Cat Protection Interview PDF

Briefly, tell us about your career journey to date. We'd like to hear a little more of your route through to now (including any high points, low points and significant career moves) My career journey has been a mix of creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to supporting meaningful ca...

Briefly, tell us about your career journey to date. We'd like to hear a little more of your route through to now (including any high points, low points and significant career moves) My career journey has been a mix of creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to supporting meaningful causes. I began my professional experience as the Volunteer Lead Coordinator for Mind Your Mood at Ulster University, where I had the privilege of recruiting and managing over 200 student volunteers to support mental health initiatives. This role was a major high point for me as it allowed me to develop training programs, organize workshops, and create a strong sense of community among the volunteers. Seeing the impact of our work---both in raising awareness and in the personal growth of the volunteers---was incredibly rewarding. From there, I transitioned into the field of business development and marketing, where I've further honed my skills in strategy and relationship-building. As a Business Development and Marketing Specialist at Gowling WLG, I've led high-profile events, managed sponsorships and budgets, and supported senior stakeholders in achieving their business goals. One standout moment in this role was organizing a three-day international environmental conference, which required detailed planning, cross-functional collaboration, and a creative approach to engagement. Throughout my journey, I've found that my strengths in communication, leadership, and organization have been key to my success. However, like many careers, there have also been challenges---for example, learning to balance multiple high-stakes projects simultaneously taught me the importance of prioritization and delegation. While I've enjoyed my time in business development, my heart has always been in the nonprofit sector, and I'm passionate about returning to a role where I can make a direct impact on the community. My experiences in volunteer management and strategic planning have prepared me to excel in roles like this, where I can combine my professional skills with my desire to support a meaningful mission---especially one as inspiring as Cats Protection. Career Journey Highlights: Mind Your Mood (Ulster University): - Recruited and managed 200+ student volunteers for mental health initiatives. - Organized 28 workshops and 23 events focused on mental health and wellbeing. - Delivered mental health training to 2000+ students and staff as a certified LAYM trainer. - Rebranded the campaign, creating a mascot and aligning with the organization's mission. - Coordinated successful fundraising events to support mental health resources. Business Development & Marketing (Gowling WLG): - Organized high-profile events, including a three-day international environmental conference. - Managed sponsorships, stakeholder relationships, and a \$500,000 budget. - Developed business strategies, led thought leadership campaigns, and supported cross-functional teams. - Provided one-on-one coaching to help lawyers achieve business goals. High Points: - Successfully creating impactful mental health initiatives with Mind Your Mood. - Delivering large-scale events and driving business strategies at Gowling WLG. Challenges/Low Points: - Balancing multiple high-stakes projects taught me the value of prioritization and delegation. Why This Role: - Passionate about returning to the nonprofit sector to make a direct impact. - Excited to combine volunteer management and strategic planning skills with a meaningful mission like Cats Protection. Can you describe your approach to ensure inclusivity and diversity in the recruitment of volunteers? - Reasonable adjustments - Everyone is qualified - Neurodiversity - Play to peoples strengths -- find out what they excel at and make use of it in terms of their role - Inclusivity and diversity are essential in volunteer recruitment because they enrich the organization with varied perspectives, ideas, and experiences. Broadening outreach channels -- - partnering with local orgs and communities to spread awareness about opportunities - posting volunteer opportunities on platforms that cater to underrepresented groups, such as community-specific forums, - Using inclusive language in all recruitment materials to convey that the organization values diversity. - E.g I realised that in previous years we did not have many international students or mature students so I reached out to these groups directly -- I did talks before lectures about the campaign and how to get involved Removing barriers for participation -- - Offer flexible schedules to accommodate people - Ensure the application process is simple and accessible - E.g. I also hosted in-person sign-up sessions at community events to engage individuals who might not be comfortable applying online. Build an inclusive culture - Encourage feedback from volunteers to continuously improve our inclusivity efforts - I celebrate cultural diversity by acknowledging and incorporating volunteers' unique backgrounds into events and activities. - E.g. a lot of the international students felt left out as they would have nothing to do on the weekends so I set up activities on the weekends - E.g. For instance, during a volunteer appreciation event, we invited volunteers to share their cultural traditions and experiences. This not only fostered inclusivity but also deepened connections among the group. Volunteers reported feeling more valued and connected to the organization's mission.