Happy New Year!
Thank you for donating your time and skill to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. As I mentioned in a previous email, this has been a challenging year for all, and I appreciate you sticking with us.
If you are receiving this email and are longer a volunteer at GBHS, or are no longer interested in receiving communications from the GBHS Volunteer Program, please email me at cmorse@gbhs.org.
2020 in Review
2020 has been a year of changes for the Volunteer Department, and not only because of an on-going global pandemic. We converted to our new volunteer database, Galaxy Digital, at the beginning of the year and hired a new Manager of Volunteer Services and Community Engagement (me) in the fall. Because of the pandemic, our volunteer shifts have been minimized, our trainings are smaller, we have had no group or corporate volunteers at the last half of the year, and we have not yet fully welcomed back Junior Volunteers.
In spite of these changes, between January 1, 2019 and December 29, 2020, 679 volunteers, including fosters, have logged 36,244 hours of volunteer service with the GBHS. The Independent Sector rates the value of volunteer time in Alabama at $23.52. By this calculation, our volunteers have donated over $850,000 in their time and skill to the GBHS. But your value can't be expressed in numbers alone.
There are a few moments within the last few months that stick in my head. Lauren sitting on the ground in the hallway of Animal Control with a dog's head on her lap, stroking and comforting. Mike at Critical Care Clinic efficiently, and tenderly, covering post-surgery dogs and cats with fleece blankets so that they don't get too cold. Jennifer and Jack enthusiastically teaching a new class of Green-Apron volunteers, sharing their experiences. Connie cheerfully assisting with adoptions and kindly answering my myriad of questions. Bob sitting in my office to share pictures and stories of transports.The list goes on and on. I know that there is so much that all of you do to assist the staff and animals of the GBHS that goes on behind the scenes. Even if you are not named here, even if you and I have not yet met, believe me that you are appreciated.
I am constantly in awe of the dedication and kindness that you all - no matter which facility you serve - present to the dogs and cats within our collective care. I look forward to gathering more beautiful moments as we continue on this journey to fulfill the GBHS mission, together.
In the new year, you may see some changes to the Volunteer Program as I work to make it a more engaging and streamlined experience. I will continue to on-board and encourage all of you who have not yet begun to sign-up for shifts and input hours into gbhs.galaxydigital.com. I will let you know when we are welcoming back Junior Volunteers and any changes to the program and schedule that are made. I will continue to listen to your suggestions and concerns and address or promote them as needed. I will do my best to make sure each one of you feels valued. And I will try not to bombard you with emails.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you here at the GBHS.
With gratitude,
Chivon Morse
Manager of Volunteer Services and Community Engagement
cmorse@gbhs.org
205-942-1211 ext 230
