Henry the Lion/Handler Volunteer Application

Hi Brooke! Glad to have you on the team! Below is the application. Let me know if you have any questions. Otherwise, looking forward to working with you soon! 🙂

HVZ Henry/Handler Application (2024)

Before I start…

About You – Volunteer 1

I am a…(Required)

Volunteer Info

Last Name

First Name

Pronouns

Race/Ethnicity

Language(s) Spoken

Shirt Size (S-5XL)

Birthdate (mm/dd/yyyy)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Email(Required)

Mobile Phone#(Required)

Alternate Phone#

Alternate Phone Type

Texting Agreement(Required)

At HVZ we sometimes use texting to communicate with our volunteers for specific events/projects, onsite inclement weather warnings, and/or to communicate last minute scheduling changes.

The number above is my preferred mobile phone. I give HVZ my permission to send text messages for the purposes of events I sign up for, weather warnings and last minute scheduling changes.

I do NOT give HVZ permission to communicate with me by text OR I am unable to receive texts.

Emergency Contact Name (First & Last)(Required)

Relation(Required)

Emergency Contact Phone#(Required)

Type of #(Required)

How did you hear about volunteering with us?(Required)

Experience

Please list any previous experience with zoos, aquariums, conservation, education, animal handling/care, youth/families, guest services. Click on the + symbol to the right add each experience. Previous experience is NOT required. It is just a way for us to get an idea of where you’re coming from. 🙂

Role

Business/Org

Time Period

Responsibilities

How did you hear about volunteering with us?(Required)

Why do you want to volunteer with Henry Vilas Zoo?(Required)

Why do you specifically want to volunteer as a Henry/Handler? Why do you think you and your volunteer partner would be good in this role?(Required)

What do you hope to gain from this experience?(Required)

What would you like for us to know about you and how you prefer to work? In other words, how would you like to be supported during your volunteering here?(Required)

About You – Volunteer 2

I am…(Required)

Volunteer Info

Last Name

First Name

Pronouns

Race/Ethnicity

Language(s) Spoken

Shirt Size (S-5XL)

Birthdate (mm/dd/yyyy)

I share the same information below as my volunteer partner…

Address

Contact #

Emergency Contact

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Email(Required)

Mobile Phone#(Required)

Alternate Phone#

Alternate Phone Type

Alternate Phone#

Texting Agreement(Required)

At HVZ we sometimes use texting to communicate with our volunteers for specific events/projects, onsite inclement weather warnings, and/or to communicate last minute scheduling changes.

The number above is my preferred mobile phone. I give HVZ my permission to send text messages for the purposes of events I sign up for, weather warnings and last minute scheduling changes.

I do NOT give HVZ permission to communicate with me by text OR I am unable to receive texts.

Emergency Contact Name (First & Last)(Required)

Relation(Required)

Emergency Contact Phone#(Required)

Type of #(Required)

Experience

Role

Business/Org

Time Period

Responsibilities

Experience

Please list any time you can think of where you helped a person and/or an animal. Maybe you taught someone something they didn’t know before. Maybe you cared for a pet. This will help us get a sense of how to help you as you start volunteering with us. 🙂

Who you helped

How you helped

How old you were

How did you hear about volunteering with us?(Required)

Why do you want to volunteer with Henry Vilas Zoo?(Required)

Why do you specifically want to volunteer as a Henry/Handler? Why do you think you and your volunteer partner would be good in this role?(Required)

What do you hope to gain from this experience?(Required)

What would you like for us to know about you and how you prefer to work? In other words, how would you like to be supported during your volunteering here?(Required)

What do you hope your adult learns from this experience?(Required)

Company/Client Information

Please complete this section with your client

Company/Organization you represent

Direct Supervisor Name

Direct Supervisor Phone#

Direct Supervisor Email

Tell us a bit about how you and your client work together. What do you both need from HVZ in order for this to be a fun and meaningful experience?

What are some personal goals you and your client have identified for this volunteer experience? What might be some challenges?

Is there anything else you would like us to know ahead of time so we can better support you and your client?

Job Coach/Respite Worker Volunteer Policy

Policy Statement: This policy provides guidance regarding expectations for job coaches, respite workers and other caregivers as they relate to the time that they are representing themselves as a member of the HVZ team in a personal or professional capacity.

