Many who hold this position started in entirely different fields before they found their way to animal welfare. Volunteer managers handle everything from recruitment to scheduling to conflict mediation, working with both staff and volunteers to make sure everyone’s needs are met.

Behind every well-run volunteer program is someone making that magic. “Volunteers can give staff the breathing room they need to assess their organizations’ impact, build new programs, attend conferences and focus on the bigger picture stuff they can’t get to when they’re barely getting the day to day done,” says Lindsay Hamrick, director of shelter outreach and engagement for the Humane Society of the United States.Ī functional volunteer program that both meets an organization’s needs and provides meaningful opportunities for volunteers doesn’t “just happen,” however. Whether they’re fostering neonatal kittens, answering phones, cleaning kennels, chatting with potential adopters or tabling at public events, volunteers often fill crucial gaps when paid staff are stretched thin. Photo courtesy of Irvine Animal Care Centerįrom high-profile shelter networks to local rescues operating on a shoestring budget, any animal welfare organization can benefit from a robust volunteer program. Career spotlight: Volunteer managers By leveraging the power of an unpaid workforce, volunteer managers fill an essential role in animal welfareĪt the Irvine Animal Care Center, a volunteer helps a shy dog overcome his fear of people.

Hamrick software