What's on your mind? It's POND, POND, POND!
So, what's on your mind? It's a new year, are you going to take any rehab courses? Are you full of vim and vigah for the upcoming season?
This is the quiet time at the SBWCN, what're your predictions for the future? When do the first babies come in?
Message from Julia Parker, 1/17 at 5:16pm, 1/26/2006 12:18 PM
Message from June Taylor, 1/19 at 12:13pm
Comments posted also from: gulled in sb, sharon, the rainmaker, brat, betsy, amy, sbeak, sharon, sbeak, gulled..., sharon, betsy, e. mtn drive charis, sharon, gulled..., sharon, ...charis, betsy, a mammal, catlyn, betsy, firth, brat, sbeak, ...charis, accompanied by a mischief of anonymice.
To see what people are saying, click COMMENTS and scroll to the bottom to see the most recent posts.
posted by citizenRB @ 1/13/2006 07:06:00 PM
44 comments
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44 Comments:
What's on my mind is that e-mail that went out yesterday, forwarded to me, from Julia Parker about the pond closure.
It's a letter from Fiona to Julia - I wonder who it went to!
It is confusing - it says temporary but in the last paragraph she, Fiona, writes about a meeting a month from now to discuss information/updates - and to honor June. (with a gold watch?)
From what I understand the closure is temp, until they can clean the water and keep it clean. This was VERY HARD on June, as it would be for any of us to lose the little ones we work so hard to save, make better and release! The Animal Affairs Committee meets every month. What June does for the Sea Bird, day in and day out, a watch wouldn't be enough! But I'm sure if she could get all the birds back, that would be!!!
A blog that's great.. I havn't been there in awhile but, don't forget I am still around, and will still do rescues down here in carp..
don
So now the seabirds are being shipped out of town, and yet another longtime priceless volunteer is being shunned by management. The network has managed to alienate almost all of the people who make up the backbone of the network, including its founders. "Management's" philosophy seems more akin to TimeWarner than to Gandhi. The animals are going to suffer if all of the knowledgeable, dedicated long-term rehabbers are driven away. It seems to me that a Rasputin mentality has co-opted the Network.
I hesitate on what to write about this. I was shocked to get that e-mail yesterday. I called June to verify it - and, yes, pond shut down, food, supplies, etc all to be transferred to the Center. Notice posted on her gate (as though her home were quarantined!)
In addition, every injured/oiled seabird is to go to the Center where it will be transferred either to San Pedro (IBRRC) or CARE for euthanasia, probably. Putting aside the space/conditions questions, I couldn’t help but wonder where the Center would get volunteers for seabird care and volunteers for the 200 plus mile RT transport.
Yes, the e-mail said “temporary” but no indication of what that means, except an update a month from now at a meeting.
This HAS been a serious situation, devastating and heartbreaking for all of us involved. Bill and Sheila, pond volunteers for more than 8 years and on the Board of the SB parrot sanctuary, and I, a volunteer at the pond for almost 6 years, with a pelican info web site (which I’ll ask to be listed here) have been working hard on this, consulting with Dr. Sellers about what to do. And we have done it. (Other volunteers have also been helping at the pond and June — forgive that I don’t give personal credit to all.)
That has been draining, scraping (believe me, a horrible health-risking job) the pond, measuring and so forth, pouring in clorox - approximately 75 gallons, running that through the system for 4 days, draining the pond, filling it with fresh water on Wednesday, preparatory to testing it with swabs on Monday to see if there is any residual noxious bacteria. If any is found on the swabs that Bill will do and deliver immediately to Cat and Bird, then the whole clorox process will have to be repeated.
In the meantime, June and we have been puzzling over how to prevent this in the future, as well as guessing at what caused it. The bacteria came from mammals, tracked in from the outside, probably. The e-coli that also devastated the pelicans the prior year, probably came from the ducks, domestic ducks as well as a few wild ones that would come in the single gateway. (There were many wild ducks prior to the netting.) Ducks are notorious for being carriers, as those who follow the Avian Flu situation know too well.
