When the pandemic hit, many animal organizations either dramatically shifted the work of volunteers or put volunteer programs on hold altogether. With more and more people being vaccinated every day and glimmers of normal, every-day life beginning to return, what will this mean for the re-engagement of volunteers in our organizations? In this highly-interactive session, we will explore the needs and issues you—as a leader of volunteers—need to plan for and brainstorm strategies for re-engaging volunteers safely while reimagining the roles volunteers play in our organizations to ensure they are best positioned to help us meet our missions.
Join your colleagues from animal organizations across the country and beyond for a highly interactive, collaborative session as we explore what volunteer involvement in the animal welfare field looks like post-pandemic. The session will include:
- A “state of the union” on volunteer engagement for the animal welfare sector—including what shelters experienced, where they are now in terms of reopening and having volunteers on site, the challenges still being overcome, and lessons learned.
- A case study from The Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago on how they navigated the pandemic and have begun a multi-phase reopening and reintegration of volunteers.
- Strategies for navigating change in your organization and tips for reimaging the future of volunteer engagement.
Please note: The majority of the session will include expert presentations and large group discussion. Towards the end of the session, we will offer breakouts on topics chosen by participants to allow for more personal networking and small-group discussions. For those not interested in breakouts (or experiencing Zoom fatigue!), you are welcome to simply listen during the breakout or leave the session at that time.
Presenters and Facilitators:
Betsy McFarland is a principal consultant for Adisa and leads Energize, a program providing training, resources and consulting in volunteerism. Betsy is a strategist, facilitator, and problem-solver who has forged a unique professional niche focused on empowering staff and volunteers committed to tackling challenging societal issues. She brings 25 years of experience in animal protection, including 18 years at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) where she served as vice president of the Companion Animals section. She has extensive experience growing volunteers within organizations large and small. She is a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) through the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and a trained facilitator through Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership.
Lydia Krupinski is the Vice President of Mission Impact where she oversees The Anti-Cruelty Society’s humane education, community outreach, volunteer, and adoption placement efforts. As the Society’s Chief Program Officer, Lydia is leading the charge in expanding the organization’s community of caring by supporting and inspiring animal lovers within and beyond the walls of the organization. Whether it’s facilitating adoption matches, equipping fosters and volunteers, responding to community pet needs, or mentoring the next generation of animal advocates, Lydia and her team are meaningfully engaging the public in exciting and innovative ways.
