by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know 72 years ago a passionate group of animal lovers got together and incorporated our organization on May 20, 1954? This group was our first set of volunteer Board of Directors. It wasn’t until October 14, 1968 that the Society took over managing the then newly built animal shelter at its current location. The original shelter was a small concrete block building at the site of the old dump. Today, through many Board changes, the current Board is celebrating our 72nd year in a brand new facility of only 3 years old.
Directors’ responsibilities include ensuring the financial stability of the organization, fundraising, building community relationships, monitoring program effectiveness, compliance with legal standards of operation; and updating and adherence to the Society’s by-laws, policies, and mission. And, in our case, involvement in the operation of the animal shelter in order to understand and be able to offer tangible suggestions to improve shelter and employee protocols and issues. Which basically means knowing how the shelter works on a daily basis by actually being there and taking part and becoming familiar with the animals in our care.
It used to be that directors would just show up at a monthly meeting and make decisions that would affect the homeless pets and the staff without any knowledge of either. In days of old, these monthly directors would yell at each other across the table over rather inconsequential things having never even been to the shelter except for the meetings. How does one make a decision about that which one does not fully understand? This is the question that has plagued me over the last 36 years as a director. So I have come to the conclusion that directors should come into the shelter for a minimum of four hours a month, which could include the one hour monthly meeting, to participate in staff duties, walk dogs, answer phones, or sit with the cats or rabbits. How else can you get to know what goes on inside the shelter on a daily basis? I do not feel this is an unreasonable requirement because our involvement in this organization involves living, feeling creatures who depend on our decisions to thrive in the shelter environment while they await adoption.
Five of our current 7 member Board consists of diverse background individuals who have been with the organization as directors for over 10 to 36 years. But a 7 member Board is not enough people to support our organization and we are stretched too thin with all that needs to be done. We are currently seeking one or two animal advocates as mainly fundraising directors in an effort to raise funds to meet the unexpected medical expenses that we encounter on a regular basis. A person must be a member of our organization for at least 3 months prior to acceptance as a Board of Director. Anyone with this specific interest who wishes to be a part of our dedicated all volunteer Board may reach out via email to warwickhumane@yahoo.com or call 845-986-2473 for an appointment to visit the facility.
Happy Birthday to Warwick Valley Humane Society!
Pet of the Week:
We assigned Spanish names for their coloring, Azul is the boy, the others are girls. Budgies need a cage greater in length than height so they can fly back and forth. Adoption in pairs or as a foursome only.
Small animal adoption forms are available at wvhumane.org or call 845-986-2473 for more information.
