In the three weeks since I declared 2013 to be a good year for sharing and gathering information, I’ve learned a lot about what I don’t know. (It seems that I’m always learning more and more about what I don’t know.) Corresponding to what I don’t know though, are a few new things that I DO know:
- I know that starting my humane education organization, Animals Who Educate (A.W.E.), is NOT going to be a quick and easy project, especially since I can’t currently dedicate enormous amounts of time to it due to my "real" job and my ongoing volunteer work with NYCSR.
- I know I need to read A LOT during the next couple years, so I will have a better idea of what I’m doing, what’s already out there, what works, what doesn’t work, and how I can make the biggest difference without duplicating effort.
- I know that I need to put together a group of people to help get started, instead of trying to do it alone – a brain trust – to advise me as I make decisions and choose board members, among other things.
- I have the beginnings of a list of necessary directors, but this probably isn’t complete:
- an educator,
- a lawyer,
- a public relations guru,
- a grant writer/fund raiser, and
- an administrator (filled – that’s me)!
There is a lot that I need to learn and sort out. That’s going to take awhile. I hope everyone who is interested will stick around, ask questions, and help provide information.
Question of the week: Should I aim for this to be an organization that can pay salaries for several people to work full time? It could accomplish a lot more that way, as opposed to being a 100% volunteer effort forever. However, it would require a whole set of skills – fund raising and grant writing – that I don’t have and that it wouldn’t be able to PAY for until after it already had it. Thoughts?
I’d work for you.
Me too.
Count me in.
I would love to do this type of work!
Where would the money for these salaries come from? And will there be enough of a continuous flow to be able to pay people through out the year/season?
You guys flatter me. For all you know, I’m a tyrannical leader!
The money would have to come from grants, sponsorships and donations. An all-volunteer group can fund raise sporadically to cover fluctuating expenses (like vet bills for a rescue group) and get by mostly on donations. A non-profit with employees has to have a regular income. Some organizations generate a portion of that income with their programs – for example, a theater group that provides educational programs, but also puts on paid performances to help pay the bills – but I don’t think A.W.E. would have any income generating programs. The money would have to come from education-related government grants, corporate sponsorships, planned giving and constant fund raising efforts. I think the first paid employee would have to be the person in charge of raising money!
Having to get oneself paid is usually a pretty good incentive.
That’s true Leslie! If the fund raiser were the first person hired though, they would have to care passionately about a lot more than their own salary. They’d have to raise enough money to cover salaries for a couple other people, the costs of marketing and educational materials, travel, etc.
If this were a JOB instead of a volunteer gig, Snick and I would have time to travel around the country to education conferences to talk about the program and train regional coordinators. If we had staff, we could help get laws supporting humane education passed in more states. If we had money, we could create public service announcements to reach out to additional volunteers.
I hadn’t really thought about it this way before!
The SOP used to be that the first employee, the fund raiser, started off with basically a 1/3 cut. 1/3 to the president and 1/3 to the program. With a cap on the salaries which starts to build for more salaries and program expenses. Tough part is getting it rolling but usually there’s some momentum by the time the salary caps are hit.
That’s awesome info Leslie. Thank you. (See… so much that I don’t know!)
I have quite a varied past that includes bookkeeping for a branch of Goodwill Industries and a few smaller NPOs
Leslie, you’re hereby inducted into the brain trust!
LOL
I own a shiba, have been a teacher for 14years, am getting a doctorate in learning and instruction…oh, am also legally blind and teaching Hidea to be my guide dog. Let me know if I can help!
Hi Lara!! I hope you’ll join our mailing list (http://tinyurl.com/jandsemail) and help us work through the planning process. I’m looking forward to getting to know you!
do i gets to be chief executive dog?? or maybe Director of Goodies (DoG, get it)??
Director of Goodies (and fund raising for Goodies too).
I think you should be “DOG” Snick…that’s perfect for you!
I think you should be “DOG” Snick…that’s perfect for you!
Taproot ( you might have to google) provides pro bono services like marketing and project management. You might want to keep their info handy when you need am extra (free) pair of hands. Of course I’ll help out too but my forte is kitty related
Be sure you are familiar with Common Core State Standards, if you need a briefing, let’s have lunch.
Jane (aka my favorite educator), I would LOVE to have lunch. My next 2 1/2 weeks are insane, but after that, name the day!
I know next to nothing about how to start something like this but as it is educational it very well could qualify for some state and national grant money if appropriately approached. I have seen all sorts of groups getting grant money for “studies” etc (many that I didn’t agree with & wished the money could go elsewhere –but that’s another story)… I would think there’s a way!!
I’m sure you could find a volunteer grant writer!