Our organization is made up entirely of volunteers, and we could use your help in a number of ways! Whether through fostering or donating time, goods, or funds, we appreciate our volunteers and owe any success solely to their generosity.

Open Volunteer Positions

President of Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue

Responsibilities:

• Presides at all meetings of the board

• Responsible for the general supervision, direction, and management of the Board

• Act as the point of contact during crisis and/or other issues

• Petstablished Administrator and Pet Point Administrator, including giving access to new Coordinators or Board Members. 

• Review and approve financial information for accuracy

• Owner of all Box files and responsible for organization

• Oversees and requests changes to the website

• Makes changes to the email forwarder

• Monitors daily and responds to the contact@thegreatdanerescue.com email address or assigns duties as required to an email coordinator

• Responds to general inquiries through official UMGDR email address. Forwards relevant emails to the appropriate directors (ex: surrenders, previously approved adopters, PayPal donations, etc.). (May delegate this responsibility to Contact Rescue/Hotline Coordinator.)

• Monitors daily and responds to UMGDR General Hotline. General inquiries can be forwarded to Hotline Coordinator (if assigned) to respond. Relevant calls forwarded to appropriate directors for follow-up (ex: surrenders, previously approved adopters, etc.) (May delegate this responsibility to Contact Rescue/Hotline Coordinator.)

• Makes changes as necessary to UMGDR documents and requests approval from all Board members

• Oversees the nominations of Angel Awards yearly, including ordering and mailing the awards out

• Updates forms etc. when another Board Member is unable

• Helps coordinate/lead fundraising events

• Responds to and communicates with the board about suggestions/concerns from UMGDR volunteers

• Able to step into any of the other Board positions if/when coverage is needed

• Oversees all legal matters that may arise

• Ability to navigate social media

• Manager of the public FB page, Instagram and Volunteer FB page, PayPal, Venmo and More

• Posts open positions on external websites as needed and communicates applicant’s information to the Board or specific Board member as needed

• Participates in discussion about issues with Danes in rescue or needing rescue

• Communicates appropriately with the public when sensitive matters may arise 

• Non-Voting Board Member unless a tie vote occurs

• Ability to be available to all Volunteers to discuss questions or concerns

Requirements:

• Need to have internet access on a daily basis

• Available to check email at least twice a day, unless other circumstances prevent this such as vacations, internet service issues, etc.

• Ability to take emergency calls 24/7, unless other circumstances prevent this such as vacations, illness, etc. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, strong organizational skills, and strong leadership skills

• Previous strong rescue participation

• Current or previous Dane ownership

• Educated and experienced with the organization’s policies and procedures

Foster Mentors

Responsibilities:

• Volunteers under the direction of the Director of Foster Homes

• Educates assigned foster homes when they take a Dane into their home to explain the foster process and rules UMGDR volunteers are to abide by

• Connects assigned fosters with additional resources as needed for vetting, training, etc.

• Updates Google spreadsheet with Dane info. and foster home updates

• Understands and is empathic to the Dane’s needs and foster home concerns

• Keeps open communication and trust with foster homes at all times

• Reports discovered incidents to Director of Foster Homes

Requirements:

• Ability to check and respond to emails frequently throughout the day; consistent internet service and ability to communicate via phone, text, video chat or email

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Professional at all times when representing UMGDR

• Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines and have a sense of urgency when needed

• Gmail account requirement, moderate level experience with Google docs and Facebook

• Experience and familiarity with UMGDR’s handbook, policies and rule or the willingness to learn and educate others

• Preferred Great Dane breed and fostering experience

We are also searching for a photographer, help with our newsletter and any volunteer willing to give a few hours of work on small internal projects!

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

FOSTER

transport

Pick up the Dane and transport it to the foster home. We cover all of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North and South Dakota. Our Transport Coordinator will send information to the transport team to set up a Dane Train when needed. Our goal is to have several volunteers for the transport so no one person will be on the road for hours on end.

home visits

Each applicant must be visited by a UMGDR at home to pass a home visit before a Dane is placed with them. This entails visiting with the applicant at their home, observing the environment, both physical and emotional, and determining if this is a suitable home for the Dane. Different Danes will have different needs in what constitutes a proper home for them.