Action Plan
Personal obstacles I face are closely tied to my current areas for growth or improvement. I worry that a full-time position in a municipal shelter could become overwhelming and emotionally draining, given the daily realities of frequent surrenders, strays, cruelty cases, dog fights, and the ongoing need for euthanasia. I am concerned about maintaining a positive outlook and avoiding compassion fatigue. It has taken years to learn how to cope with the intense emotions experienced in this environment without disconnecting from the animals or people I serve. In the beginning, the emotional weight felt unmanageable, and it required time, practice, and development of healthy coping strategies for me to effectively process my feelings.
To facilitate my transition into a full-time position as Volunteer Coordinator, I will request documented performance evaluations during my internship to identify any areas for improvement and to communicate my interest in advancing. I will maintain consistent, open communication with leadership while continuing to actively collaborate and participate in volunteer training initiatives.
I will present leadership with the benefits of establishing a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator role, supported by data from other shelters with successful programs. Through a detailed presentation, I will outline how enhanced volunteer training and engagement can improve retention, leading to higher-quality animal care and increased adoption rates.
According to Vroom’s Expectancy Theory, I am motivated by the belief that if I continue to demonstrate strong performance in my internship, the shelter director will recognize my strengths and reward that performance with the opportunity to advance into a full-time position.
I will apply for the Volunteer Coordinator position at the shelter and transition into a full-time role by May 2026.
As the Volunteer Coordinator, I will work to increase volunteer retention by enhancing training and engagement. As a shelter, we will use a new structured onboarding system for new volunteers, supported by a user-friendly scheduling and management platform. This system will allow volunteers to view demonstration videos, sign up for training sessions with an experienced volunteer or the coordinator on pre-set dates, and utilize a comprehensive training guide and checklist to be reviewed during the sessions.
The success of the new program will be measured by an increase in volunteer retention, aiming to rise from 20% to 60% by December 2026. This initiative is critical to the shelter’s success, as higher volunteer retention and improved training contribute to better-quality animal care and increased adoption rates.
According to Talukder (2014) in Employee Motivation Measurement: A Descriptive Analysis, employees and volunteers are most motivated by strong leadership, opportunities for growth, adequate training, and safe working conditions, key areas I would prioritize as Volunteer Coordinator.