A SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION RETREAT

[Note: We have collected three key pieces from the February retreat attended by members of the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission, the voluntary and council-appointed panel whose reponsibility is to monitor activities within the city's animal services department, including the shelter and animal-related politicies.  On Friday, Feb. 8, the commission held a retreat at the Farmer's Market in downtown Dallas. First you'll see the text of Commission Chair Mary Spener's greetings to the retreat, then a commission shelter assessment, a vision for the future, then a recap of the meeting. Readlarrypowell.com appreciates the help.]

THE WELCOME BY CHAIR SPENCER:

Welcome!
I say that with genuine enthusiasm – along with a huge Thank You for giving up a day – either from work or your own time - to devote to furthering our efforts as a commission for the animals at the Dallas shelter.   I feel comfortable in saying that we are all here because we love animals and we want to make the world a better place for them.
One of my favorite quotes is “In a perfect world, every dog and cat would have a home and every home a dog and cat.”    That to me IS a perfect world.  No more homeless pets, no more suffering -  and as a result  – homes and families would be happier and healthier.
We are also here to  CELEBRATE  because we finally won our lengthy battle.  I say battle because for so many years, it seemed to be one round after another.   Them against us.  Now, we need to step back and give ourselves a big round of applause because We – as a Commission WON!
FINALLY, we are all on the same team working for the same purpose!
For years, way before I became a Commission Member, the Commission fought to try to end the killing of so many adoptable animals at the shelter and all over Dallas.  Even with a brand new facility, the number of animals who left the shelter alive was less than 20%.  These were percentages that the Commission knew was bad and wrong – but it seemed impossible to get City Hall to listen and understand.   It seems that the City just accepted the fact that Dallas’ EU numbers – one of the highest cities in the US – was the norm.  Meeting after meeting we left frustrated and defeated.
It finally took a cat to die in a wall for the City leaders to hear us.  And they did.  They finally allowed a national search firm to find qualified management and they even allowed us to voice our opinion.   They listened to us and brought to Dallas one of the most qualified and experienced managers in the entire United States.   A woman (with more energy and tenacity than anyone I’ve ever met)  who was not discouraged by the stories she had heard – or the obstacles she faced upon her arrival.   Rolling up her sleeves, Jody Jones plowed on day after day – embracing the Commission and the City – as well as the animals in need at DAS.  She taught compassion to the staff and gave them purpose – showing them that every little bit of kindness helps a lot. 

 THE WELCOME TO THE COMMISSION

"Today is your day.   We have worked hard to put together several presentations that hopefully will be the beginning of innovative ideas for a new type of Commission.  A Commission who can feel comfortable that we don’t HAVE to spend our time trying to fix things that don’t get handled properly within the shelter.  We now have that component of the shelter taken care of.   Through Jody and her expertise and her qualified staff.  
"In fact, we now have employees who are going that extra mile to save an animal’s life, or to find it the perfect home, and to make its stay at DAS more comfortable while there.   We even have an operational manager who sits INSIDE the dog’s cage when he was too scared and un-socialized to even eat.
"Together with Jody and her staff, several Commission Members, and outside professional guidance,  we strived to put together a day filled with information and ideas to get your brain working and helping you figure out what makes your tail wag.   At the beginning of our planning, we met several times with Darla Beam, a professional development coach and huge animal advocate, to help with the agenda and give us some tips for making this day and your time more productive. We spent time with Yolanda Eisenstein, an animal law attorney and President of THLN, who has watched the Commission over the years and was so excited when Jody and I shared all the positive changes at DAS. Yolanda offered additional insight into how to make the day the best ever!    We were thrilled when she accepted to be our facilitator.
So, each one of you here today deserves a HUGE Thank You along with this little momento to remind you every day why we do what we do – and why those sloppy wet kisses and purrs are the best thanks ever!
Thank you!"

