HRN Volunteer Meeting Minutes,
Attendees:
Suzanne, Diane, Megan, Bill, Ashley, Beth, Tom, Erica, Andy, Emily, Corinna,
Tricia, Jillian, Tom, Jessica & family
Items Discussed
Adoptions: 137 adoptions so far this year, which is on pace
to set a record.
Foster Homes: Increase in number – now up to 17 foster homes,
with some having one or two foster buns, others with many more.
Request for Help: Can someone trim
nails in
Newsletter: Has been completed and sent out; our three
newsletters per year help build our reputation and we are considered very
reliable.
Membership: 110 members who give generously.
Hotline: People are consistently impressed by Hotline
volunteers’ responses and the fact that we call them back; we have excellent
Hotline volunteers!
Request for Help: Is someone willing to be the Stray Coordinator? Responsibilities: gather necessary information,
such as location, description and contact person, and organize resources for
capture by assembling teams, facilitating their communication and establishing
action plans; do not need to be present at every round-up, just willing to
coordinate. (no volunteer)
Email Lists: We have multiple email lists, each serving a
purpose: (1) vol = activities only, (2) chat = all conversations, (3) house
rabbit network = one update email per month, is very good publicity for HRN and
adopters can opt to be part of this list at time of adoption.
Shelter Contest: Vote! There is an opportunity to win a national
prize and a state prize. Presently we are #70 nationally, but we are very
strong contenders for the first place state prize. Should we post the link more
prominently on the website? (will look into that)
Bunsitting: Brings in $2,000 to $3,000 per year and is one of
our best fundraisers.
Ed. Days: Ed. Days are a great opportunity to interact with
different groups of people. We have done 19 so far and have 4 more scheduled this
year. Diane coordinates and is always looking for interested new volunteers and
will make sure they’re paired with experienced volunteers. We are also
interested in new locations: Cider Hill in Amesbury, owner Glen Cook? (investigate for next year)
Blog: We have a blog and
encourage volunteers to post: (1) foster homes can post about their fosters for
more exposure; (2) educators can post about Ed. Days, pre and post; (3) can
link to articles and photos. *Please note: When blogging discretion is very important,
so please do not provide specifics, such as full names, addresses or too much
detail about anyone’s household.
Petfinder: All HRN bunnies are listed on Petfinder, which
results in 20% to 30% of our adoptions. Tricia is able to track hits (645/week),
as well as which buns are getting the most hits. More information increases the
likelihood of hits and adoptions, so foster homes are encouraged to provide 3
pictures, a detailed bunny bio, and links to blog and videos. Please email
Erica with updates and send foster blog posts to Tricia also.
Request for Help: Is someone willing to write bulletins and press releases? (Jessica and Bill volunteered;
Suzanne will follow up)
Flatbread: Annual fundraiser to take place Tuesday, October
21, 2008, 4 to 9 pm. There is a raffle, with a drawing at 8:30 pm, and prizes
can be seen on the website. Please share tables and vacate when done eating so
that as many people as possible can sit. It was very crowded last year. *Please
note: Next year raffle donations will need to be received two weeks in advance.
Socializing
Rabbits: People can volunteer to
socialize rabbits at foster homes.
Website: In addition to the public website, there is a
private, password-protected website for volunteers with contact information,
foster info and event notes. Ask Suzanne for access.
Calendars: We’ve sold 105 so far at $10 (our cost is $6.50).
Leith Pettwerks (pettwerks.com) bought 40. Calendars will be available at
Flatbread and Veg. Fest. Contact Tricia and Tom for calendar requests.
Professionalism: Important to maintain professionalism at all
events and in all communications. We have an excellent reputation, which
greatly benefits the buns, and we want to protect this reputation and our
nonprofit status. As a group, we can take
only certain action. However, individuals, speaking for themselves, can also
make a huge impact.
Fundraising: Concerns about success of Yankee Candle
fundraiser. Volunteers are encourage to suggest new
fundraising ideas. Contact Suzanne.