pets for patriots volunteer opportunities 2011
about our volunteer opportunities ★
Not every individual will be able to fulfill all of the volunteer responsibilities for a specific opportunity; that’s okay! Our goal is to match you with what you do best and love most.
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By their nature, some volunteer opportunities are ongoing while others are onetime or intermittent. We’ll do our best to match your interests with your availability.
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As we grow our needs will change. If you don’t see an opportunity that interests you, contact us with your ideas... maybe you’d like to do something that we haven’t thought about yet!
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2011 PETS FOR PATRIOTS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SHELTER OUTReACH WHAT IT Recruit adoption partners in specific states/communities as directed by Pets for Patriots. IS: ★ Identify eligible adoption partners in locations assigned by Pets for Patriots. RESPONSIBILITIES: ★
Call, email and/or visit prospective shelters, rescues, humane societies and SPCAs to educate them about Pets for Patriots mission and free program for adoption partners.
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Answer questions prospective adoption partners might have about our program.
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As needed, guide prospective partners through the online application process and explain the eligibility documents required.
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Follow up as needed with key decision maker(s) at prospective adoption partners until they make a determination about joining our program.
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SHELTER OUTReACH QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Friendly, outgoing personality. Experience in sales desired, but not required.
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Good phone manner and strong verbal skills; comfortable making ‘cold’ or ‘warm’ calls.
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Regular access to your own computer with a reliable internet connection.
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Good computer skills, including familiarity with database management software and/or the aptitude to learn new technology.
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Good follow up, organization and attention to detail.
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Ability to handle prospects’ lack of response, delays or rejections professionally.
VETERINARian OUTReACH WHAT IT Recruit veterinary partners in specific states/communities as directed by Pets for Patriots. IS: ★ Identify eligible veterinary partners in locations assigned by Pets for Patriots. RESPONSIBILITIES: ★
Call, email and/or visit prospective veterinary practices, hospitals and clinics to educate them about Pets for Patriots mission and how it helps their business.
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Answer questions prospective veterinary partners might have about our program.
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As needed, guide prospective partners through the online application process.
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Follow up as needed with key decision maker(s) at prospective veterinary partners until they make a determination about joining our program.
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VETERINARY OUTReACH QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Friendly, outgoing personality. Experience in sales desired, but not required.
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Good phone manner and strong verbal skills; comfortable making ‘cold’ or ‘warm’ calls.
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Regular access to your own computer with a reliable internet connection.
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Good computer skills, including familiarity with database management software and/or the aptitude to learn new technology.
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Good follow up, organization and attention to detail.
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Ability to handle prospects’ lack of response, delays or rejections professionally.
marketing and public relations WHAT IT IS:
Assisting Pets for Patriots in developing and executing its marketing and PR strategies, as well as creating awareness around specific events or relevant local opportunities.
★ Work with executive director to develop and/or refine a Pets for Patriots marketing plan. RESPONSIBILITIES: ★ Help the organization to create a public awareness plan in communities where it has both adoption and veterinary partners. ★
Create relevant media contact lists for both general/community and event awareness.
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Assist in the tactical execution of public awareness plan, including writing/editing media alerts, press releases, sending press kits, media outreach, etc.
QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Research media outlets/resources in select markets.
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Previous marketing and/or public relations experience strongly desired.
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Excellent communications skills (written, verbal).
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Strong attention to detail and follow through.
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Available media relationships.
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Ability to create relevant relationships in new media markets.
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High ethical and professional standards.
WRITING AND EDITING WHAT IT IS:
Copywriting and/or editing on as-needed basis; some responsibilities great for youth volunteers. ★
Write and/or edit copy for various Pets for Patriots properties, including its website, educational/outreach materials, online advertising, presentations, event materials, email templates, blog and press releases. RESPONSIBILITIES: ★ Write and/or edit copy for one-off needs, e.g., invites, job descriptions, process manuals, etc.
QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills. Writing samples will be requested.
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Ability to develop copy consistent with Pets for Patriots’ brand/voice guidelines.
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Ability to work independently and meet mutually agreed deadlines.
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Ability to interview subjects and write their story, on as-needed basis.
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Must have regular access to your own computer and a reliable internet connection.
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Familiarity with and/or ability to learn to work with internet-based technologies, such as Google Apps and online project management programs.
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military and veteran OUTReACH WHAT IT Program awareness within military/veteran organizations in communities we serve. IS: ★ Identify relevant military/veteran organizations, channels, networks, events, etc. in communities in which we RESPONSIBILITIES: have both adoption and veterinary partners. ★
Educate contacts and coordinate dissemination of Pets for Patriots program information.
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Determine specific needs of these organizations that might help Pets for Patriots refine elements of its program, message and/or informational materials.
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Identify potential on-site or community opportunities, events, etc., where Pets for Patriots may consider inperson involvement.
QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Act as Pets for Patriots military liaison within community/region assigned to you.
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Direct military experience (veteran and/or civilian military employees).
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Good phone manner and strong verbal skills.
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Good follow up, organization and attention to detail.
