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Volunteer Communication

  • Thursday, July 18, 2024 11:57 AM
    Message # 13383676

    Hi! I'm looking for advice on how to communicate with a couple volunteers regarding their attitude and outlook on volunteering. These are pet therapy volunteers. While Pet Therapy volunteers provide a truly amazing gift to our patients and staff, I've found that a couple of them do not like to commit to a schedule or visit location, and some complain about filling out annual paperwork. To be a little more blunt, they like to run the show. I've tried to communicate with them that we like to know when they are coming so that we don't have multiple Pet Therapy volunteers at the same time (we accept 2 different groups of certified pet therapy volunteers, and one of them has a requirement that they can't visit at the same time as another group of certified pet therapy volunteers).  I've also clearly explained that we do have some paperwork and training requirements because we are a healthcare facility. It seems like this comes up over and over again, and it is time consuming to try and get them to understand.

  • Friday, July 19, 2024 8:11 AM
    Reply # 13384032 on 13383676

    My best advice on this would be to give them a final notice on these issues. It sounds like you have shared your expectations with them already, multiple times, and they continue to act however they want. With pet therapy in particular, it can seem more daunting because the dogs are so beloved. However, we would not allow that behavior from a paid team member so we can't allow it in a volunteer, no matter their role. I would share with them that they need to select a specific day/time to volunteer and unless they are called in for a special request on another day, they should not be there. I would also let them know that annual compliance is a requirement of all volunteers and any person who does not meet these requirements is no longer allowed to volunteer. Therefore, they have the option of becoming compliant and volunteering on a schedule, or not volunteering.  If you have any written policies, or anything they have previously signed stating these requirements, you should share that with them as well. I had to let one of my most beloved pet therapy teams go a few years ago for similar issues. It was horrible in the moment but in the long run it has been so much better.


  • Monday, July 22, 2024 4:28 PM
    Reply # 13385095 on 13383676

    I just dealt with this situation last week - I had repeated conversations and emails with teams that were not attending or otherwise meeting expectations. I finally mailed out letters last week reiterating the expectations, and stated that they had 2 weeks to schedule a meeting for us to discuss before their files would be closed for noncompliance. 
    A couple have called and stated they cannot meet the expectations, but the others have stepped up. 

    Good luck,

     Jill Dugaw 

  • Tuesday, July 23, 2024 9:41 AM
    Reply # 13385330 on 13383676

    Thank you both! I appreciate hearing these suggestions!

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