Reference no: EM133248342
The executive director of the Oakview Humane Society, Jordan Webster, sometimes wishes he could fire his volunteers. The society has few paid workers and depends on volunteers to handle the day-to-day activities of the shelter.
Lucy is a full-time mother of two toddlers who does volunteer work for the society. She is organized and energetic. Her people skills help maintain positive relationships with local veterinary clinics, which treat the society's resident animals. Lucy spends much of her day running society errands, answering phone calls, and arranging foster homes for animals in need, all while refereeing her two children.
Alice is a 30-something entrepreneur who owns and manages a dinner theater with her husband. She has no children, just three dogs. The theater is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Because of this schedule, she has considerable flexibility and uses her free time to care for animals at the shelter. Alice is also the society adoption coordinator, doing an excellent job of matching pets with prospective adopters. Her manner is a little blunt, and people frequently complain that she is "bossy." Her e-mails to society officers and volunteers are frequently one-line commands to do something.
The two women are jokingly referred to as the "alpha females" because each is strong-willed and outspoken. Unfortunately, they frequently clash over issues, resulting in daily phone calls and e-mails to the director and other society officers. Alice complains that Lucy does not spend enough time at the shelter doing the "dirty work," cleaning pens and changing water. Alice has frequently commented on Lucy's carefree life without a job. Lucy complains that Alice is rude and insensitive and observes that Alice has an easy life with lots of money and free time.
Today Webster ran into Alice at the restaurant. She was furious because Lucy had accepted a stray dog to the society when the pens were already full. "Lucy doesn't help take care of the animals she accepts. She doesn't understand our limitations." Alice has offered to resign for the good of the society.
Webster just got off the phone with Lucy who is threatening to quit because she feels Alice insulted her in an e-mail.
Discussion questions
- How does managing volunteers differ from managing paid employees?
- What incentives can Webster use to motivate volunteers?
- What should the director do next, if anything?