The Association Blog

This blog’s all you—all your suggestions, that is. Over the past year, we listened and took notes as you passed along your favorite books, tech tools, websites, links and videos. 

What: TEDx video: Own Your Behaviours, Master Your Communication, Determine Your Success 
Recommended by: Mark Neff, Executive Director, Forsyth Humane Society
Why: “I encouraged my staff to watch this video, and the response was so great I then started a staff book club to read similar content.”

What:  BOARDnetWORK, a free resource created for members of the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance
Recommended by: Marin Humane’s CEO & President, Nancy B. McKenney, MNPL, CAWA
Why: “Our board members can access the calendar, agendas, and documents all in one secure location. They find it easy to navigate and can download PDFs of meeting agendas and access documents online during meetings. And the biggest plus for us is that it is free.”

What: I Take My Coffee Black by Tyler Merritt
Recommended by: Kelly Bauer, Executive Director, The Center for Animal Health & Welfare
Why: “This book is a must-read for those hoping to increase their awareness of social issues.”

What: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
Recommended by: Kristi Mack, HR Director, Humane Society Silicon Valley
Why: “We train all employees on crucial conversations and this is our supporting resource.”

What: PolicyMap mapping tool
Recommended by: Sandi Mercado, Executive Director, Citizens for Animal Protection
Why: “This resource may be helpful to determine which areas in your community are considered low-income, so you can ensure your resources are going to those who need it most.”

What: Shelter & Spay/Neuter Veterinarian Job Board
Recommended by: Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DABVP
Why: “Are you on the hunt for your next shelter or HQHVSN veterinarian? Or are you looking for your next great vet position? There’s a Facebook page for that!”

What: Kingdomality, a personality assessment used for teambuilding
Recommended by: Charleston Animal Society’s Chief Advancement Officer, Sean Hawkins, CAWA, CFRE
Why: “Kingdomality was the first exercise I brought to a group with a well-established divide to show how every person has a role in the Kingdom—the shelter—and the organization does not function without the talents and personalities of each.”

What: Pocketalk two-way translation devices 
Recommended by: MeLissa Webber, Interim Director, Dallas Animal Services
Why: “You can use them to interpret conversations right then and there.” 

What: Pandemic Impact Analysis on Animal Sheltering
Recommended by: Shelter Animals Count
Why: “This report provides clues as to whether 2021 animal shelter and rescue intake and outcome numbers are following a predictable trend as we move towards a new normal, or if things are still abnormal due to special, post-pandemic market behavior.”

What: The Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge teambuilding exercise
Recommended by: Kathryn Mahoney, CPA, CAWA, Vice President, Finance & Administration, Wayside Waifs
Why: “It paralleled us working together toward our mission.”

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