We’ve come up with a design for a double gate at the entrance, with a clorox pan (gravel and clorox) for volunteers to step on on going in. This will be similar to what is used at Sea World, for instance.
Bill has also designed a separate enclosure for the ducks that people have brought to June (few of these creatures are those she’s chosen for herself! People seem to think that any bird that spends any amount of time in any kind of water should go to the seabird pond and they are directed to June’s. Good-hearted that she is, what is she to do!)
There’s a certainty that ducks and pelicans don’t mix - and that was an error that the SBWCN allowed to continue for years. That situation is being corrected - in fact, has been corrected. And as for the pond, we’re hopeful about the water and this week, a full day’s work for two of us, probably, will rake and spray all the gravel and rocks in the pond area at the recommended proportion of 3/4 cup of clorox to a gallon of water.
Assuming (and one never knows, of course, until one knows) good test results at the end of the week, everything should be ready to go back into operation next weekend.
There was no reason to shut down all seabirds from going to June’s. The pond has been out of commission for a couple of weeks now. She has a number of other facilities, tubs, etc. she has been using for other birds that come in - it’s not the season for pelican arrivals.
I won’t go into how the message was conveyed. It’s obvious to all who read it there was little consideration of the humans involved in this and no sensitivity to June to send out that e-mail who knows where.
The damage is done - this has been a heckuva month, going back to mid-December, culminating in yesterday’s e-mail. Let’s hope we can move forward constructively, at the very least with an apology of equal spread to June ... and, hey, why not!, to those of us who have been working on this situation for weeks.
Sorry for such a long post. It seemed important to give the rest of the story, as Paul Harvey used to say. There are suspicions about that there are other motivating reasons, but the above is what I know to have been the situation.
Dear Ms. Fiona Day and fellow Board Members,
I have been a volunteer at the Seabird pond for the past 2 years. I received the e-mail about the closure of the pond with a heavy heart. I have been at June's house throughout these past few weeks, assisting when I can, with the cleaning process.
While I think what happened was the most unfortunate of events, it was also not preventable or foreseeable. And as a volunteer at the pond, I can testify that all of us do all we can to keep things clean and in tip top working shape. Sometimes nature comes along and deals us a blow . Nature, if you watch her, is not always kind. And nature is who WCN is to be supporting. Yet, June has remained strong during all this, not become discouraged by what has happened, rather moving her energy towards getting the pond back in working order and setting up precautions for the future.
If you truly want to honor June Taylor, then I would suggest supporting her during this trying time versus shutting down her pond for an undisclosed period. This action does not consider the feeling of the volunteers who support the pond. And most of all, it does not consider that June's loss was the greatest, as she had daily (24 hrs a day) contact with the pelicans who died.
There are many volunteers, myself included, who have a great deal of heart invested in their position and responsibilities at the Seabird Pond. We have given pieces of ourselves towards the goals and aspirations of WCN. In return I ask you to consider our feelings, for in my view they are as important.
I hope that the intentions of WCN, with regard to the Seabird Pond, be made clear to us. As in all appearances, WCN had unjustly revoked June Taylor's role. Most importantly, I hope that the WCN decision makers grant equal consideration towards the well being of the seabirds, as well as the people who care a great deal about being at June's pond.
Sincerely,
Amy Vukovic
Volunteer
The situation with the pond, the unknown status of a permanent home for all operations, it's all VERY depressing. I am using what positive energy I have, but it's getting more difficult every day to believe that the network is headed in a good direction.
I agree, it is discouraging, but the County just, 1/10, gave the SBWCN $120,000 (with an additional $30,000 scheduled for 2007) on a Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund grant. This was asked for and is to build a seabird pond at the Fairview property so maybe something will happen.
But in the meantime, they should apologize and put the pond back in business when it gets a clean water report.
imho
Hmm...this is a strange, but very useful medium to voice opinions. I first want to thank the two individuals who set up this blog. I am fairly new to rehabbing (and blogging), but even I have recognized a strange shift in philosophy over the last year at the SBWCN. I can speculate on the reasons and offer strong thoughts, but I feel most compelled on this first blogging experience to say to June that I and likely everyone else on this blog supports you and appreciates your kindness, talents and dedication. I hope that those of us who are new to rehabbing will search out long time rehabbers like June and treasure them for what they have given to our community. I for one listen only to their wisdom--there is knowing from books and then knowing from experience. Without the vast experience of these senior (in knowledge) rehabbers we would be lost. Let's fight for there permanence as the true leaders of this organization!
I think that is a meaningful comment. It has seemed to me too that the WCN has lost its soul or a substantial part of it.
As for June and the pond, I can't believe they'll keep it closed down and deal with seabirds downtown where from what I have seen at Garden Street they have no one who has worked with seabirds.
Sad, but all's not lost. ...Not yet!
Hi. this is Sharon. Having trouble logging in!
Yes the center has undergone a lot of changes. The weather under goes changes. We as rehabbers have to go with the flow and fight for our “species of choice”.
Can any of you help on the capitol committee? Can you build (or make room for) cages at home to help incase we do get ousted out of Garden? Do you know of anyone that could donate a house for a while?
We need to be pro-active and using our energy and thoughts to help and get over this hurdle, not make it a wailing wall.
OK to what Sharon said. Please update us on specifics as they become available. I am looking into building a songbird aviary big enough for flight training, etc, but I am worried about investing in something that will be dictated to by a committee who has never done that kind of work before. I am sure that all of us invest our hearts into the animals we painstakingly prepare for release. I do not want what happened to June to happen to me. I am certain 'the management' as they seem to be called on this blog had their reasons, but before I consider spending time and money on being 100% there to assist the Center, I need some assurances that fairness and responsible leadership (something that I KNOW 'the management' is more than capable of using) will dominate the focus of this organization. In a city where the environmental movement began we should expect nothing less than an above average rehab center with an above average unified philosophy. Personally, I think a good way to unite this blog and give us a bit more say in these matters is to raise money collectively to support the Center and its efforts--sadly money talks more than experience. They need money desperately and that need is making really good people do foolish things.
Interesting points, but I surely don't think the changes that we've seen in the SBWCN over the last year or so can be equated to changes in the weather!!!
Unless... (human-caused) global waming, perhaps, killing off certain species...?
I think it would be good to have a section on what was and what is and what one would like the Network to be. please do that. Lots of important questions and issues deserving of discussion.
I can state 100% that the ONLY reason June was shut down was because of the bacteria!!! The test will be done soon and hopefully June will be up and running again. Like was stated up front...it's a TEMPORARY CLOSURE because of what ever got into the water and killed the birds.
Julia is trying to get on this blog and keep us posted. Her talents are more toward animals and less toward computers, so she will be e-mailing someone and they will be posting the updates!
Pond update:
Bill and I were there today taking samples for Dr. Sellers. He took 5 swab samples from various places within the pond and the filter - and I brought them to Cat and Bird. (We did not want to take a chance that there would be no pickup yesterday.)
June told me that Julia called her and at least part of that stern January 13 letter to her from Fiona on behalf of the Executive Committee has been rescinded. She may receive pelagic birds for care.
Bill will be helping her tomorrow (I may, too, depending on how long a meeting lasts) on the duck enclosures. Then, we expect to get to work on the gravel and our suggested entrance foot bath, perhaps using Virkon, such as is suggested at this site, recommending Virkon or plain household bleach, clorox, at the rate we'll be spraying the gravel. www.birdsnways.com/newcastle/endtrans.htm
Foot dips were common, btw, during the recent Newcastle threat here.
As for Sharon's suggestions, it would be nice if someone would volunteer a house, but there is one on the Fairview prop.Perhaps instead of tearing it down, if they're going to do that, they could move it and use it temporarily.
As for volunteering for the capital campaign, indeed, if one has those valuable skills, one undoubtedly would be very welcome. I don't; the only fund-raising skills I have somewhat are grant writing and I did that for the SBWCN (both paid and volunteer, bringing in some $) until they said they didn't want my help. Fine! There are undoubtedly others better at it - more power to them. Not everyone is capable, let alone interested in raising money. No more than some who are good/interested in raising money are willing to do hands-on wildlife care work.
(This was sent to Amy Vukovic, Sharon O'Reilly, Betsy Cramer and to the SBWCN Excecutive Commmittee, Firth Wilkinson, Diane Cannon, Joanne St. John, Fiona Day. Julia Parker had problems signing on; I offered to post it for her - she accepted the offer. —Betsy)
Hello, To all volunteers or interested persons. I am addressing some of the pond concerns I read on the blog. Forgive me for not responding on the blog forum but I was unable to log on. I received news of the bacterial infection in the seabird pond at June's on January 9th. June informed me that four of the five pelican had died and that the gulls had been the victims of a predator attack. The pond has been closed since mid December. June and the pond volunteers have been working on disinfecting the pond and the surrounding areas and consulting with Dr. Sellers regarding water quality test results. I am working with June to set up some new protocols for care including using foot baths when entering and exiting animal enclosures. These are important procedures that limit cross contamination in animal care facilities.
I know the absence of the pelicans is devastating to all who worked with them. It is especially difficult for June. I visited the pond on the 13th and SBWCN made the pond closure formal to comply with the requirements of our permits with the Federal Fish and Wildlife and California Fish and Game. The closure is in no way intended to hurt anyone, it is intended to provide healthful care for animals as well as a clean environment for those caring for them.June and I are in communication regarding any pelagic birds that need care on a case by case basis. At this time there are no seabirds at the pond. Volunteers are always needed, those who have gained experience at June's are needed where ever there are birds in need of care as part of the SBWCN team. No one can dispute that June should be thanked for her tremendously dedicated efforts in seabird rehabilitation. If anyone has questions I have not addressed please contact me by phone or e-mail .
Thank you for caring!
Julia Parker
Director of Animal Affairs
Julia Parker (via Betsy) said...
---
"I know the absence of the pelicans is devastating to all who worked with them. It is especially difficult for June."
:::choke::: The plan to send all 5 of the pelicans to a Los Angeles zoo was a shock. If that had happened, many of us who have cared for those creatures for years would have been as devastated as we are now by the misfortune of their deaths from whatever.
Tell us it wasn't, it isn't all about money! :::sniffle:::
Thanks for all the good posts, guys! We've decided to keep this thread running a bit longer, until the pond situation gets resolved, until the test results come in clean - or don't.
Issues rising here for later discussion - just some of them:
1. money, money, money --- what's needed, how to get it and what are the requirements to be on the capital campaign committee?
2. state regs - Julia stated (and thank you for posting, Julia!, Fish and Wildlife and Fish and Game requirements - where in the state laws are the sections relating to wildlife, seabird keeping? Or other bird keeping - Sbeak, for instance, wrote about an at-home aviary for songbirds; wouldn't that (and any at home keeping of protected wild birds/animals) be prohibited by the same regs? and the SBWCN and its DoAA and Board in conjunction with these regs? How far is the SBWCN going to go in this policing direction?
3. Past and present - a history of the SBWCN would be really interesting and helpful for the present- does one exist? Maybe we can get a discussion going in this direction.
4. Fairview - what is the status, what will happen to that house there, can it be moved to the back of the property while work goes on so we don't have to continue to pay rent at Garden Street?
5. Zoos - was it REALLY true the SBWCN pelicans were going to a zoo? We had heard that more than a month ago, third-hand from a Board member, but, couldn't believe it, surely, not!!! --- even if cost was the reason (and what other before there were health problems), there should be consideration given that a lot of people have donated on the basis of those pelicans not to mention the fairness to the pelicans themselves. I was at a volunteers party at June's 3-4 years ago when a WCN donor gave $$$, $5,000, I heard, so an injured pelican that arrived during the party would not be euthanized. He's given more $ since. Maybe that pelican was one of the 5?
What are the policies? - who makes all these decisions --- the decision-making here by "management" seems very corporate.
stay tuned, friends, stay tuned!
Have you guys been out to the Fairview property? There is no way that house could be moved.
There is litature at the center that tells the history of the SBWCN and the different PondS that we have had.
The next capitol committee meeting is at 12:00 at the property on the 26th. Everyone is welcomed!!! the more people we have helping, the more money we can raise so we can move in.
The Fish & Game makes up the rules. If we don't follow them, the center will be shut down and all the little animals and birds will be on their own. It was my understanding that the aviary was for rehab. Our job is to rehab the little critters and then SET THEM FREE. They are will and should stay wild, unless un-releasable. then that is a different F&G rule.
You guys are coming up with some good questions! I'm just a volunteer, but I hope I can help!
What's a pelagic bird? Does it include my namesake? ;) There's no listing in Sibley of pelagic.
It would be nice if the Executive Committee could come clean and state precisely what they intend to do with the pond.
By not having the courtesy of discussing their future plans with June who is/was the Satellite leader, well before issuing their formal letter, their secretive actions lead to speculations and rumour where assumptions are made and more illwill generated.
Sharon writes as though she is officially representing the Network. Is this so?
The next "capitol committee meeting" [does this mean "capital campaign meeting"?] is due to be on the 26th - which month?
In the posting from e. mt drive charis he/she asks "where in the state laws are the sections relating to wildlife, seabird keeping" ? Can you, Sharon, be more specific and direct us to those sections?
Sorry, "Gulled" - although some species of gulls are included - (which are you?)
From: http://www.birdingamerica.com/California/pelagic/pelagic.htm
"Pelagic birds spend most of their lives on the wing, gliding and soaring over the seas, and they generally nest on remote oceanic islands. So, to get a look, you've got to get out past the coastal waters, into the open ocean. There, you find those great crossword puzzle birds -- jaegers, skuas, fulmars, shearwaters and petrels. And the albatross, the gooney bird. These are the birds that inhabit those early pages of your field guide, right after the loons and grebes."
Doesn't sound as though June is being allowed (!) to take in many birds at all!!!!!!!!!
No official type person here...like I stated, I'm just a volunteer like you guys. I just read alot and have gotten involed in SBWCN. I didn't know the tests were back yet on the Pond. Julia stated and so did others that we were waiting for the tests to come back to know if the Pond is clean enought to hold birds again. And if not now, when. Anonoymous, how do you know that the center isn't talking to June? Have you called Julia like she suggested and asked her? Sorry I meant to say capital campaign meeting and it is meeting 1/26.Any of your guys going down to the NWRA seminary in March? Is this going to be a wildlige blog or just a Pond blog? Here's hopeing tomorrow brings good news!!!
Fair question, Sharon. This will be a wildlife blog. As noted, I am letting this thread run through the weekend, probably, or until June gets the water test results back. From what I've seen of other blogs, when there are a series of initial posts - and comments following - it gets hard to follow the thread or even find the thread.
This blogging is a learning experience for me and I am trying to figure out how to have it organized so specifics can be found.
As described in the Welcome, we intend to have a variety of topics relating to wildlife care, including instructions, links to other rehab places and so on. We've listed the site on a blog directory, it takes a while to get found, so, hopefully, other rehabbers will join in the conversations.
But now: I did not anticipate the pond being shut down. To have the major Satellite (for 8 or so years) shut down and then to operate only by permission, essentially, on a "case by case" basis, is a major change in SBWCN operation and policies. There is a lot of interest and concern out here in the non-management land - and not just from the pond volunteers, all of whom, probably, are deeply saddened by the turn of events.
And other issues:
— Were those pelicans going to a zoo, as stated here? and, if so, why when the pond had been their home for years - and they had been an attraction for donors for years?
— And if most seabirds are to be transported to San Pedro by the Center personnel, then one wonders why or whether there'll be a seabird pond at all? Most of us have donated money as well as time to what we thought was a "network" of shared concerns....
Until questions are answered - and that probably won't be until the water test comes in, we here will be watching - and anyone is encouraged to post comments, questions, ideas ... with the hope that there will be answers.
Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest or concern over the events at the Seabird Pond.
It seems very strange here without the Pelicans. There have always been Pelicans here since the pond’s inception, 8+ years ago. (2 non-releasables came from the original pond.)
Just prior to their illness and death, I was informed that they were to be sent to the L.A. Zoo. They had been here for 2 to 5 years; now they would be taken away. We would surely miss them. My volunteers would be very sad. I dreaded telling them. I knew that I would lose some of them.
I don’t believe Fish & Game would give us any flack. They never had before. I think most of that decision was made because of the expense of feeding them.
I felt the decision to close me down was made hastily, without any prior discussion with me.
When Julia and 1 Board member came over, I was told that they were closing down the pond temporarily (so they said) and taking any seabirds that were here. I was presented with a letter from the Executive Committee. A laminated sign was put on my fence saying to take any birds to the Center or CARE (where they could sit for hours until looked at.)
I was shocked!
This all seemed so unnecessary. The oiled and sick birds are never put into the pond water. They are kept inside at night or in outdoor netted enclosures or caged pens during the day if it is warm enough.
The gulls there were killed by a raccoon were non-releasables because of bad wings and were outside temporarily while the pond was being treated. Many of those gulls were also to go to the zoo.
Oiled grebes and loons usually go to San Pedro because of their delicate condition. First, I get them stabilized and keep them until I can arrange for transport. Since I have the most experience in doing this, I felt it unnecessary to send them to the Center for questionable care.
The day after, I had permission at my request to take birds on a “case to case” basis.
Results from water testing should be back by Monday. Keep your fingers crossed!
It's hard to know what to say about such coldness as was shown by the 'management' of the WCN. Coldness to those pelicans to plan to remove them to a zoo from the home some of them knew for close to 5 years; coldness to the volunteers who've known and cared for those birds for years and years; and extreme coldness towards June....
No doubt but that the WCN intends to be a rehabilitation facility, not a sanctuary - but for years it WAS a sanctuary for some unreleasables, at June's. Potential donors were trooped in to see those fine creatures. It should not be surprising that we volunteers have cared deeply for those birds.
That they died was very, very sad. For days I was haunted by images of those pelicans. I still am.
That the plans were to move them to an LA zoo, no matter what the conditions might be there, without any consultation with the volunteers, genuine consultation of differing ideas, wishes, even values shocks and disillusions that the Board gives a d... for the feelings of the volunteers. June, of course, is also a volunteer, who's given thousands of hours AND dollars, too, to the SBWCN.
Amy said it best above, although perhaps too optimistically: "Most importantly, I hope that the WCN decision makers grant equal consideration towards the well being of the seabirds, as well as the people who care a great deal about being at June's pond."
I could add only a couple of words, shame!, what a shame!
Friends,
What a draconian decision to shut down the pond —except on a "case to case" basis — because of the sickness and raccoon attack. That's how it seems to this reader on reading June's letter.
How about revisiting, resconsidering, rescinding these policies of management control that affect ALL the satellites. I bet it's not just the seabird pond in the sights.
When the Fairview property is built and everything centralized, that's the time, IF there's a time, for top-down management. Two of the Board members, Diane Cannon and Pat Carter, are trained, hands-on rehabbers; they must know of the importance of satellite and skilled rehabber autonomy; they must know, too, the value of the pond to the Network. Let's hear from them, let's see them stand up!
Draconian:
Draconian \Dra*co"ni*an\, a.
Pertaining to Draco, a famous lawgiver of Athens, 621 b. c.
Used especially in the phrase {Draconian punishment}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
{Draconian code}, or {Draconian laws}, a code of laws made by Draco. Their measures were so severe that they were said to be written in letters of blood; hence, any laws of excessive rigor.
{Draconian punishment}, punishment so severe as to seem excessive for the crime being punished.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
A mammal person myself, I wonder what has become of the caring network we loved?!
It's easy - just respect and follow our own Mission Statement, the non-profit organizations of WHY it exists.
