2009 Management Conference Wrap-Up

Cincinnati, Ohio was home to the 2009 SAWA Management Conference.

The conference kicked off on Tuesday, June 9, with a delightful evening at the SPCA Cincinnati. Guests were able to tour the recently completed new shelter. Cocktails and Conversation were presented by Hill’s followed by a barbeque and live music courtesy of Hill’s and SPCA Cincinnati. A big thanks to Harry Dates, Mike Retzlaff, Paully Brengel and the rest of the SPCA Cincinnati crew for being such wonderful hosts!

A strong line-up of topics and speakers kept the attendees engaged the next day. Gregg Lederman of Brand Integrity presented the opening session “Designing the Customer Experience”. At the Wednesday luncheon, Dr. George Vredeveld of the University of Cincinnati spoke about the current economic situation, what caused it and how we will recover.

Breakout sessions were presented that afternoon. The Administration Track heard CPA Dave Moja speak about cost allocations and held an Accounting and Finance Roundtable discussion.

The Development Track featured Tom Conway of the Conway Company talking about successful fundraising in tough times and Mark Littlecott speaking on Donor-Centered Giving.

The Operations Track heard about recent microchip advances and options for shelters from Dr. Linda Lord of Ohio State University followed by a roundtable discussion on Admission by Appointment.

On Thursday, the conference sessions opened with “Innovative Work Processing” by Dan Chenoweth.
The afternoon breakouts offered another enticing group of track specific topics. The Administrative Track included sessions on “High Performance Employee Review Processes” by Erica Siegel of Oasis Outsourcing and a roundtable discussion on HR issues.

Those following the Development Track heard Heidi Jark of Fifth Third Bank Foundation Office discuss how grant makers are maximizing impact while minimizing risk and then held a Bright Ideas discussion.

The Operations Track featured a Horse Panel with Jim Boller of Code 3 Associates, Lori Kane Redmon of Kentucky Humane Society and Midge Leitch of the American Association of Equine Practitioners discussing the current strain of increased horse surrenders on shelters and rescue operations followed by a Rainbow Roundtable Discussion.

The 2009 Management Conference came to a close with cocktails, dinner and a deejay for line dancing on Thursday evening.

Thanks to the conference committee: Chair Alice Calabrese Smith, Rick Gabrielson, Richard Gerbasi, David Gregory, Shelly Stuart and Karen Terpstra; subcommittee members Amy Dielschneider, Theresa Geary, Susan Mentley, Mike Oei, Anthony Priore, Mike Retzlaff and Felix Young; and to conference coordinator Judy Burnett.

Special thanks to the conference sponsors Hill’s Pet Nutrition, American Humane, AVID, Bayer, Home Again, The Humane Society of the United States and Purina Pets for People. Without their support, SAWA would be unable to present such outstanding conferences.

Legacy of Leadership Scholarship Established

Forty-four persons took the Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) exam on June 9 in Cincinnati, the largest group in the history of the examination.

The exam was offered in conjunction with the 2009 SAWA Management Conference.

The test site was the SPCA Cincinnati, Sharonville, OH facility. Special thanks to the SPCA Cincinnati for providing the testing site and for providing buses to transport the examinees to and from their hotels to the exam site.

The SAWA Board of Directors has established a new scholarship fund. The Legacy of Leadership Scholarship was established to honor those professionals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in animal welfare and sheltering through service on the SAWA Board of Directors.

The scholarship is intended to provide professional development opportunities for tomorrow’s national leaders by providing funding for attendance at the SAWA National Conference held in the fall each year.

The SAWA Board of Directors established the memorial scholarship fund to honor the contributions of individuals who have served as leaders through their service as SAWA Board members and to provide a means to help develop future leaders.

Initially honoring Gregory Bloomfield and Victoria Wellens, who passed away in 2009, and consisting of an ongoing honor roll of memorials, contributions to the Fund will be accepted and distributed in the form of scholarships for SAWA members in the amount of $500 or $1,000 (as funding permits) to the annual SAWA National Conference.

Scholarships will be administered by the SAWA Conference Committee, with recognition of the recipients and honorees at the National Conference as well as through the SAWA annual report.

