Mission & Vision
Message from the President
The next few months will see the successful conclusion of the third year of actions and objectives defined by an important and extensive long-range strategic planning project. The Board of the HSBC, key volunteers, and staff, worked together to create this organizational plan in 2005 to form a vision of the Humane Society of Berks County’s future, a clear roadmap to get us there, and the specific means and methods required to make the journey.
For over 100 years, the Humane Society of Berks County has been Berks County’s leader in animal welfare. However, the needs of animals in our society, the laws protecting them, and the entire animal welfare movement are changing faster than ever. If the HSBC is to continue to be strong force for animals in need and to remain relevant within the animal welfare community, it must have a clear vision and plan of action.
As you read the attached document, please focus on the part you can play in moving this plan and the Humane Society forward. With everyone’s support and focus, we can make our vision of the future a reality and remains Berks County’s leader in animal welfare for the next 100 years.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lee Pickett, President, HSBC Board of Directors
Mission Statement
The mission of the Humane Society of Berks County is to serve Berks County through: education and outreach in the community, medical services for needy animals, humane investigation, safe shelter for homeless animals and strong sterilization and adoption programs to ensure that every companion animal lives in a safe, loving and secure home.
Vision Statement
In 2005, as the leadership of the Humane Society of Berks County begins its planning activities, it created the following vision of the outcomes of its efforts:
- We are the best organization to eliminate pain and suffering, and enhance the quality of life for animals in our area. Every day, we impact companion animals in and around Berks County and improve people’s interaction with them. Additionally, we are the source for valuable information about animals and provide the best opportunity for homeless animals to find a home. We provide spay and neutering free of charge to all who need it.
- We are highly effective and efficient, so much so, we are the model for other animal welfare organizations. We have the best qualified staff to provide the services people and animals need and a board that is diverse and brings a wide range of skills, capabilities, experiences and assets to our organization. Everyone associated with our organization is passionately devoted to our mission.
- Because we have multiple facilities located throughout the county, no Berks Countian is no more than 30 minutes from one of our locations. We have all of the resources we need to do what we want to do how we want to do it.
- As a result of our strategic focus and hard work, we are able to fund our operations based on traditional sources of revenue and our growth and expansion based on transformational, philanthropic dollars. As importantly, our reach is broad enough that we positively impact animals we don’t even touch.
Long-Range Strategies
The Humane Society of Berks County has identified four overriding strategies, with supporting strategic actions, it will implement in its efforts to fulfill its mission and achieve its vision.
- The Humane Society of Berks County will position itself as the leading resource, advocate and educator for animal issues in Berks County.
- The Humane Society of Berks County will maintain its current location as an animal control facility and build a centralized animal services center supported by a series of satellite adoption centers.
- The Humane Society of Berks County will launch a comprehensive campaign to raise transformational charitable funds, while maintaining its traditional funding streams.
- The Humane Society of Berks County will recruit the best volunteers and staff possible and provide them with the support and infrastructure necessary to fulfill its mission and achieve its vision.
Operational Objectives
During the third year of this long-range strategic plan (2008), the Humane Society of Berks County implemented (or are in process of implementing) the following operational objectives:
- Created a comprehensive veterinary services program for both the animals in our direct care and for the public.
- Reconciled our position on our animal control contract and moved away from being Berks County's "dog catcher".
- Expanded our public education program focused on kids.
- Develop the plans and a prototype for a new shelter.
- Rebuilt our Reading Dog Adoption Center.
- Put Berks County's first model animal ambulance into service.
- Began introducing our current donors to our strategic facility plans.
- Opened additional animal welfare center in Douglassville providing adoption and veterinary services.
- Increase our volunteer recruitment activities, improved our training program for our volunteers, and enhanced our volunteer recognition program.
- Expanded Ani-Meals On Wheels to Montgomery County.
- Began expanding cruelty investigation authority to additional counties.
Critical Measures of Success
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of and progress toward its long-range strategic plan, the Humane Society of Berks County will measure and track the following Critical Measures of Success. The results will be reviewed by the leadership team on a regular basis.
- Number of Participants in educational/community programs
- Number of community connections
- Number of animals housed
- Number of successful adoptions
- Number of euthanasias due to illness
- Performance toward facility plans
- Dollar amount of charitable funds raised
- Number of donors
- Dollar amount of traditional revenue
- Number of (qualified) volunteers
- Number of volunteer hours
- Number of board vacancies (using board matrix)
- Number of voluntary staff turnover
- Animals in versus adopted ratio
- Number of sterilizations
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