The SBWCN says its mission includes:
5. maintaining a climate of openness, respect, and cooperation within our organization and in all of our outreach efforts.
http://www.sbwcn.org/mission.shtml
The sorrow I feel after finding out today (I did not get any email) that the Pond has been closed can not be measured in any words that I can say. This just is not right and is so unfair to June and all of us who have loved and helped care for all the birds over the years, let alone the birds themselves.
I sincerely hope that once the water comes back clean and all the precautions are put into place to keep this from happening again, the WCN will allow the Pond to operate again.
Feeling the tears coming,
Catlyn
Amy Vukovic says –
This is interesting dialogue, and important. What has happened to the pond had affected many of us. Perhaps being able to discuss this, as we are, getting angry about it , as we are, can assist in re-directing the intentions of WNC BACK towards the genuine well being of the animals and people involved. Giving the permanently disabled a place to live out their lives is as important as assisting the injured.
The volunteers hold a lot of power, without us there would be no WCN. So lets continue voicing what we think is fair and important and demanding the original core values of the network remain intact.
Money should not be allowed to preside over issues of the heart.
The zoo…what an OUTRAGE!
update as of 1/24:
No word yet as to the water test results, but, yesterday, I sprayed half the pond area gravel with a clorox solution (3/4 cup to 1 gallon water), raking and then respraying, following the instructions of Dr. Sellers.
The other half of the pond area waits for the exterior duck pen to be constructed and the ducks moved out of the entry gate area. And the entry way to be constructed with a disinfectant pan for shoes.
There has been mention of a Capital Campaign meeting tomorrow 1-26 at the property. This is a Development Committee meeting for the Wildlife Sanctuary Awards only.
Firth
It has been published here that a Capital Campaign is scheduled for tomorrow 1-26 at the Property at Noon. It is not. It is a Wildlife Sanctuary Awards Meeting.
Firth
Raising money is not going to help anything. Eliminating the paid deadwood might. The network (no longer a network, but an institution (in more ways than one :o , has far more money today than ever before. The question is, what is it being spent on? Management! Bad management! The network worked for years without a building or any staff. It was always my belief that the personal contact between the volunteers and rehabbers strenthened the commitment to the animals and enhanced the information flow. Now the network owns a huge property, and a house, and barn, has paid management, and NOTHING'S BEING ACCOMPLISHED! It's the classic story of a grassroots organization getting too big for its britches, becoming topheavy with management, and soon it will capsize (unless the sailors mutiny).
Here's an example of bureaucracy at work: We're told that we should come down to the center and pick up copies of Cal F$G's latest regulatory gobbledygook!
What's the point in having paid staff, computers, an office, etc??
Someone needs to flap a bladder against Management's heads (see Gulliver for details), and shout in their ear: "Rehabbers and Volunteers are busy caring for animals - you know, those noisy, smelly, moving objects you keep in the back. Some of those people are spending all their spare time and money on the critters. They're NOT going to come down and pick up some paperwork. But I guess we can blame them, the undisciplined rabble, if they don't."
Wow, I totally agree with something which was stated earlier: TOP HEAVY. We have a piece of land, we have a couple of useless buildings which will have to be torn down eventually, and we have paid staff pushing paper......and morale at the network is at an all time low. Yes, progress is being made, in the WRONG direction. Why is it only the little people (who actually DO the work the institution exists for) can see how sad things have become?
To all concerned SBWCN volunteer rehabbers in response to your questions regarding the oversight of wildlife rehabilitation at SBWCN. The California Department of Fish and Game's Wildlife Habilitation Coordinator, Nicole Carion, is in the process of reorganizing the oversight of the Wildlife Rehabilitation program within the Department. A Memorandum of Understanding was sent to all permitted rehabilitation organizations. Several changes are included that reflect an attempt for consistency and streamline necessary for both the Department of Fish and Game and for the rehabilitate. They are underlined. It is important for all SBWCN volunteers, including satellites to read, understand and comply with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which is our permit. Copies are available at the Center at 819 Garden. Please feel free to come by and pick one up.
Thank you for your concern.