Guidelines for Henry Vilas Zoo Volunteers assisting in a respite or job coach capacity; hereby referred to as “Direct Support Professional (DSP)”.
1. Volunteer Policy. HVZ holds all DSP’s accountable to the same expectations and policies as any other HVZ volunteer. (See HVZ Volunteer Policy Statement)

2. Volunteer Duties & Client Support. DSP’s volunteer alongside their clients throughout the agreed-upon shift. The HVZ volunteer program advocates for partial support for all volunteers with DSP’s. The DSP should be with their client 90% of the time – allowing them to complete easy tasks on their own, assisting with any challenging tasks, and stepping in when necessary.

3. Communication & Connection. The DSP and their client will work as a team to communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator regarding expectations, goals, successes and, as they arise, challenges. Working together, we strive to make meaningful connections to the Zoo, the community and wildlife in ways that help empower everyone involved.

4. Independent volunteering. Volunteers who start with a DSP and wish to begin volunteering on their own may do so after at least one full season with HVZ. The volunteer, DSP and Volunteer Coordinator will work together as a team to discuss strengths & challenges, measurements for success, and support strategies, for independent volunteering before deciding whether or not to move forward. The decision to allow for independent volunteering is ultimately up to the discretion of the Volunteer Coordinator.

5. Support, Learning & Consequences. DSPs understand that they are part of a pair of volunteers. In the event that a client or DSP violates one of the above expectations, and/or is acting in a manner that is contrary to the mission, vision and values of Henry Vilas Zoo, the Volunteer Coordinator will work with all involved to resolve the situation in a way that everyone can learn, improve and move forward in a healthy manner. Egregious or repeated violation of volunteer expectations may result in suspension or dismissal from the volunteer program.

6. Third Parties. DSP’s working through a third party employer understand that HVZ Volunteer Support staff will reach out to the employer and/or parent/guardian to confirm any assignments.

I have read, understand and agree to the above job coach/respite worker volunteer policy.

Planning your Henry shifts

Weekly Henry shift – 1st preference(Required)

Weekly Henry shift – 2nd preference(Required)

Starting the week of…(Required)

Ending the week of…(Required)

Choose between 2 and 3 special events. Other opportunities will become available throughout the year as well for those interested.(Required)

Henry/Handler pairs at off-grounds events provide their own transportation. HVZ provides the costume. The hosting party provides parking space, changing area and on-event support. Off-site opportunities are always within Dane County.

Early September during the day, Monroe Street Festival @ Monroe Street, Madison (Wave, high five & pose for photos)

Sunday, September 29th, Run Wild @ HVZ (5K/10K/Kids Run. Cheer on runners!)

Early October during the day, Great Pumpkin Giveaway @ Oak Park Bank in Fitchburg

Saturday, October 26th, Boo at the Zoo @ HVZ (10,000+ guests & most in costume)

Early December in the evening, Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony @ Capitol Square (TONS of mascots come!)

Mid December in the evening, Dream Lights @ HVZ (Zoo Lights night specifically for kids in long-term care.)

This role includes an onsite orientation before the start of your first shift. Please choose an onsite orientation date.(Required)

Volunteer Agreements

Dane County Drug/Alcohol Policy for Volunteers(Required)

Dane County volunteers are held to the same expectations and requirements as County staff members when it comes to drugs/alcohol. Below is the policy as it applies to volunteers. Please read it over carefully before confirming that you have read and understand everything list.

Policy Statement: The work place should be free from the hazards posed by the use of alcohol and controlled substances in order to protect the safety of employees and the public. Alcohol and drugs can impair thinking and reasoning and may lead to behaviors that bring the user into severe conflict with their work environment. Misuse of alcohol and drugs/controlled substances among Dane County employees and/or volunteers can have a devastating impact on safety, health and on the efficiency of the workforce.

Dane County Drug/Alcohol Policy

1. Volunteers are prohibited from using alcohol while on duty, and are prohibited from reporting for duty (and from remaining on duty) when their blood alcohol concentration is greater than 0.00

2. Volunteers are prohibited from reporting for volunteering and from continuing to volunteer when under the influence of any drugs/controlled substance. Possession of drugs & controlled substances while on duty is prohibited as defined by statute and administrative rules.

3. Volunteers are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, sale or attempted sale, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of alcohol, drugs/controlled substance, and/or drug paraphernalia when representing themselves as a Dane County volunteer – whether on or off site.

