Volunteer Management How to Get, Keep and Release Volunteers Rachel Avilla Wildlife Rehabilitation Volunteer Manager Lindsay Wildlife Museum

About Me Graduated from Saint Mary’s College with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences Graduated from Saint Mary’s College with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences Wildlife Rehabilitation 11 years Wildlife Rehabilitation 11 years Started as an Intern at Santa Rosa Bird Rescue Intern and volunteer at Lindsay Wildlife Museum Staff at Lindsay Wildlife Museum for 8 years

More About Me Six years volunteer manager at Lindsay Wildlife Museum Six years volunteer manager at Lindsay Wildlife Museum Specialize in Volunteer Management, Swifts and Passerine Care particularly House Finches and Corvids Specialize in Volunteer Management, Swifts and Passerine Care particularly House Finches and Corvids

About Lindsay Wildlife Museum Officially established rehabilitation hospital in 1970’s Officially established rehabilitation hospital in 1970’s In 1980’s 10,000 animals a year In 1980’s 10,000 animals a year 1990’s 1990’s new building new building introduced species policy introduced species policy 8,000 animals a year 8,000 animals a year developed the current training system developed the current training system Currently Museum Wide 500+ volunteers 80,000 hours of volunteer service each year 20,000 students a year 75,000 visitors a year Rehabilitation Hospital 350 rehabilitation volunteers Average of 5400 native animals a year 10’s of thousands of phone calls a year

Why Volunteer Management? Without volunteers wildlife rehabilitation would not exist ( no $$$$$) Without volunteers wildlife rehabilitation would not exist ( no $$$$$) Quality care requires well trained, managed and dedicated volunteers Quality care requires well trained, managed and dedicated volunteers Volunteers are a facilities greatest resource Volunteers are a facilities greatest resource

Most Important Points to Remember Be honest Be honest Training Training Structure Structure Easy, simple and clear information Easy, simple and clear information Acknowledgement and appreciation Acknowledgement and appreciation Volunteers can do volunteer management Volunteers can do volunteer management Volunteering is a privilege, not a favor Volunteering is a privilege, not a favor

Recruitment Who People that bring in animals Local medical facilities, Nurses!!! Local retirement communities Other local animal rescue organizations Community Service (schools and courts)

Recruitment How Fliers Local volunteer centers Website! Word of mouth Easily accessible information Effort

Training Must have a pre-training program Must have a pre-training program Better the training Better the training  better the volunteers Longer the training Longer the training → more committed the volunteers More organized the training → more comfortable the volunteers More organized the training → more comfortable the volunteers More prepared the volunteer → happier the volunteer More prepared the volunteer → happier the volunteer Happy Volunteer = Better Animal Care

Pre-Training Mandatory Introduction Class Mandatory Introduction Class This is what you are getting yourself into This is what you are getting yourself into Laundry, dishes, poop and food prep… Any ?’s Laundry, dishes, poop and food prep… Any ?’s Beginning Volunteer Training Beginning Volunteer Training Charge small fee for class Charge small fee for class This is what you need to know before volunteering This is what you need to know before volunteering

Pre-training Priorities Health and Safety Rules and Regulations Basic Anatomy and Physiology Handling Basic bird and or mammal care What ever your facility specializes in

Pre-Training Tips No more that 2 hours No more that 2 hours Lectures and Labs combined in 2 hours Lectures and Labs combined in 2 hours Lots of cool pictures in presentations Lots of cool pictures in presentations Handouts to compliment training Handouts to compliment training Homework Homework Videos of class Videos of class Bring in animals halfway through training Bring in animals halfway through training No preferential treatment No preferential treatment

Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s Method Introduction to Wildlife Class 3 times a year in Oct. and Jan., charge $65 for class Introduction to Wildlife Class 3 times a year in Oct. and Jan., charge $65 for class Core Curriculum Training Program 1 time a year Feb.-Mar. Core Curriculum Training Program 1 time a year Feb.-Mar. There are 7, two hour classes totaling 14 hours of pre-training. There are 7, two hour classes totaling 14 hours of pre-training. Provide 3 different sections to maximize flexibility in schedules for new volunteers Provide 3 different sections to maximize flexibility in schedules for new volunteers Been doing it this way for 25 years, it works! Been doing it this way for 25 years, it works!

Continuing Education Natural History and Care of Species Natural History and Care of Species Advanced handling and restraint classes Advanced handling and restraint classes Medications Medications Nutrition Nutrition Husbandry and enrichment Husbandry and enrichment Releases Releases Rescue training Rescue training Be creative and use your strengths Be creative and use your strengths Have a system of what new volunteers can do and what they can achieve with time Without potential for advancement… What’s the point?

On-shift Trainings Laundry Laundry Dishes Dishes Cage Cleaning Cage Cleaning Enclosure set-ups Enclosure set-ups Medications Medications Diet preparation Diet preparation Pool cleaning Pool cleaning Almost all skills Almost all skills Make sure all volunteers are on the same page for all house keeping needs

Volunteer Maintenance Avoid Burnouts Avoid Burnouts Shift Unity Shift Unity Shift Structure Shift Structure Special Opportunities Special Opportunities Recognition of Years Volunteering Recognition of Years Volunteering Keep Updated and Involved Keep Updated and Involved Appreciation Events Appreciation Events

Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s Method Short frequent shifts Short frequent shifts Shift leaders and mentors on every shift Shift leaders and mentors on every shift Before and end of season meetings Before and end of season meetings Involve them when something cool is happening Involve them when something cool is happening Check up on them and get to know them Check up on them and get to know them

Release of Volunteers They Leave Because Life happens Bored Not a good fit Confusion and frustration Lack of supervision Staff or other volunteers We Release Because Blatant disregard of policies or protocols Inappropriate injury to themselves, an animal or another volunteer Inappropriate interaction with another volunteer or staff.

Before Our Volunteers Start Committed to 9 meetings Committed to 9 meetings A grand total of 18 hours of training A grand total of 18 hours of training Completed all necessary paperwork Completed all necessary paperwork They are worthy of becoming a volunteer Volunteering is a privilege, not a favor

Other Requirements Yearly membership Yearly membership Minimum hour completion Minimum hour completion Continuing education Continuing education There should be requirements for maintaining an active volunteer status

Thank You