Our Motto: “It’s About the Animals!”
Our first meeting went extremely well - Better than we'd even hoped. The feedback we received indicates we are on the right track. Ruth, Kent, and I really enjoyed being involved and loved seeing us all come together. It was great meeting everybody and putting a face to a voice and name. There was a lot of enthusiasm about our working together and all the possibilities we can create. We are energized and ready to go!
It is obvious we all share a great love and passion for our animals. PAWS can really give us a way to make a bigger difference. This was a great start, and our animals deserve nothing less.
There were at least two representatives from six different Big Island nonprofits: advoCATS, inc.(Kona), ARCH - Animal Rescue Coalition of Hawaii (Waimea), Cat-Care (Volcano), Hawaii Island Humane Society, Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary (Kurtistown), and Tasha Ohana Animal Sanctuary (Hilo). We had approximately 32 people total - A great turnout considering some had to travel approximately five hours to attend!
I was so happy, I entered us in USA WEEKEND Make a Difference Day.
Be sure to recruit other animal lovers. There is always room for helping hands and an open heart.
As a result of our meeting we have already begun some great networking. Here a few of the positive results of our getting together. If you know of other networking gains please let me know.
A list of the one thing each of us wanted to accomplish when we said our introductions is posted on the web site.
If you would like a copy of the Power Point presentation or agenda notes from the first meeting let me know.
A complete directory will require time to gather more people and information over the next couple of meetings, but I will have a draft available at the next meeting that can be proofed or emailed to you. We will have an E-Directory shortly for those anxious to begin working on their networks.
If you haven’t completed a survey, please request one.
Please mark your calendar for January 31st at Tutu’s House in Waimea starting at 10:00 a.m. Details of the agenda and ending time are still being worked out.
How long would you like our meetings to last? For example, 10:00 to 2:00 with a half hour for lunch or 10:00 to 1:00 with just a 15 minute break. Feedback or other suggestions would be appreciated.
We will need time for committee reports, and time to plan projects. Perhaps we could have a guest speaker for 15-20 minutes each meeting with the topic to vary.
We need to set up committee for PAWS. So please consider putting your name and support under one of the committees. You can even consider chairing a committee.
A list of some suggested committees follows, but if you think of any more, just let me know. Remember there are no rules except the ground rule of remembering “It’s about the animals!.”
We are also looking for people willing to chair committees.
Planning Committee - Cat, Kent, Ruth
Media Committee -
Fundraising Committee - Laura
Group Purchasing Committee -
Legal Matters Committee - Cat
Spay/Neuter Committee -
Maddie's Fund Committee - Ruth , Joy , Torun, Cat
Grant Committee -
Veterinarian Network Committee -
Special Project - LOVE A CAT MONTH - June 2004 - Franny, Chair
Media, Spay/Neuter, Micro chipping Month, Adoption Assistance, Other ideas.
Special Project - LOVE A DOG MONTH - October 2004 - Laura
People coordinator for PAWS Events - Laura
We will also need a Newsletter Editor. Will someone volunteer?
As part of our networking with each other, if anyone finds an interesting web site that they think others may be interested in, please let Cat know.
Here are two:
Animal News Center www.anc.org which sends you a weekly email about animal- related news items from around the country.
21st Cares or America Cares a coalition of coalitions. They are trying to get humane education in the schools as part of the regular curriculum. www.21stcenturycares.org.
Check them out if you are interested.
Hope to see you all in January. Feel free to bring a friend.