4. Volunteers may be asked to leave and may or may not be permitted to return to the site should the Volunteer Coordinator or other staff hold reasonable suspicion that the volunteer is working while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Reasonable suspicion must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulate observations concerning appearance, behavior, speech or body odors.

I have read, understand and agree to the above drug/alcohol policy for volunteers.

Dane County Social Media Policy(Required)

Dane County volunteers are held to the same expectations and requirements as County staff members when it comes to posting on social media. Below is the policy as it applies to volunteers. Please read it over carefully before confirming that you have read and understand everything list.

Policy Statement: This policy provides guidance regarding the use of social media on behalf of the County, as well as guidance regarding volunteers’ personal use of social media, when that personal communication relates to Dane County government.

Guidelines for Dane County Volunteers’ Personal Use of Social Media

2.1 Volunteers may not make social media posts on behalf of the Dane County unless specifically authorized. If you identify yourself as a Dane County volunteer, then you must make it clear that what you post is representative of your personal views and opinions and not necessarily the views and opinions of the Dane County. Dane County volunteers may not use the Dane County seal or Department logos.

2.2 .Dane County Civil Service Rules require volunteers to use good judgment and to show respect for colleagues and the people we serve. If you’re about to publish something that makes you uncomfortable and it is related to Dane County’s business, please discuss the post with the Volunteer Coordinator. For example, while it is fine for colleagues to disagree, volunteers should not use their personal social media sites or accounts to air differences in an inappropriate or unprofessional manner. Dane County will investigate complaints regarding the use of social media on a case by case basis.

2.3 Certain Dane County volunteers, such as those who provide information to the public) have a higher obligation regarding the use of good judgment and showing respect for the people whom Dane County serves. Due to their positions, these volunteers should not only assume that Dane County colleagues and members of the general public may read what they post on social media, they should be careful not to publish personal thoughts in way that implies they are expressing official Dane County positions.

2.4 Social media blurs many of the traditional boundaries between internal and external communications. Dane County volunteers should be careful not to disclose Dane County confidential or proprietary information on social media (or elsewhere).

I have read, understand and agree to the social media policy.

Volunteer Consent(Required)

Policy Statement: This policy provides guidance regarding volunteer expectations as they relate to the time that the volunteer is representing themselves as a member of the HVZ team in a personal or professional capacity.

Guidelines for Henry Vilas Zoo Volunteers
1. Volunteer Policy. Volunteers understand that they are not employees of Dane County, and are not entitled to compensation from Dane County. Volunteers understand that Dane County will not be paying wages, stipend, or Workman’s Compensation benefits. Finally, they understand that the HVZ volunteer program is not a guaranteed pathway to paid work, nor does it take the place of an internship or job shadow program of any kind.

2. Experience Expectations. Volunteering at Henry Vilas Zoo should be fun and meaningful for every volunteer. If at any point one of those two things becomes the opposite, volunteers can talk with the Volunteer Coordinator, and/or the HVZ staff member who works most closely with them.

3. Behavior Expectations. Volunteers understand that we are all humans working together toward the common well-being of our animals, guests and each other. They show respect, patience and understanding towards all humans on Zoo grounds.

4. Dress Code. Volunteers will wear weather-appropriate clothing with the HVZ logo and/or nametag visible at all times. Shoes will be closed-toed. Henry Vilas Zoo will not be held responsible in the event that a volunteer comes to harm due to inappropriate dress. Volunteers will not wear their shirts or nametags outside of official Henry Vilas Zoo volunteer service.

5. Representation. Volunteers represent the Henry Vilas Zoo any time they are in uniform and/or volunteering with Henry Vilas Zoo in an official capacity. They welcome, listen, include and teach all who come through our gates or interact with us in any way.

6. Communication. Volunteers communicate their questions, concerns, and other ideas in a timely manner to the Volunteer Coordinator and/or HVZ staff member who works closely with them.

7. Health. Volunteers put health first. Volunteers communicate with the Volunteer Coordinator regarding schedule changes related to health. They do not put themselves or others at risk by showing up to volunteer while sick. In the event a volunteer needs to take a break from service due to long-term health issues of any kind, Henry Vilas Zoo will work with the volunteer to coordinate communication over the break.

8. Volunteers give permission to Henry Vilas Zoo to use images of them while on grounds in a promotional capacity for the Zoo and its programs. Volunteers understand that a criminal background check is part of the onboarding process for all adult volunteers.

I have read, understand and agree to the volunteer policy.

Parent Consent (For independent minors)(Required)