Memorandum of Agreement connects local animal welfare organization with new volunteer and community resource initiative
Partnership Formalized at Rita B. Huff
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Rita B. Huff Humane Society has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with The Volunteer Collaboration, formally joining a developing network intended to connect Walker County residents with local nonprofits, volunteer opportunities and community resources.
Representatives of both organizations signed the agreement during a gathering at the Rita B. Huff Humane Society facility.
The agreement allows Rita B. Huff to serve as one of The Volunteer Collaboration’s initial nonprofit partners and help test services before they are introduced more broadly to the public.
Other local organizations, including Spirit Media, which operates Spirit 94.3 FM, and Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori Schools, have also joined The Volunteer Collaboration through agreements signed separately.
Spirit 94.3 Signs as Media Partner
Rob Hipp signed the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of Spirit Media and Spirit 94.3 FM, pledging the organization’s support as a media partner for The Volunteer Collaboration. Spirit 94.3 plans to help promote the positive work of local nonprofits and connect listeners with opportunities to serve the community.
“The Volunteer Collaboration has the potential to bring our nonprofits, volunteers and community resources together in a way that will make a real difference,” Hipp said. “Spirit 94.3 fully supports this effort, and we are proud to serve as a media partner by helping promote the good happening throughout Huntsville and Walker County.”
Building on Strong Local Nonprofits
Bridget Maloney, president and CEO of The Volunteer Collaboration, said the organization developed after she returned to Huntsville in fall 2022 and began volunteering throughout the community.
“We have phenomenal nonprofits in this town,” Maloney said. “We are incredibly blessed by just the commitment of the people who live in this community and by the quality of effort and commitment that goes into our nonprofits.”
Maloney said she repeatedly heard nonprofit leaders discuss resources that were needed but were not available through one centralized local system.
“There were things that I and other people in this group have seen other places, but that we just didn’t have in Walker County,” Maloney said.
She said the absence of those services was not the fault of Huntsville or Walker County. Programs such as volunteer centers are generally found in larger cities and are less common in communities of Huntsville’s size.
Initial Partners Will Help Shape Services
Maloney said The Volunteer Collaboration invited six nonprofit organizations to become initial partners.
The organizations were selected because of their work in the community and their existing relationships with members of The Volunteer Collaboration.
“You will have an opportunity to access our services before they’re made public,” Maloney told Rita B. Huff representatives.
The initial partners will help The Volunteer Collaboration research programs, test services and gather feedback before expanding them across the community.
Maloney said the partnerships will also provide local examples and photographs that can be used when presenting volunteer programs to businesses and other organizations.
Online Volunteer Center Planned
One of The Volunteer Collaboration’s primary goals is to establish an online volunteer center serving Huntsville and Walker County.
The platform would allow residents to search for volunteer opportunities based on their interests, abilities and preferred type of service.
Someone interested in working with senior citizens, animals or nonprofit office operations could search for organizations seeking that type of help. Opportunities could also include tasks such as data entry for people who prefer behind-the-scenes work.
“You don’t have to go to Google and type in all that stuff and hope to find the things,” Maloney said.
Maloney said established volunteer centers are more common in larger Texas cities, including Houston, Austin, Fort Worth and El Paso.
One Place to Find Community Resources
The Volunteer Collaboration also plans to create an online database of community resources and social services available in Huntsville and Walker County.
Maloney said residents currently do not have one locally maintained place where they can search for assistance.
“We don’t have a place where you or I, if we need a resource, can go and look in just one place to find it,” Maloney said.
The database is expected to include categories such as mental health care, medical services, rental assistance, temporary housing and animal-related resources.
Teachers could use the platform to locate assistance for students and families. Physicians and counselors could also search for services available to patients and clients.
Maloney said the database could help residents find answers to specific needs, including where to obtain pet food or what services are available when someone can no longer care for an animal.
Rita B. Huff Provides More Than Animal Shelter
The discussion surrounding the agreement highlighted the ways Rita B. Huff Humane Society assists both animals and local residents.
Rita B. Huff representatives said the organization provides resources including dog and cat food, collars, vaccinations and low-cost spay and neuter services when available.
The organization has also worked with domestic violence service providers when a pet might prevent someone from leaving a dangerous situation. Rita B. Huff may accept the animal when space is available and an appropriate plan is in place.
Representatives also described helping residents who faced housing consequences because their dogs were not vaccinated.
Rita B. Huff leaders said the organization depends on community donations, volunteers and foster families because it does not receive tax funding to operate.
The organization also shares donated food it cannot use with residents and other community organizations.
Local Information Will Be Reviewed
Maloney said The Volunteer Collaboration plans to verify the information in its community resource database at least once each year.
Users will also be able to report information that appears incorrect or outdated.
“We won’t always be right, but we’ll check those resources at least once a year,” Maloney said. “You’ll be able to click and send us a note and say, ‘Hey, this one seems wrong. Could you check it?’ And we will check it then.”
The organization would review reported information rather than waiting for the next annual update.
Connecting Businesses With Volunteer Opportunities
The Volunteer Collaboration also plans to work with local employers that want to provide workers with opportunities to volunteer.
Maloney said the organization could help coordinate a full volunteer day or recurring service hours between businesses and nonprofits.
The initial nonprofit partners could provide local examples showing the effect of employee volunteer programs on the organization, workers and participating businesses.
Those examples could later be used when inviting other employers to become involved.
Rapid Approval Accelerates Launch
Maloney said the idea for The Volunteer Collaboration began as a calling about a year before the organization was formed.
She first shared the idea with someone in late December and received an immediate offer to help pay the cost of establishing the nonprofit.
The organization developed what Maloney described as an 18-month launch plan. However, its state incorporation was completed in approximately 24 hours, and it received federal tax-exempt approval six days after submitting its application.
Maloney said the organization completed much of its original 18-month plan in approximately four to five months.
She credited the board members and supporters involved with the organization for helping it move forward quickly.
Strengthening Existing Community Work
The Volunteer Collaboration is intended to support existing nonprofits rather than replace the services they already provide.
The organization plans to connect residents and volunteers with local groups while helping nonprofits reach people who need their services.
The agreement with Rita B. Huff Humane Society establishes one of those initial partnerships. Spirit 94.3, Tomorrow’s Promise and other participating organizations have completed or are completing their agreements separately.
The Volunteer Collaboration is continuing work on its volunteer center and community resource database while beginning fundraising and grant efforts.
More Information
The Volunteer Collaboration’s website and other community resources are currently being developed. For now, people interested in learning more may contact the organization through its Facebook page at: