Feral Cat Coalition Clinic Procedures
Team Leaders
Team Leaders are selected for each job category based on their experience in that area. When chosen as a Team Leader, you are responsible for making sure the volunteers assigned to your area know their duties and carry them out.
- When you arrive at the clinic, the Supervisor will give you a list of volunteers assigned to your area (usually on a 3" x 5" card) and copies of the applicable procedure. There will also be an easy-wipe board listing everyone's job assignment. As volunteers arrive, the Supervisor will introduce them to you if they're new. Keep track of who has arrived, and tell the Supervisor of any "no-shows" so volunteers can be reassigned, if necessary. Make sure everybody signs in and makes themself a nametag.
- Organize and brief team members either as a group or individually. Review general rules and the procedure for the job assignment with everybody ("veteran" volunteers as well!). The 3" x 5" card should list any changes and/or special instructions for the clinic and will indicate which volunteers are new as they'll require training. Encourage new people to ask questions so they'll fully understand what's expected of them and why we do things the way we do; monitor their work and provide constructive comments so they'll learn the job (and want to do it again!) and the cats will be properly cared for.
- Set up your area as soon as possible — work with the Supervisor to see where your team will be located. You are responsible for keeping your team members in their job area! People sometimes see someone who needs help and jump in — which is great — BUT then they forget what they're really supposed to be doing! This can create a lot of confusion (who's on first?!) so have them tell you if they see a problem area so the Supervisor can reassign people if necessary. Encourage volunteers to view the other job areas so they'll understand how the entire clinic operates, but have them check with you and with the Supervisor before they start wandering through the clinic — it might be too hectic in your area (so you'll need them around) or too busy in surgery for observers (some vets don't like "lookyloos" either!).
- Start cleaning your area as soon as possible — we need to clear out of the clinic so the host vet can go home! Assign your team members specific tasks to distribute the chores evenly. When we leave, the clinic should be ready for the next business day.
- If you have any questions or problems, talk to the Supervisor. You're able to see specific areas that need improvement as well as what's working well; share your insight with the Board of Directors so procedures can be changed, if necessary, and we can avoid future problems.
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[Page updated November 2009]