\" As a volunteer manager, tell us about a time where you have encountered challenging behaviours? What were the outcomes of the actions you took? What did you learn? - Challenge is my greatest teacher -- it allows me to find gap in my knowledge - Never take it personal -- what has happened that they may have gone beyond the point that they can manage the conversation in this way - Separate the person from their behaviour -- e.g. they are lovely when they are having the best time - Identifying the trigger, patterns in behaviour and what factors are contributing to it An example from MYM: - a student volunteer approached me to report inappropriate behavior by another student volunteer. The situation was sensitive and serious, as it involved personal boundaries and created discomfort within the team. - My primary responsibility was to ensure that the concern was addressed appropriately, maintaining the confidentiality and well-being of everyone involved - Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, I immediately informed the student volunteer that this matter needed to be escalated to the appropriate department. I reassured them that their concern would be taken seriously and handled with confidentiality. - I contacted the Student Wellbeing Team and provided them with the necessary details while maintaining the privacy of those involved. I worked closely with them to ensure a smooth handover of the case and made sure the affected volunteers were aware of the next steps. Meanwhile, I monitored the team's dynamics to ensure the rest of the group was unaffected by the situation and continued supporting the team's work.\" - The Student Wellbeing Team promptly handled the issue and worked with both parties to resolve it in a fair and sensitive manner. The student who raised the concern expressed gratitude for how seriously the issue was taken - By escalating the matter to the correct team, I ensured that the issue was handled professionally and within the scope of institutional policies, without overstepping my role. Another example Lee - In my previous role as a volunteer manager, one individual, a long-time volunteer, began exhibiting challenging behaviors, such as being dismissive of new volunteers' ideas and openly criticizing staff decisions during team meetings. This behavior was creating tension within the group and affecting team morale. - It was my responsibility to address the situation promptly to maintain a positive and collaborative environment for all volunteers. My goal was to understand the root cause of the behavior and work toward a resolution that would benefit both the individual and the team. - First, I scheduled a private, one-on-one conversation with the volunteer to understand their perspective. I approached the discussion with empathy and active listening, asking open-ended questions like, 'Can you share what's been on your mind lately?' Through our conversation, I learned that they felt their long-term experience wasn't being recognized and that they were frustrated with some changes in the program. - I acknowledged their contributions and concerns, then explained the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where all voices are valued - Together, we created an action plan that included their involvement in mentoring new volunteers, which gave them a sense of purpose and responsibility. I also implemented more structured feedback sessions where all volunteers could share ideas and concerns in a respectful manner. - The volunteer responded positively to our conversation and embraced their new role as a mentor. The team dynamic improved significantly, with new volunteers feeling more supported and valued. - This experience taught me the importance of addressing challenging behaviors early and with empathy. I learned that often, these behaviors stem from underlying concerns or frustrations that can be resolved through open communication and creative problem-solving. Another example Gowling WLG - I was managing a high-profile event for lawyers and their clients, where the focus was on fostering networking and informal discussions. During the event, one of the lawyers became visibly upset because her clients were not seated next to her. Since we had decided on an open seating arrangement to encourage mingling, her expectations weren't met. She began shouting at me in front of other attendees, which created an uncomfortable and unprofessional atmosphere. - My responsibility in that moment was to defuse the situation quickly, maintain the professionalism of the event, and address the lawyer's concerns without disrupting the experience for other attendees. I also needed to ensure that the situation didn't escalate further. - First, I remained calm and composed despite the public nature of the outburst. I acknowledged the lawyer's frustration and politely suggested that we step aside to discuss the matter privately, away from the other guests. Once we were in a quieter area, I listened to her concerns and empathized with her desire to prioritize her clients' experience. - I explained the rationale behind the open seating arrangement, emphasizing that it was designed to benefit all attendees by maximizing networking opportunities. To accommodate her concerns, I offered to personally assist in introducing her clients to key individuals or arranging for them to join her group informally, which addressed her primary issue. I also followed up with her clients to ensure they felt welcomed and engaged during the event. - By moving the discussion to a private setting and