Letter to the Editor: Former Humane Society ED Tammy Hanks Speaks Out
Hi, my name is Tammy Hanks. I was the first paid Executive Director at Jefferson County Humane Society. I was hired in September 2022, and resigned in September 2023. I have no idea why the board and the new ED have conveniently forgotten to mention me. I can only assume that they do not want you to hear from me.
I am deeply saddened by the ongoing turmoil that has ensued since my departure, and would like to offer my support to the amazing staff, dedicated volunteers and Dr Kraft that have been mistreated and dismissed. I spent my entire professional career in the nonprofit world, including serving as the Executive Director of several small nonprofits in New Mexico—primarily dealing with mental health and abused and traumatized children.
When I came to the area, I wanted to continue nonprofit work, and the idea of also helping animals appealed to me. I undertook the Executive Director position at HSJC and was immediately impressed by the passionate staff, Vets Dr. Johnson and Dr. Kraft, and the absolute dedication of the volunteers. We worked well together, and I believe we made several improvements to what I can only describe as a much too small and woefully inadequate building, including overflow outside kennels that needed to be torn down.
At first, the board seemed caring, invested in the shelter, and helpful. But soon concerns began to emerge. First, one board member constantly berated another during meetings. This continued despite my objections, until I felt I was forced to threaten to resign if the offensive behavior did not stop. Fortunately, that board member resigned. I later had to instruct the board that their financial practices did not comport with standard principles of nonprofit management—which usually dictate that monies are to basically reside in 3 Buckets—1/3rd of the money in investments, 1/3rd in savings and 1/3rd in operating funds. At the time, all monies received were invested in the stock market, with operating expenses funded on an as-needed basis.
I even initiated a one-day Board training by a local nonprofit trainer to make their responsibilities clearer. As of my departure in Sept. 2023, that practice had not changed.During my tenure as the Executive Director, the staff and I worked diligently to include the volunteers more and develop a supportive and collaborative team. We started a monthly "get together" with volunteers, staff, and myself so that everyone could feel included and supported. Many volunteers met other volunteers for the first time, and some said it was the first time that they had been acknowledged. It felt good to all come together away from some of the brutal realities of trying to run an open-admission shelter.
Dr. Kraft and Dr. Johnson worked amazingly hard, and I can't recall the number of times that I watched them saving lives on tiny little kittens or huge slobbering dogs. Devon was right there helping, as was Jessica. Sometimes, it was a futile effort, and all staff took those feelings of defeat home with them—but the next day, everyone was ready to go at it again. It is very humbling work, which I quickly learned.
Few board members saw or felt the emotional tolls such work takes on caring human beings. My main friction with the board was that they had very little involvement with the day-to day realities of the shelter, or fundraising, or events. When I asked for more involvement, I was told that they were an "oversight" board, not a working board, which apparently meant that they were only obliged to come to monthly board meetings. To be fair a few did show up occasionally to donate goods or pick up financials, and Pam Kolecy, the board President, did attempt to motivate further involvement, to little avail. Ellen Heinemann was often at the shelter, and two volunteers (Bess Jennings and MJ Wertz) joined the board, hoping to bring in new blood and perspective. It is my understanding that all three of them have been removed or suspended from the current board.
When we were hiring for a new Vet Assistant, all staff, including Dr. Kraft were included in the interview process—we unanimously chose Jessica. I never questioned that decision, because she was an excellent employee—as was Devon and every employee and volunteer who has since left, been fired or chased off. As my disillusion with the board continued and deepened, things finally came to a head when we received a $40,000 grant from the County to purchase a pickup. The pickup was intended to allow us to take the medical trailer "on the road," so as to better serve all Jefferson County residents-primarily in rural areas such as Forks and the Hoh area. The board immediately informed me that they had no intention of allowing the trailer to be moved, even though, as I understood, it was originally intended to do so and would serve the larger community.
Frustrated with this, and other issues with the board, I reluctantly resigned in September, 2023. I miss the volunteers and our staff daily. I have supervised many people in my long career in the nonprofit world. These people were among the most dedicated, caring, and competent that I have had the honor of knowing. I am heartbroken knowing that many have been forced out of the work that they have done so well. I am even more upset that the animals have lost so many great advocates that loved and cared for them so fiercely. I sincerely hope that the shelter and management—including what remains of the board—learn from the recent debacle and strive to remember the original goals of the Humane Society—to save and protect our companion animals with dignity and grace.
Tammy L. Hanks, Ph.D.
