Everglades Outpost Inc.

EVERGLADES OUTPOST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

2005

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The goal of Outpost is to provide the animals here with the best lives they can have. Being a non-profit organization, Outpost inevitably relies heavily on the work of volunteers. This program is written to establish a fair and solid system that allows the financial & labor responsibilities being shared by all those who care about the animals and desire to help. Since the establishment of Outpost, Bob and Barbara have been carrying the entire burden. It is neither fair nor realistic in the long run. If we are to become a viable refuge and sanctuary we will need a system that allows the responsibilities be shared by all and being able to be passed from generation to generation of volunteers.

The emphasis of this program is fairness and accountability. Fairness means those who works the hardest will get the most interaction with animals and be entrusted with most responsibilities. Accountability means each person is responsible for a specific cage(s) and the animals living there. Frequent failure to complete the tasks will lead to the removal or re-assignment.

We will have two types volunteers. Those who can commit at least 1 hour of on-site work per week will be called “VOLUNTEERS”. Those who cannot commit to at least 1 hour of on-site work per week but will be able to make contributions in other ways are will be called “SPONSORS”.

VOLUNTEERS:

• Commit to at least 1 hour of on-site work per week
• Will be assigned a cage after consistently showing up for 1 month

VOLUNTEERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Keep vines off the fence
• Keep up on the mulch/grass/dirt inside the habitat and the area around it
• Empty/clean excrement from the cage or buckets.
• Make sure your cage is treated with Seven-Dust on a monthly basis
• Make sure the animals are treated with Advantage or Frontline when applicable
• Do at least one 15 minute observation per week. Writing down animals behaviors, if there is any cuts, bruises, infections, and if which part of the body bugs are congregating.
• Do at least one enrichment per month. This can be as simple as new mulch or a new perch for bird or something more extravagant like a bubble machine that shoots catnip bubbles into tiger cage at 5-minute intervals. You can find ideas on-line, on magazine, visiting zoos, or Tim has a couple of enrichment CD’s in the kitchen. Each new enrichment needs to be approved by Tim, JD, or Bob before being implemented to ensure your safety and animal’s safety
• Work on ideas to improve animal’s living condition. Here are a few samples: plant grass/plant citronella to keep bugs away/add more shade to the cage/install a solar fan to keep bugs away.
• Keep record of aforementioned.
• Work with Sponsor on projects to raise fund to improve the cages.

SPONSOR:

• Cannot commit to at least 1 hour of on-site work per week but can make contribution in other fashions.
• Will be assigned a cage after actively participating in works for more than 1 month.

SPONSOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in events at least once a month, i.e. Bake sale, attend festivals on hehalf of Outpost; Open House; Lead a school tour, etc.
• Work with Volunteer on fund-raising projects for assigned cage(s).
• On-line research of enrichment program and educational material for the inhabitant of the assigned cage(s).
• PR Campaign – marketing material, making phone calls, contact newspapers, etc.
• Make financial contribution
• In any other way that you can provide assistance.

Those who excel or have more to give will be made management, staff, or trainers. The more responsibility one can handle the more our system will provide. This is to ensure that the best people rise to the top in this environment.

Everglades Outpost is deeply grateful to all the people who have made contributions in the past and present. We would like to provide the most fulfillment to all those who are working to improve the well-being of our animal friends here. This system is designed to achieve that goal and shall be ever-evolving. Please feel free to email Tim for any suggestions or comments.

Contact Tim 

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