addressing her concerns respectfully, I was able to de-escalate the situation. The lawyer calmed down and appreciated the effort to resolve the matter. Her clients stayed for the duration of the event and participated actively, which suggested they were satisfied with the experience. The professionalism I maintained during the incident helped preserve the event's positive atmosphere for the other attendees. - This experience taught me the importance of staying calm under pressure and handling challenging behaviors with empathy and professionalism. I also learned that proactive communication and conflict resolution are essential in high-stakes environments. In the future, I would consider clarifying seating arrangements in advance for similar events to manage expectations and avoid potential misunderstandings Situation: - Hosted a high-profile event for lawyers and their clients with open seating to encourage mingling. - A lawyer became very upset because her clients weren't seated next to her. - She started shouting at me in front of other attendees, creating an unprofessional atmosphere. Task: - Needed to quickly de-escalate the situation, maintain professionalism, and address her concerns. - Ensured the event continued smoothly without disrupting other guests. Action: - Stayed calm and composed, invited her to discuss the issue privately away from others. - Listened to her concerns, empathized, and explained the rationale behind the seating arrangement. - Offered solutions: personally introduced her clients to key individuals and facilitated informal seating adjustments. - Followed up with her clients to ensure they felt welcomed and engaged. Result: - De-escalated the situation; the lawyer calmed down and appreciated the effort to address her concerns. - Her clients remained engaged and participated actively in the event. - Maintained a professional atmosphere and avoided disruption to the rest of the event. Learning: - Importance of staying calm under pressure and handling public challenges tactfully. - Learned the value of empathy and proactive conflict resolution in high-stakes situations. - In future, plan to clarify seating expectations beforehand to avoid similar issues. What is your experience of leading and managing a team of remotely- based volunteers? Please tell us about some of the challenges and how you overcame them. - Power about having a level of autonamy - Working remotely allows them the autonamy to manage their own time - Regular check ins to make sure they are okay - Give them options/freedom -- I trust them and showing that I trust them - Awknowledgement and feeling valued - Virtual workshops -- I created one specifically for wellbeing - I provided them with lots of resources during covid - To address the communication challenges, I implemented regular virtual check-ins, including weekly team meetings and one-on-one calls, to stay connected and provide support - To build a sense of community, I organized virtual team-building activities, such as informal coffee chats and online recognition events to celebrate individual achievements. I also encouraged volunteers to share their experiences and challenges during team meetings, which helped create a space for peer learning and support. - I made myself available for questions and troubleshooting, ensuring they felt supported even while working independently. - I also learned that regular feedback and recognition go a long way in maintaining morale and motivation, even when working at a distance. Can you tell us why you think it is important recognize volunteer contributions and celebrate volunteer engagement and describe a time you have done this successfully. - Engagement and Motivation: Volunteers contribute time and energy without expecting monetary rewards. Recognition fosters a sense of purpose and motivation. - Retention and Loyalty: Celebrating their efforts makes them feel valued, increasing their likelihood of continuing their service. - Community Building: Acknowledging their work strengthens bonds and encourages others to volunteer. - Recognition builds morale, creates a positive culture, and strengthens long-term relationships. - Celebrating their contributions shows that the organization values their time and efforts. - Organized many thank you events -- I made a speech and thanked a lot of them individually for their contributions and I wrote them thank you cards - I also put on workshops just for them -- e.g. colouring workshop, tea and coffee and biscuits and we would chat - I also created Christmas boxes for them with lots of mindful treats Notes of managing volunteers: - Developing a trusting professional relationship with them - Weekly 1 to 1 catch ups with every person -- thanking each person first in the meeting - 2 important things when managing volunteers -- communication and organisation - Interconectiveness - Empowering people for them to make their own connections -- facilitate a conversation - Give them a scope for progression -- mentor volunteers, different layers, roles More questions they could ask: Describe your understanding of community fundraising and its importance in charity work. - Community fundraising involves engaging local individuals, groups, and businesses to raise funds for a cause through events, campaigns, and collaborative efforts. - It provides income, awareness building, community engagement, powerful tool to not only raise funds but also inspire action and foster a deep, lasting commitment to the charity\'s mission. Can you provide an example of how you motivated a volunteer team to achieve a fundraising goal? - In a previous role, I organized and led an abseil fundraiser as part of MYM. The goal