Julia Parker, SBWCN- Director of Animal Affairs
(Julia added, "For the time being copies of the Memorandum of Understanding can be picked up here, at the Center, the 10 page document should be read in full." _Betsy)
The “top heavy” conversation thread reminds me of a theory on leadership: ’the sign of a great leader is shown best when the leader of that organization leaves and the organization continues to run smoothly.’ That comes (paraphrased) from a book called "Good to Great" (a strange, but very interesting business book I was given years ago) and I bore you with it now because I believe that the problems grassroots organizations face when transitioning to 'institutionalized' organizations stems from leadership that is not trained (or maybe even willing) to delegate effectively. Having worked and volunteered in the nonprofit world most of my life, I have learned the definition of micromanagement all too well. Important decisions are being made with an abundance of control because that is the style of management that sadly dominates most (but not all) small nonprofits. Now visit a wonderful nonprofit like Direct Relief and you will meet a CEO/Director who is a perfect example (from what I have seen) of a "Great Leader." He delegates jobs with confidence, but stands firmly guarding that organization's mission. He genuinely seems as willing to greet and honor a $20 donor as much as a $20,000 donor. It is a difficult skill being a 'Great Leader.' I wish that ‘management’ would visit other local organizations (and their Boards) that have made the painful transition to understand more from their shared stories of the dos and don’ts of making this shift.
EVERYONE that I have met during the last year of volunteering for SBWCN are wonderful, well-intentioned beings, but we all (including the ‘leaders’) bring our own opinions (baggage even) into this transition stage. Still…and this is where we are having problems…the job of a LEADER is to strive for GREAT and although I believe ‘the management’ is very capable (as we all are) of doing this, I just don’t see anyone stepping up to the plate to unite this group and solve the greater issue of graciously and humbly managing those of us who actual do the work of the Center. Perhaps (thanks to those two who started this blog) the uniting is up to us.
So here is my pitch: I think the first step for us is to expect (demand with kindness, respect and letters) that those in control of SBWCN to begin to visibly delegate important parts and decisions of the organization to others who are willing to step up to the task—and to trust that they will do the job because they have been made fully accountable for it. Remembering the Network part of SBWCN by assigning important parts of management duties to others in the same way that certain types of animals are assigned to rehabbers specializing in their care. Share information, delegate important jobs and then trust people through accountability to do the job—that seems like a good motto to fix the image of ‘management.’
Again, I must say to the two that began this Blog “Thank you.” I do not like the occasional bickering nature of these conversation mediums, but the opportunity to freely open up a forum to begin renewing this wonderful organization pleases me greatly—I was ready to step away and find another nonprofit to volunteer for, but I feel that things might begin to improve…and just in time for the baby season. I am not able to visit this blog often (which is good because I do ramble), but I will try to do so at least once a week to read your important thoughts—I cannot wait until we begin sharing detailed wildlife information too. It would be wonderful to have a running log of wildlife data along with this important sharing of opinions section too.
Wow! What interesting (and kind) words. sbeak challenges us all - can we rise to that challenge?
I hope so, both for ourselves AND, especially, for the animals, the wild, the injured, we all care for.
There'll be a new leading post tomorrow, putting a new spin on TGIF. Perhaps it will draw on the concept of leadership and what needs to be done, to bring back, to take back, to unite ourselves. Or perhaps it will be something different.
We'll sleep on it. See you tomorrow (OK, it's you who'll see us tomorrow in your mailbox, on your web browser, in your thoughts.) Ain't that something to look forward to!
Anyone going to the national wildlife rehabers convention in March down in Costa Mesa?????? let me know!
sharon
critters93111@aol.com
Are there any opossum people on this list. If so, please write me at critters93111@aol.com
Thanks, Sharon
My goodness, this blog is quite!! Cindy Grossman got a job...the bad news is that it's in Montana! If any of you would like to go to a farwell party for her, let me know. It wil be on Wed the 8th 6:00 at Pepe's in Goleta.
contact me at critters93111@aol.com
Hey gang..the party has been move to Friday the 3rd at Nancy Callahan's!
let us know if you need directions
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