Individuals contributing to the Legacy of Leadership Fund will be provided with an acknowledgment letter and notification to the honoree’s family, as appropriate.

SAWA and Strategic Planning

A Message from Maurine Dyer Stevens, SAWA Executive Director

What makes organizations move from being good to being GREAT?

The SAWA Board of Directors believes a key factor is to be visionary ~ to develop a vision, mission and values that transcend the work of the association. With that goal in mind, earlier this year we asked your opinion and over 200 SAWA members responded giving us input on your current professional challenges, your level of satisfaction with SAWA programs and services, and your thoughts about SAWA’s future direction. We also met with key decision makers, business partners and interested animal welfare leaders to gather their opinions. We listened to you!

Our planning process that began in February included a Strategic Planning Retreat where the SAWA Board of Directors got down to the “basics” of who we are and what we want to become. Those deliberations culminated earlier this month with the Board’s adoption of a new Mission, Vision and Value Statements.

The new Mission describes our overall purpose as an individual professional membership organization and our commitment to you as professional animal welfare and control administrators.

Our Vision is aggressive, but we believe essential to help SAWA grow from a “good” organization to a GREAT professional membership society.

Our Value Statements represent the culture we convey within the animal welfare and control community and the marketplace.

The development of the SAWA comprehensive strategic plan is nearing completion and we will be excited to share the plan with you in the very near future. It will inform our decision making, help us achieve determined goals to effectively represent you, plus assure we'll provide you with exceptional products and services.

SAWA is dedicated to being responsive to your needs as professionals and together we’ll continue to build a GREAT SAWA. Please watch for updates and details of our Strategic Plan priorities.

SAWA Mission

The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA) is a community of professionals committed to excellence in the management and operation of local animal welfare and control organizations.

Through the active involvement and contributions of our members, SAWA provides the practical knowledge, resources and solutions members need to grow as professionals, achieve the goals of their organizations, and, collectively, advance the animal welfare profession.

SAWA Vision

1. SAWA is respected as the voice for effective management of local animal welfare and control organizations, and related issues where this expertise is essential.

2. SAWA is THE source for professional knowledge, best practices, standards of competency and industry data concerning the operation of local animal welfare and control organizations.

3. SAWA is the catalyst for continuous professional development of agency management and elected leadership teams.

4. SAWA is the access point to a robust network of experience, expertise, ideas and resources willingly shared by its members who represent the full diversity of animal welfare and control organizations.

5. SAWA is a sought-after partner with industry and related animal welfare organizations pursuing mutual goals and interests in advancing the profession.

6. SAWA operates with the infrastructure, volunteer and staff leadership and financial capacity required to fulfill its mission at the highest levels of excellence.

SAWA Values

What We Stand For As a Profession

• We believe in the intrinsic dignity and sanctity of human life.

• We believe in the intrinsic dignity and sanctity of animal life.

• We believe that companion animals are a product of human intervention and that we have a special obligation to them in regard to humane treatment and responsible stewardship.

• We believe we have an obligation to alleviate suffering.

• We believe we have an obligation to prevent cruelty.

• We believe that people should treat each animal as kindly as possible.

• We believe we have a duty to protect and care for the suffering and homeless.

• We believe that our values, decisions, conduct and behavior should set the tone and be a model for others in their care and treatment of animals.

• We believe the commitment, care and attention we afford to both human beings and animals are only differentiated by degree and not by kind.

How We Operate As an Association

HONESTY

• Communicate consistently, truthfully and with integrity inside and outside of the organization.

• Accept responsibility for our actions.

• Provide honest and accurate information regarding agency policies, procedures and programs like fund raising and the disposition of animals.

RESPECT

• Treat all living creatures with respect and dignity.

• Create an open environment which encourages and solicits input from all stakeholders.

• Recognize the value of each individual or group.

• Acknowledge socio-economic, cultural, ethnic and philosophical differences.

• Advocate and model respectful behavior through individual and organizational example.

RESPONSIBILITY

• Apply all applicable laws impartially with organizational guidelines.

• Provide humane treatment and care for animals.

• Seek ways to improve the operation and delivery of services. Pursue excellence.

