Today is my favorite day of the year! It is otherwise known as the first day of school for Elmbrook School District, and my two girls are now back in school. Summer never seemed so long when I was a kid, but as an adult with kids, I know I am not alone in my happiness that it is finally over!
Summer is now over, and I am about to begin a new chapter in my life, and my tenure here at Elmbrook Humane Society.
I have been officially named the Executive Director of Elmbrook Humane Society. I have been unofficially toiling in that capacity for the past few months, and when my Board of Directors went to start searching for a new Executive Director they decided that they had a perfectly good one right here at the shelter already.
I have some mixed emotions about this appointment. I have made a career of being a #2 person. I liked to think that the #2 person slept better at night, but that was never the case here at EBHS. I worried, thought about, worked for, and lived for this shelter 24/7 no matter what my role was. I am ever hopeful that the next year will bring us success both in our mission of finding the best homes for wonderful animals, and the financial success that will ensure that we live on as an organization.
I really believe in EBHS. I believe that we are a different type of animal shelter.
We are a place where potential adopters get hands on help in making the right match for their family. We are not a Wal-Mart type of animal shelter with a lot of animals we want to get out the door that day. I like to think of us as a Tiffany & Co. type shelter. A small boutique with a great selection of family companions, that offers the animals and the adopters the time, the care, and the attention they deserve in making this most important and life altering decision.
We are a place where volunteers have a voice, and the freedom to work with the animals in a way that enriches their life and the lives of the creatures we care for. Our volunteers provide us with so much, and I think that we take our responsibility to our "unpaid staff" very seriously. They give us ideas, resources, knowledge, and love that we could not provide with our small staff alone. Every day I am awed by the extraordinary efforts of the volunteers here, and I am both proud, and humbled by the level of commitment I am surrounded by.
We are also a place where donors are more than just a name on a wall. I go lots of places, like zoos, or hospitals, where you see a bunch of names on a wall and you are left to wonder who these people are, and why they donated to this place. At Elmbrook Humane Society, every single day I either speak to on the phone to or I see one of our donors here, either volunteering, stopping in to say hello with an animal that they adopted, or coming in to show a friend or family member their special room or the sign commemorating the sponsorship they provided to us.
These reasons are why I know that EBHS is more than just a building with animals in it. It is a place with heart, thanks to our volunteers and donors, and soul, thanks to our staff and Board of Directors. I am so proud to be a part of EBHS, and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have been given to help lead us into the future.
I would like to thank the staff here at EBHS, most of all Carol Sumbry, who is truly my better half while at work. Also, Julia, Sue, Dawn, Marge, Crystal, Cassie, Paula, Kathy, Kara, Jerusha, Jeanette, and Darlene. They are a better team than I deserve, and they make me look good. I would never have even considered taking this position without knowing you all have my back!
I would like to thank all of the volunteers, especially Valerie, Clarice, Christine, Anil, Robin, Meggie, George, Dotty, Janet, Kathy, Colleen, Karen P., Karen S., Patti, Jill, Judy, Laura, and many others who I do not have time to thank here. I also want to give a special shout out Cheryl Robbins (who is no longer here but missed every day). These volunteers have so much energy, drive, and passion, and my day is all the brighter from a visit to my office or email from any of them.
I would like to thank the Board of Directors, especially Barb Baron, our President, Pam Rische, our Vice President, and JR Rickinger, member at large. Without their support and cheerleading, I would not have gotten through the summer. The rest of our Board is also very committed to the shelter, and I am thankful for their vote of confidence in me.
Now, to stop sounding like I just won an Academy Award, I want to remind you all that we have plenty of Waggin' Wheels car raffle tickets left, we still need your vote on the WISN A-list, Wag Fest is coming up on September 20, and the shelter is in need of toilet paper and canned dog and cat food!
Now I sound more like myself!