 
Vision for the Future
Dallas Animal Shelter Commission

Several Commission Members have stated that DAS has really changed over the last year and a half.  DAS is definitely not the same animal it was when I joined the Commission back in 2006 and like most successful companies and organizations, it’s changing on a daily basis.
Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay Cosmetics often said  “If an organization is not moving forward, but standing still, it is actually going backwards.”   Forward change is not only smart, but critical for any organization to reach its goals and achieve solid sustainability and keep the best people interested and involved.  
We all know that change can be difficult.   It’s definitely easier to rest on our laurels and continue doing the same thing over and over – wondering why the results never change.   Back in 2017, when I joined the Commission, DAS was at the lowest point of its history.  Many of us here remember those days.   Days when the commission felt like it was up to us to micro-manage and continue to ask the same questions again and again at each meeting – only to leave with no answers and more frustrated than ever.
DAS is no longer that organization.   And many of you all have made that exact statement.   A most refreshing statement – and one we have all envisioned and hoped for.  The folks at DAS, both the management team and the employees, are making these changes that we have begged for -  for so long.   It is finally happening – and for that we should be most happy – and proud.
The Vision for the Animal Shelter Commission must include steps to take us to the next level.  We need each one of you to step up and help continue this growth and development of the division and the community.  We must all strive to get to know our Councilpersons on a closer basis and show them that by DAS becoming a world-class division, it will make Dallas a much stronger, safer and vibrant city.
Everyone in this room has something unique to contribute to this positive growth.   Your mission, as a Commission Member,  is to give some serious thought to what you feel is the best avenue for you – through the Commission, DCAP or both.    Through the materials you will be taking home with you today, decide where your expertise and interests fit the best. Write down what you feel you can do and set a deadline for these goals.  Meet with any of us here today or even amongst yourselves to get more involved.
Today is the day for each of you to step back and view DAS from its new perspective and to determine where your passion and talents lead you.  

RECAP (As provided by the commission):

"RECAP of Dallas Animal Shelter Commission Retreat
February 8, 2013
This segment included, according to documents sent by Chairman Spencer, "a more refined and definition of the Animal Shelter Commission was presented  - based upon the evolving needs of the shelter today.   Because the Commission is merely an Advisory Board, we discussed raising the bar for the Commission and asking each member to become more involved with City issues and get to know their Councilperson better.  Because of no continued need to “micro-manage” the shelter anymore, hopefully, the Commission realizes the value of stepping up to the next level and becoming more of an educational voice for City Council and the Community.
"Each Commission member was presented a framed Thank You certificate for their service.   When Joey Zapata and Mary Suhm stopped by, they were also presented a certificate for their decision to listen to the Commission and to hire Jody Jones and her Team and allow them to make a difference.
Yolanda Eisenstein, (attorney and President of THLN) was the official Retreat facilitator and kept everyone on track, “parking” any issues which were not relevant to the day or the overall goals.
The day was filled with informative speakers and presentations so that each Commission member could choose where their individual talents and interests could make the best difference.    Because of the number of new Commission members and having had no formal orientation for these members, (along with questions posed from former members as well), the City Attorney presented the Roles and Responsibilities of the Commission.   Q & A were addressed from topics ranging from proper email and meeting etiquette to other issues pertaining to ethics.  
Chris Watts, (Commission Member and DCAP Chair) presented the value of “Engaging with Your Councilmember.”    Copies of the book, ”The One-Hour Activist” was given to each member.
Skip Trimble presented Legislation Update – explaining ways that each Commission member can become involved at a State level regarding upcoming animal laws and the effect on all.
Caroline Griffin, attorney and Chair of the Mayor’s Anti-Cruelty Commission in Baltimore, presented a campaign to alleviate animal abuse and cruelty.   We saw this as a way that members could choose to involve themselves through DCAP with a similar program.  Because of Mayor Rawling’s Domestic Violence Campaign, we felt this was a direct coorelation.
"Andi Comini presented a program 'Neighborhood Pet Alert' and the positive effects it has had in several East Dallas neighborhoods.   Since reclaiming lost pets to their owners is a major component to DCAP in order to keeping them out of the shelter, we felt this was another program that each Commission could present to their own neighborhood association, if they choose.
"Mary Spencer presented a Vision for 2013 (attachment enclosed) to point out the differences between the animal shelter 'today' from 'yesterday.'  She asked each Commission member to step up and move forward with a new Commission and a new mission of saving animals.
"Chris Watts and Maeleska Fletes, (Chair and Co-Chair of DCAP) presented the current state of DCAP and accomplishments in each area and component.   They also showed ways that each Commission member could help.
"The overall feeling of the Retreat was extremely positive from the Commission members and it appeared that everyone is on track to move forward and set new goals and priorities for the Commission.  This refreshing attitude appears to be what will take the Commission to the next level and help save more animals than ever before – by allowing the shelter staff to do their jobs in a productive atmosphere and manner. 
"A few suggestions included to have shorter Commission meetings (which further reinforced the idea that the Commission no longer feels the need to micro-manage the shelter). "
[Larry aside: So, from the vantage point of the Animal Shelter Commission, there you have it. Please feel free to comment by clicking below. Trust me. People will read your comments.]
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A SPECIAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION RETREAT - SpecialReport