Hello there!
Whether you are an employee or volunteer, it doesn’t take long for the Zoo to become a strong part of a person’s identity. We recognize this, and we are thrilled to announce a new volunteer title, Volunteer Alumni. This designation is for dedicated volunteers who find that their ability to serve is greatly limited, however, their enthusiasm for the Zoo and their zoo friends is as strong as ever. This new group was created to show our gratitude to our volunteer family, and so our devoted volunteers don’t just disappear when their circumstances change, and they can no longer actively serve.
There are lots of reasons this can happen. Sometimes it’s because people change jobs, or have too many responsibilities to fit volunteer service into their lives, but often, this happens for no other reason than the marching on of time. We have some volunteers who seem to have some serious age-defying tricks up their sleeves, but we also hear plenty of stories of knees and hips or brains and eyeballs not working as well as they used to, making it difficult or impossible to serve the Zoo in the same ways they have for years, or even decades. None of these are reasons to lose you!
The volunteers who join our alumni group will still be a part of the volunteer family. The title Alumnus removes the service hours requirement but retains the social and educational connection to the Zoo.
Alumni will receive the following benefits:
- Invitations to all volunteer social events
- Invitations to all Continuing Education presentations
- Special alumni ID badge that gives the alumnus 50% off admission
- A Friends & Family form good for 20% off the price of a Zoo Membership, which includes parking
To be eligible for Alumnus title, volunteers must meet the following criteria:
- Served a minimum of 50 hours each year for a minimum of 5 years of service (special circumstances may be considered)
- Have Department Supervisor and Volunteer Department approval
How it works:
A volunteer can be recommended for alumni status by a supervisor or fellow volunteer OR personal request for consideration upon retirement from active duty.
Once the invitation to join the alumni group has been accepted, the volunteer will meet with the Mollie & Sabrina to return their parking permit and volunteer badge. In return, they will receive their special Alumni badge, which is valid for one year (noted on a “valid through” sticker), benefits packet, and a certificate of recognition for their service.
Each year during the anniversary month of their alumni status change, the Volunteer Department will contact the alumnus to see if they would like to remain active in the alumni group. If so, we will send an updated alumni badge “valid through” sticker and the current calendar of events.
Many, MANY thanks for all you do!
Mollie & Sabrina