Some of our clients have graciously chosen to share testimonials about their experiences with VPA. Learn more about how VPA has made an impact on previous clients and how it could help your organization below!
“VPA has been a great tool for our shelter throughout the years, and we plan to continue partnering with VPA to improve our volunteer program.”
– Zac Cook, Longmont Humane Society
“I already knew a few of the areas we needed to improve on. The VPA really helped me highlight and pinpoint within those areas what needed to be fine-tuned and what percent of volunteers really thought it needed improvement. The positive feedback from volunteers and my consultant was amazing and really gave me confidence in my program management.”
– Chloey Hensley, Volunteer Manager, Joplin Humane Society Animal Adoption and Resource Center
“This was a great opportunity for us to receive analyzed feedback and we will definitely look to partner again in the future.”
– Healing with Horses Ranch
“The team was wonderful to work with from start to finish and their communications clearly laid out what was expected of me and the volunteers at every step. They really listened to what was most important to me. The report was also very easy to read and understand and the strengths and opportunities provided very helpful guidance.”
– Lisa Starke, Blue Lotus Center
“I loved how willing my consultants were to work with my schedule. They understand the nature of the animal welfare industry and offered useful advice. The data collected will be very helpful in advocating for our volunteers and garnering approval for updates and programs that will help them succeed!”
– Carmen Manghera, Volunteer Manager, Operation Kindness Humane Society
“CT Cat Connection just completed its second survey with the VPA program. Everything about the process was exceptional. Communication was thorough and immediate, concerns were addressed, modifications were made. Both the preliminary explanations and follow up report were presented in an easy to follow way.”
– Laurie Miller, Volunteer Coordinator, CT Cat Connection
“I am so happy to have participated in the program, I now have valuable insight into the daily lived experiences of my volunteers and am able to work toward improving their volunteer experience.”
– Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department
“The survey process was so easy and the results summary was clear, easy to understand and will provide great insight to how we can improve our organization to make it better for our volunteers.”
– Melissa’s Second Chances
“I would highly recommend participating! If you are a new program or an established program and want to grow this assessment is for you. The representatives are incredibly helpful throughout the entire process and provide exceptional recommendations catered to your individual program. We are looking forward to participating again in the future!”
– Humane Society of North Texas
“My VPA Consultants could not have been more through, timely, responsive, and attentive under any circumstances. They were absolutely the best! The VPA is an excellent tool for any program not matter how big or small, or new or established. We are already using the results.”
– Ted Carlsen, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Volunteer Services Program (VSP)
“The VPA survey is an invaluable resource that allows volunteers an opportunity to be candid and offer important feedback. Our organization is truly appreciative of the opportunity.”
– La’Quaylin Parhm, Community Project Coordinator, Birmingham Police Department (Birmingham, AL)
“We were very pleased with the VPA program. The VPA instrument designed by our consultants was well received by our volunteers resulting in a very satisfying response. The consultants were very professional in guiding us through the survey process from beginning to end, and knowledgeable in interpreting the results. It proved to be a helpful and positive process in gaining insight and feedback from our volunteers.”
– Henry Justice, Blumenthal Performing Arts
“The VPA program has been the best in CAST’s History. We participate in many programs but VPA has been the most tangible and satisfying with real time analysis and concrete action items we can put in place immediately!”
– Michael Simmons, Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST)
“The VPA survey was a great tool to have as I re-evaluated my volunteer program. My representative, Ben, guided me through every step and was in constant contact with me making the process very easy. I am already seeing much improvement in my volunteer program resulting from the strategies presented to me through this survey!”
