Hotline

[Eevelsmf]

Ok....we are now looking for members to sign up to assist with the runnng of the hotline. We need not only runners, but people to answer the phone and dispatch.

Be warned, this is not easy, and takes some commitment. However, nobody is going to be lumbered with running it all the time. A roster is going to be drawn up, and everybody takes it in turns. Those who answer the phone during the day, will not be answering it at night etc, etc.

You need a good telephone masnner, and be able to ID reptiles from very poor descriptions (from very scared people!!) Above all...you have to be a diplomat, and represent the club in a strong positive manner.

Over 18's only.

Anybody interested, please PM me.

Thanks

Mark V/P.

[brandi]

I'm in.... c'mon you guys, time to step up.
B~

[MikeB]

What all is involved in manning the hotline? Do you just get a cell phone? Is it a manning a phone in a building somewhere? What is the duration of a shift, 8 hours, 12, 24, 2 weeks? Is there a dental plan? LOL

[Eevelsmf]

its easy...I am setting up a roster, and dividing up the work between everybody. The more people we have, the less of a bind it is. The AHA supplies the phones...so far...we may need more phones...Its more important to be friendly and helpfull. If you are unsure about identifying any reptile, just get a description from the caller and use your fieldguide. Above all...do some rescue calls. Best learning curve there is..

Thank you those few who did step forward. Where are the rest of you?

Mark.

Ps..Sorry...there is no dental plan. Just a big feelgood factor!!.:)

M:p

[HERPSKEEPER]

In a couple months i'll be 18 and would love to help out.

[rae3rott]

I can do mornings until 11 because i have to work after that! i need a field guide too LOL, i can barely identify my own children!

[K9Coach]

You know me, I'm doing the rescuing part. Plus, with my goofy schedule and training demands (read: training for an Ironman triathlon) I can't make that kind of commitment.

I hope a few of you have the schedule to step up and help. I know it means the world the those out there we are rescuing snakes for.
JR

[Loteer]

This come with a good P.T.O. (paid time off) program???

Oh yeah and did ya get my PM just checkin never got a reply?

[Eevelsmf]

...to everytbody who has replied so far. Please give me a few days. I am in the middle of moving, and life is kinda hectic!!

Yes Loteer...I got your pm. I WILL be in touch.


As I said, all you get is the feelgood factor. No more, no less.


M:)

[Loteer]

I feel yas i HATE moving especially in July GAH!!!

[Mantis]

I may be interested. I would love any more info there is to give...what field guide is recommended? Plus, what do you do with the animal after it's rescued (potentially a dumb question, sorry)?

[brandi]

eric, as far as running the hotline itself, you need to be available to take calls, deal with the (often frightened) public on the other end, and relay calls to hotline volunteers. As for actually running calls, you make a confirmation call to the person and go get the animal in question. Native wildlife gets released nearby. Non-natives and pet surrenders we hold onto for 14 days to see if someone claims them, otherwise you can adopt them yourself or try to find another home for the animal. Of course, this is just the quick-and-dirty version. there is a set of holine guidelines in the works right now.

Oh yeah, field guides... I believe you can never have too many field guides, but the two that stay in my back pack are Peterson's Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, and the National Audobon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. But then, I also lug around Sibley's Guide to Birds and the National Geographic guide to birds. I'm a walking natural history library! Hope that helps,
B~

[Mantis]

Brandi,

Yes you've been a great help, thanks! Sounds interesting. So if I'm actually rescuing an animal, I would have to find a place in my house for a non-native herp, until someone claims it, right? That could be a problem for, say, a large iguana or monitor or a large python, as I don't have that kind of space. Smaller animals would be fine though. I think I'd really like to try this though. I'll look into those field guides, as I've needed a good one for quite some time anyway. Thanks again!

[Eevelsmf]

I am now drawing up the roster for the hotline. I am spliting it up into day/nighs for now.So far, I only have Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings definately covered. The rest of the week is on a whoevers available basis, which means coverage can get patchy.

So, I am looking for reliable people who can fill in the slots, especially during the day.

Those wanting to sign up, post here.

Thanx

Mark.

[meeseaz]

I am available Saturday thru Tuesday, I work twelves Wednesday thru friday. I would love to help, let me know where I am needed....


Mike

[Eevelsmf]

Ok

Wanna pick a time slot eg Sat day, Sat night?

We will encourage rotation at the weekends so people can get a break.

Mark

[meeseaz]

I have no social life, I have 2 kids...lol

[KingEvil]

Originally posted by Mantis
I may be interested. I would love any more info there is to give...what field guide is recommended? Plus, what do you do with the animal after it's rescued (potentially a dumb question, sorry)?

this looks like a good one:

http://tinyurl.com/3p3po

[Lilla]

I am now drawing up the roster for the hotline. I am spliting it up into day/nighs for now.So far, I only have Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings definately covered. The rest of the week is on a whoevers available basis, which means coverage can get patchy.

So, I am looking for reliable people who can fill in the slots, especially during the day.

Those wanting to sign up, post here.

Thanx

Mark.


I sent you a PM

I can help fill in a bit.
pretty open here

[Loteer]

Wow dont know how your reply post on 7/25 got past me on the forums. But i could deffinately do Saturday and Sunday on days if needed or even just to fill in to give people breaks here or there. Might be able to do some other days also as a fill in if someone needs a vacation or something comes up anyhewy just send me a pm or e-mail me with details if needed.

[Eevelsmf]

...this is great!! Its nearly time for the baby rattlers to come out, so we are about to get busy!!

I will be contacting people this weekend.

Mark V/P :)