Join the Board

We welcome applications to join the Advisory Council of the New England Federation of Humane Societies.

Please read the information below before clicking this link to submit your application. You also may also download this information as a pdf by clicking NEFHS advisor recruitment.

Mission

The New England Federation of Humane Societies is dedicated to supporting the advancement of animal welfare throughout the region by providing learning and networking opportunities to individuals engaged in the field.

 What does the NEFHS do?

The NEFHS is a non-profit federation comprised of organizations and individuals dedicated to animal welfare and protection. Our major focus is to provide animal professionals in our region with the best possible training and networking opportunities, enabling them to better help the animals they care for.

Each year, in April, the NEFHS holds its signature event: the Annual Conference.  Held in different New England states, the NEFHS conference attracts animal professionals from New England and beyond. The three days of seminars, forums, and industry vendors provides top-notch learning and networking opportunities for animal professionals of all levels of experience.

We also hold periodic regional trainings and “town hall’ meetings to engage our community in respectful debate on the hot topics in our field, and to provide information on cutting edge best practices.

What is the advisory council’s role in the NEFHS?

The NEFHS represents New England’s humane community with both an all-volunteer 12-member board of directors and an all-volunteer 12-member advisory council. Members of the board of directors are elected to staggered 4-year terms. Directors have voting privileges and govern the organization. Members of the advisory council are elected by the board of directors to 1-year terms. While advisors do not have voting privileges, they attend meetings, fully engage in discussions, and perform work alongside directors. Having advisors allows us to bring an even wider range of experience to the work of the NEFHS.

We look for a wide-range of experiences and skill sets for our directors and advisors.  From executive directors to board presidents to development and fund-raising to marketing to direct animal care to behavior to foster care to veterinary care, full- or part-time employees or volunteers, at a physical shelter, strictly foster care organization, or animal care and control, we seek to reflect the diversity of animal sheltering and welfare in New England in our board and advisory council.

As part of the advisory council, you will be expected to volunteer for several committees which do the work of the Fed. You may choose to work on the Communications Committee which is focused on disseminating information internally and externally, enhancing communications, and marketing. Currently, we are looking for individuals with marketing, graphic design, WordPress or other web site content management system experience. Another committee is Outreach, which organizes several educational events throughout the year. Some committees are focused specifically on the conference: Program Committee determines the program schedule, soliciting and reviewing proposals from speakers and then working with speakers to help them have a positive and successful presentation. Networking Committee organizes the networking events at the conference and always needs creative, fun people to help generate new ideas! You will learn about all the committees and the work they do during your conversations with your mentor prior to the retreat and at the retreat.

What are the benefits of being an advisor?

Not only will you have the chance to contribute to the region’s only animal welfare educational conference, as well as other educational events throughout the year, you will also make life-long connections with leaders in animal welfare throughout New England and beyond. Participating as an advisor and potentially later as a board director provides a unique vantage point to view the status and trends of our field. Your knowledge of the field will broaden and deepen – and, we hope, you will have some fun along the way!

What will be expected of me as an advisor?

Advisors are expected to attend a majority of the board meetings held each year, as well as meetings or calls of the committees to which they belong. We also expect advisors to attend and help produce the Annual Conference and other events. In an advisor’s first year, it is mandatory that they be able to attend the annual planning retreat (this year scheduled for June 10-11, 2024 in Kennebunk, Maine).  If a potential advisor cannot attend the retreat, we recommend they postpone applying to the following year.

You will need to be sure that your organization or employer will permit you the time away from your regular work to participate in NEFHS activities. Because our directors and advisors come from all over New England, travel is likely to be involved in attending meetings and events. You (or your organization) will also be expected to pay for your lodging and meals for the conference and retreat and any other events. Hotel and travel costs for the conference, retreat, and board meetings average $1,000 per year.

What is the process for becoming an advisor?

Advising our organization is one of the most critical roles someone can play for the NEFHS. That’s why we recruit a pool of potential candidates for every open seat on the council. The process is simple and is intended to help us get to know each other. First, we ask you to complete an application form and submit a letter of interest. If, after reviewing your application, we determine that your profile fits the vacant council seat, we will contact you to talk more and provide you with more information about NEFHS. After careful consideration, the nominating committee will make a decision about which applicant best fills the vacant seat. The committee recommends these candidates to the current board for election. If you are elected, we will provide you with orientation materials and any support you need to hit the ground running.

To apply, please complete our online application.

For more information, please contact us at info@newenglandfed.org.