– Danielle Burlis, Central Missouri Humane Society
“Nashville Humane Association (“NHA”) benefited greatly from the VPA outcomes — truly, from the entire process of discovery — and I as Volunteer Coordinator felt so blessed to take part in this wonderful program. From the instant VPA representative Erika Carello Lopina established contact with me last summer, I felt genuinely engaged and supported. Erika’s professionalism and expertise, coupled with our instant rapport on the phone, made for an enlightening several weeks as the VPA results unfolded. We’ve since enhanced our Volunteer Program at NHA by celebrating our successes (sticking with what works as revealed by high scores in certain areas) and tackling recurring problems (uncovered by lower scores and open-ended suggestions). We want the generous individuals who lend their time and energy to this agency to feel rightly heard and appreciated, because with their cooperation and collaboration, our mission is better served. I’d recommend the VPA to any agency with a Volunteer Program, and only wish we could partake annually to track our progress! Thank you and good luck to the entire VPA team as this valuable service expands to other schools and assists more and more organizations”
– Celia Gregory, Volunteer Coordinator, Nashville Humane Association
“From the start, the Volunteer Program Assessment team from UNC Charlotte impressed me with their efficient, professional, manner – an approach that not only inspired confidence but generated the results I was looking for. I needed a volunteer program evaluation tool that would not take too much time away from my busy schedule but would also provide the right tool for the information I wanted. By partnering with VPA UNC-C, all I had to do was send the survey out to our volunteers; they did the rest. Zoa Ordonez, a team member, actually held a conference call with my boss and I and personally went over each detail. I have been able to make program improvements and get to know our volunteer’s needs all at the same time. I can’t wait to participate in the 2012 year’s evaluation to see how the program has improved. Did I mention it has all been for free?”
– Sarah Fallin, Program Coordinator, Orange County Animal Services
“The VPA allowed us to gain tremendous insight into our volunteer program, providing us a snapshot of things that we’re doing successfully and areas where we can improve to help retain our amazing volunteers. With a combination of closed and open-ended questions, we were able to get the specific information we needed to enhance the areas of our volunteer program that needed it the most. Since administering the VPA, we’ve improved communication with our existing volunteers, put additional training programs into place, and generated a host of new ideas that will keep our volunteer program buzzing for months, and even years, to come.”
– Marcie Williams, Community Relations Manager, Larimer Humane Society
“This survey information is invaluable to help NOAH move forward in a positive direction. I really appreciate your recommendations. Thank you so much!”
– Lisa Steenson, Executive Director, N.O.A.H Animal Adoption & Spay/Neuter Center
“I really enjoyed the Volunteer Program Assessment process. The survey was well constructed and administered and the results were fully explained to me by our VPA representative. The survey was enormously helpful to our organization as it gave true insight into the strengths and weaknesses of our Volunteer Program.”
– Jennifer Brownstein, Simply Cats Adoption Center
“If you are striving for excellence within your volunteer program and nonprofit organization, the Volunteer Program Assessment (VPA) is an invaluable tool to utilize to help you reach this goal. It allows your volunteers to give you candid and honest feedback about their perceptions about many important components to success. The VPA staff, especially Zoa Ordonez, Ph.D student, Organizational Science, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, that helps to guide you through the entire process is professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. Once your survey is customized based upon your input, it is easy to administer to your volunteers. The results are calculated from the data collected and provided in a timely manner along with a conference call to discuss your results, and at a later date, organizational norms are provided. In addition, further suggestions are given through compiled written documents for areas of development from the survey results. For the Cleveland APL, the VPA confirmed what we thought we knew and allowed us to see the areas of continued development for our program. For me, as the Volunteer Manager, it was a report card that helped to focus our team on important tasks critical to our success. We shared our results and implemented enhancements and new ideas to help make us even better. One of our volunteers stated in the comment section, “the volunteer program is good, but has the potential to be outstanding,” and that’s exactly what the VPA will help us to achieve. Our volunteers feel even more valued, and the best part for us is that our animals will be the beneficiary of our efforts.”
– Danielle Begalla, Volunteer Manager, Cleveland Animal Protective League
“This was a great opportunity to participate in a grant supported survey. Based on feedback, we were able to implement changes that improved relationships between staff and volunteers. Our volunteer program continues to grow and flourish to benefit the animals we are here to serve.”
– Linda Cadotte, Animal Allies
“Our UNCC VPA survey is completed and we are thrilled with the results. It is an invaluable tool and we’re ahead of the game now.”
– Ark Valley Humane Society
“You guys are incredible! Thank you for providing such an incredible service!”
– HALO Animal Rescue