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Resourcefulness; ability to ‘network’ connections to achieve specific outreach goals.
community OUTReACH WHAT IT Program awareness in communities we serve; great for youth volunteers. IS: ★ Identify relevant organizations, groups, events, etc. in communities we serve. RESPONSIBILITIES: ★
Help develop ideas for outreach, fundraising, awareness, etc. in your community
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Help organize local activities to bring attention to our mission.
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Act as a Pets for Patriots ambassador within your community to educate others and inspire them to support our cause.
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Identify potential on-site or community opportunities, events, etc., where Pets for Patriots may consider inperson involvement.
QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Passion for our cause.
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Community spirit.
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Good people skills.
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Creativity.
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Desire to bring positive change to your community.
administrative support WHAT IT Provide direct operational and administrative support to executive director. IS: ★ Help create, organize, improve and/or recommend specific processes or procedures to support executive RESPONSIBILITIES: director and the organization’s mission. ★
Research various goods, services or information that may be required by Pets for Patriots as part of its daily operations.
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Assist in the coordination of conference calls, travel and other organizational needs.
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Data entry.
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Other administrative needs as required and as appropriate to a given volunteer’s capabilities.
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Previous executive administrative experience strongly desired.
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High level of professionalism and ethical standards.
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Friendly and courteous.
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Good phone and editing/proofreading skills.
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Strong attention to detail and sensitivity to deadlines (when needed).
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Strong organizational skills.
EVENTS WHAT IT IS:
Pre-, post- and/or on-site event planning, coordination and support. These are occasional versus ongoing opportunities.
★ For Pets for Patriots hosted events, identify/coordinate details with appropriate venues, vendors, community RESPONSIBILITIES: groups, etc.; may include requests for donated goods or services. ★
For events hosted by others in which Pets for Patriots participates, pre-event research re: deadlines, requirements, key dates, etc., and coordination to help Pets for Patriots meet its event-related commitments.
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On-site event support (will vary by event type, scope, location), including pre-event setup and awareness, event support and post-event breakdown.
QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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High level of professionalism and ethical standards.
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Friendly, courteous and outgoing personality.
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Good phone and interpersonal skills.
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Strong attention to detail and sensitivity to deadlines (when needed).
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Previous volunteer and/or professional event experience desired, but not required.
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Ability to work well with others.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY WHAT IT IS:
Photography and/or videography for events, projects or community outreach; some responsibilities great for youth volunteers. These are occasional versus ongoing opportunities. ★
Provide photography, videography and/or editing of same for Pets for Patriots events, as well as for special, non-event projects. RESPONSIBILITIES: ★ Assist in the development and maintenance of Pets for Patriots YouTube channel. ★
Contribute ideas and expertise about how Pets for Patriots can leverage video as part of its education, outreach and social media campaigns.
QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Assignment photography and/or videography for community events and outreach.
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High level of professionalism and ethical standards.
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Strong attention to detail and sensitivity to deadlines (when needed).
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Creative, innovative and fun.
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Strong photo/video production and editing skills desired, but not required.
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Familiarity with various photo/editing channels and sites, including Flickr, YouTube, etc.
SOCIAL MEDIA WHAT IT Help Pets for Patriots build its social media presence and influence. IS: ★ Develop ideas for enhancing the impact of current social media channels, e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, RESPONSIBILITIES: YouTube. ★
Co-manage Pets for Patriots LinkedIn Group.
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Develop ideas for no-/low-cost ways to use social media to increase awareness and advocacy of Pets for Patriots, as well as to increase donations.
QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Suggest additional, relevant social media channels for the organization to consider.
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Suggest any relevant social and non-social tie-ins that will accomplish the above.
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Strong working knowledge of major social media platforms.
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Ability to think and solve problems creatively.
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Strong ethical standards.
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Ability to work independently when required.
internet research WHAT IT IS:
Internet research of both one-time and ongoing resources needed by the organization; great for youth volunteers.
★ Conduct both one-time and ongoing searches of publicly available sources, primarily internet, as requested RESPONSIBILITIES: by executive director and/or volunteer program coordinators. ★
Organize, prioritize and share search results with organization director and/or senior staff.
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Maintain ongoing searches, including Google news alerts, for resources that are needed on an ongoing basis.
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Review partner sites for if/where Pets for Patriots web ‘badges’ are displayed; work with volunteer program coordinator to establish ongoing review and reporting process for site/badge compliance.
QUALITIES WE SEEK:
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Good active and passive internet search skills.
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Familiarity with all major search engines required.
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Ability to organize and prioritize search results, information, resources.
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Enjoys internet search, including locating hard-to-find information/resources.
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Work well as part of a virtual team.
DID WE MISS ANYTHING? If you have an idea for how might like to volunteer, but did not see it listed here, let us know! We’re always open to new ideas.
Email your idea to volunteer@petsforpatriots.org
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Ready to enlist? ★
Visit us online at www.petsforpatriots.org; go to the ‘get involved’ tab
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Apply to become a Pets for Patriots volunteer Questions? Email us at volunteer@petsforpatriots.org or call 877-4-PETCADET (877-473-8223) Help us Bring Loyalty HomeTM
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