Hi vollies,
Hope you are all keeping warm!
This is a quick newsletter to share a few shelter updates including an introduction to your new Volunteer Coordinator, Alex Graham!
For those of you who tuned in to our latest Volly Vibes Video Session, you would know I am moving into a new role with the vet team to pursue my dream of veterinary nursing! I want to thank you all for welcoming and supporting me in the Volunteer Coordinator position the last few months. It's been a pleasure working alongside each of you, witnessing your unparalleled dedication and passion! You'll be pleased to hear I'm leaving you in very capable hands with Alex!
Alex is an educator, administrator and health professional who comes with a broad range of experience in the Not-For-Profit and community sectors. Alex has been a volunteer, managed volunteers, run community groups and student placement programs, and managed busy schedules. More recently she's done some time in the retail sector followed by a stint as a dog walker, and is now excited to re-join the passionate people working in the Not-For-Profit arena. "To do that amongst other animal-lovers and for our beloved furry and feathered companions is a bonus! And I don't take sides - I love dogs and cats equally!"
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Please join me in welcoming her to the role!
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Hi Volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who not only continually supports the home, but are giving even more at the moment while the animal intake is so high. We can’t do this without your help and generosity, thank you so much. I wanted to take a moment to update you on what’s been happening at the home from an operational level…
We are in the process of working on our annual budgets and financial year planning. With the relocation from Carlton, increased operating costs and lack of response from government on funding for Kurnell, it has left us with a challenging position this year. The Leadership Team and Board are working together to find solutions and modelling sustainable options. We are very aware of our sub optimal working conditions since moving from Carlton, the high intake of animals and impacts of COVID, that has made this a difficult time for our Staff and Volunteers. We are so grateful for the wonderful work that you all continue to do through this and the dedication you show to the animals and the home. Thank you!
We are currently working on financial and operating modelling to future proof the home. One aspect we are reviewing are our Council contracts, that are not profitable for the home. This combined with the high intake we are experiencing and the limitations of working at Austral & Strathfield means that we have issued notice to our largest Council, Fairfield City Council, that our current service agreement will cease from 31st August 2022. We are negotiating for an ongoing relationship to combine increased fees while reducing their intake from 1st September. We will advise any updates as we know them. We will continue to review all Council service models to ensure they are working to help support our organisation’s objectives.
We will also be opening up income generating opportunities for the home to assist us reach our financial targets. This will include Vet services for staff, members, volunteers and adopters of the home, and eventually the public. We will be offering discounted Vet Services to you, our Volunteers, for your own pets, as another way of saying thank you for everything you do and give to the home.
Unfortunately, we have received disappointing news this week that NSW Government will not be supporting us with financial solutions to build Kurnell. We are working on other ways to continue to lobby government for their support, while developing an approach with a PR agency to use media and community support to help raise awareness of our situation and generate the support needed both from a lobbying and fundraising perspective. We will be quite aggressive in our approach moving forward to continue to focus on getting the support required to get our shelter built. Look out for us in the media over the next couple of months!
We are working together to develop a way to get through these challenging times, for the home and importantly, for the animals and communities we support. We appreciate your continued support and dedication to the home as we work on this.
I will provide another update with progress regarding Councils and Government as we hear more.
Thanks again,
Melissa
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Thank you for everything you do to help look after the animals.
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Thank you all for a furbulous few months! Please don't hesitate to reach our with any questions, feedback or comments.
Thank you furry much!
Lucy Hay
Operations & Volunteer Coordinator
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