was to raise funds for the initiative and engage the community in supporting the cause. - To motivate the volunteer team, I started by clearly communicating the impact of their efforts, emphasizing how the funds raised would directly benefit individuals struggling with mental health challenges. This helped the team feel personally connected to the campaign\'s mission. - I divided responsibilities based on volunteers' strengths, ensuring everyone had a role that matched their interests and skills---whether it was promoting the event, recruiting participants, or helping with logistics on the day. - Regular communication was key. I held check-ins to address concerns, provide updates, and ensure everyone felt supported. Tell us about a successful fundraising campaign you led or were involved in. - One of the most successful fundraising campaigns I led was an abseil fundraiser MYM. The goal was to raise funds for the initiative while creating an event that captured public attention and engaged the community. - I began by carefully planning the event, identifying a local landmark as the abseil site to make it appealing and exciting for participants. I collaborated with stakeholders, including local businesses, to secure sponsorships and promote the event, which helped maximize visibility and support. - Recruiting participants and volunteers was a critical part of the campaign's success. I built a strong team of volunteers, assigning roles based on their skills and ensuring everyone understood how their contributions aligned with the campaign's mission. To keep them motivated, I provided regular updates, celebrated milestones, and ensured they had the tools and training needed to feel confident in their roles. How would you identify and develop income-generating opportunities in the community? - Research community demograaphics by engaging with local groups, businesses and stakeholders to uncover potential partnerships e.g. if outdoor activities were popular in the area I would explore charity walks - Work with existing volunteers and supporters to gather ideas - Stay informed about success fundraising trends - Design unique event -- cat yoga fundraiser - Review performance and gather feedback for future events Describe a time when you had to meet a specific fundraising target. How did you achieve it? - Think of the sponsorships in gowling and what was offered e.g. -- logo on website and advertising, social media post, local press, personalized fundraising pages What creative approaches would you bring to community fundraising to engage supporters? - Themed events -- 'paws for a cause' - Communirt partnerships -- partnering with pet stores or cafes with cat-themed menus where a percentage of sales goes to the charity - Personalized engagement -- 'adopt a cat for a day' -- donors receive updates about specific cats they are helping to support - Digital and social media campisgns -- share your cat love What is your leadership style, and how does it apply to managing volunteers? - My leadership style is collaborative and supportive - Focus on an environment where they feel valued, empowered and motivated - E.g. empowerment through delegation -- I trust them to take ownership of tasks - Clear communication - Recognition and appreciation - Flexibility and support What methods would you use to track and evaluate volunteer contributions and fundraising success? - Goal setting - Regular check ins -- volunteers provide feedback My greatest strengths and weaknesses - One of my greatest strengths is **communication.** I believe in fostering clear, open communication within teams, especially when managing volunteers. It helps ensure that everyone is aligned, understands their role, and feels supported - I'm also skilled at **relationship-building**---whether it's connecting with volunteers, stakeholders, or community members, I enjoy creating meaningful connections that drive collaboration and positive outcomes. - Tendency to **take on too much responsibility**. I'm passionate about the work I do and always want to help, so sometimes I end up saying \"yes\" to too many tasks at once. I've learned that this can stretch me too thin, so I'm focusing on being more mindful about delegating tasks to others, especially when working with a team of volunteers - I now take more time to assess how I can best support others in their roles and ensure we're all working collaboratively, rather than feeling like I need to manage everything myself. Cats Protection I know that Cats Protection is the UK's largest cat welfare charity, and your mission is to ensure that every cat in the UK has the best possible life. You achieve this through your focus on **rehoming, neutering, and education**. Your network of volunteers and staff across the country works tirelessly to rehome cats and kittens, educate the public about responsible cat ownership, and support cat owners with advice and assistance. I also understand that you're committed to reducing the number of unwanted cats through neutering programs, which play a key role in controlling the cat population and preventing unnecessary suffering. What stands out to me is not just the scale of your work, but also the passion and expertise you bring to it. From your dedicated adoption centres to the community outreach programs, it's clear that Cats Protection makes a huge impact on the welfare of cats and the people who care for them. I admire how your charity combines hands-on support for cats in need with long-term solutions, like public education campaigns, to improve the overall landscape for cat welfare. It's a mission I'm deeply inspired by, and one I would be proud to contribute to as part of your team.