• Share information and seek input from, educate, and cooperate with others.

BE FAIR and JUST

• Use good judgment instead of being judgmental.

• Listen to and consider opposing viewpoints.

• Make informed decisions without personal bias.

• Apply consistent principles in decision-making while allowing for flexibility.

CARING and COMPASSION

• Strive to provide for the physical and psychological needs of people and animals.

• Encourage and support board and staff development.

• Provide a humane and dignified death for animals using recommended and approved methods.

• Extend the principles of caring and compassion to the public.

• Provide a supportive environment in which to deal with issues of euthanasia and grief.

CITIZENSHIP

• Represent the organization in a professional manner.

• Strive to promote positive and collaborative relationships with other agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Randy Partee Memorial Scholarship

At its January 2009 meeting, the SAWA Board of Directors voted to establish a scholarship in memory of Hill’s executive Randy Partee. Randy, who passed away in January, was integral to the development of the sponsorship agreement between SAWA and Hill’s, as well as to the shelter feeding program.

The scholarship will fund professional development for a SAWA member at the annual SAWA National Conference. Development of the criteria for the scholarship is underway. The first scholarship will be awarded at the November 2009 conference.

Morris Animal Foundation Funds Feline Health Research

Morris Animal Foundation’s new Helping Shelters Help Cats program is funding three feline health research studies aimed at reducing stress and increasing adoption rates. Funding for the studies is made possible by an anonymous gift from a cat lover. Helping Shelters Help Cats is part of the foundation’s Happy Healthy Cat Campaign.

Dr. Kate Hurley, director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at U.C.-Davis will receive funding to study risk factors that increase upper respiratory infection (URI) outbreaks in shelters and to develop practical, cost-effective recommendations to improve cat health and comfort.

The second study will involve an international team of researchers that will analyze shelter conditions that cause emotional stress and plan to develop effective behavioral interventions to minimize the spread of URI in cats.

Veterinary scientists at Ohio State University will identify ways to increase the safety and comfort of shelter surroundings in the third study. The researchers will use the results of their research to create a training program to reduce stress in shelter cats through cage and environmental enhancements. For more information go to www.research4cats.org

National Conference Preview

The Live Music Capitol of the World, Austin, Texas, will be home to the 2009 SAWA National Conference, November 15-17, 2009.

The conference committee is hard at work creating an exciting and informative program for you. We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker is Richard Lederer, a noted speaker, author and radio commentator. He is the author of more than 30 books about language, history and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current books, A Treasury for Dog Lovers and A Treasury for Cat Lovers. His syndicated column, “Looking at Language” appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States. He has been named International Punster of the Year and is a Toastmasters International Golden Gavel winner.

Besides these accomplishments, Dr. Lederer is a professional poker player and the father of famed poker players Howard Lederer and Annie Duke. We are planning a special poker event during the conference. The conference committee is planning sessions on coalition building, marketing and pr on a shoestring, shelter diagnostic system, board development and more.

We will be headquartered at the Hyatt Regency Austin, a four star resort-style hotel, within walking distance of the Warehouse and Sixth Street Entertainment Districts. Austin is widely known for its unique blend of dance clubs, live music venues, restaurants and bars.

The Hyatt is situated on the shores of Lady Bird Lake and next to the famous Bat Bridge. The hotel offers an outdoor pool, sundeck and whirlpool; a 24-hour gym; and is adjacent to a 10-mile hike ‘n bike trail, riverboat tours, paddleboats and canoe rentals.

The hotel is just eight miles from Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Airport transportation is available from Super Shuttle for $12 each way. For reservations call 512-258-3826 or 800-258-3826.

The rate for the hotel is $169 per night for single or double occupancy. The deadline for reservations is October 16, 2009. To reserve your hotel room call 888-421- 1442 or go to: https://resweb.passkey.com/ go/SAWA

Watch your email for the complete conference schedule and registration information later this summer.

New SAWA Members April 2009 - June 2009

Welcome to our newest SAWA members. Their names and organizations are listed below.

*Please make sure you keep all your membership information current with SAWA.  If you move, change position, or have other contact information changes, please contact us at: http://www.sawanetwork.org/members.htm