing: Creating Volunteer Management Materials
The volunteer manual is one of the most important pieces of a successful volunteer program. The manual serves as an invaluable resource that volunteers can refer to time and again during their service with your organization.
Programs
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Join the Shelter Volunteer Management Discussion Group!
This list-serv for volunteer managers (paid or unpaid) in animal protection groups not only provides the opportunity to connect with peers for solutions and suggestions, but also offers access to the archive of previously asked questions and answers, and is searchable by topic.
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Everyone Ready
This program of Energize, Inc. is offered to animal protection groups free of charge. This training resource offers monthly webinars or self-paced instruction guides in a variety of topics throughout the year, including access to trainers and an immense archive of materials on each subject.
More
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Humane Career Toolbox
Humane Society University's Humane Career Toolbox will be of interest to people of all ages who seek to professionally assist animals. The toolbox contains resources for both beginning and enhancing a career helping animals.
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Shelter Volunteer Management Discussion Group
This is a group for managers of volunteers (both paid and volunteer) who work with animal shelters, breed placement groups, and other animal welfare organizations. Join us in exploring issues related to staff-volunteer relations, volunteer recruitment, training, retention, and supervision. This is a great opportunity to share ideas and improve the experience for volunteers as well as discuss the benefits they provide to our organizations.
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Job Descriptions and Fact Sheets from Humane Society University
The essential purposes, duties, tasks, responsibilities, and salary information for a variety of animal care and control positions.
Related Topics
- Animal Care & Handling
- Board Development
- Budgets
- Career Development
- Certification
- Client/Customer Service
- Coalition-Building
- Computers, Software & Internet
- Conflict Resolution
- Continuing Education
- Contracts
- Costs & Fees
- Crisis Management
- Cultural Diversity
- Dangerous Dogs
- Disaster Preparedness & Response
- Disease Control
- Disinfection & Cleaning
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Equipment
- Evaluation, Program & Organizational
- Human Resources
- Insurance, Shelter & Organizational
- Management
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration
- Operations
- Policies & Procedures
- Rabies
- Recognition, Staff & Volunteers
- Record Keeping
- Safety, Staff
- Salary Data, Shelter Employees
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Starting an Animal Organization
- Statistics
- Strategic Planning
- Stress & Compassion Fatigue
- Studies, Surveys, Reports, & Research
- Telephone Systems, Shelters
- Terminology
- Undomesticated Animals
- Veterinary Resources
- West Nile Virus
- Zoonotic Diseases



