NOTICE: We will no longer have a website application available to the public for security purposes and to avoid spam or information collection from folks who don’t commit to volunteering even after orientation.

All potential applicants must tour our facility first before applying (yes, the tour is a payment-required tour)

At present the process to apply to volunteer at SWFHR is as follows:

1. Schedule a Tour: all new applicants must schedule a “Volunteering Tour” first.
   1. Schedule your Volunteer Tour through the calendar scheduler here –> https://calendly.com/swfhr/volunteering-tour-g.
   2. “Volunteering Tours” are similar to “General Tours”
      1. where applicants will have to cover a tour fee of $10 per adult
      2. there will be more focus on volunteering information during your tour
      3. tours will include ‘facility locations’ (as part of Orientation classes)
         1. basically, a general brief of where the feed, hay, tools, bathrooms, etc. are.
   3. When scheduling, know that the calendar shows 45 days into the future only. If you want to schedule further into the future, you will have to wait until then to apply later.
   4. This way you are familiar with our facility and have an inkling of what work you’ll be facing.
   5. You are not committed to volunteering by scheduling a tour
      1. you do have the option to come back at a later date if you need more time to think about volunteering
   6. All “Volunteering Tours” are to be scheduled between 8 am – 11 am any day of the week available through our scheduler
      1. We want you to see the volunteers in action
2. Complete the Application: if after the “Volunteering Tour” you still want to proceed with the volunteer process, your guide take you to the volunteer computer to complete a volunteer application on-site at our facility
   1. An electronic application is available for you to complete on-site only
      1. we may provide a paper application should
         1. we have problems with our computer or,
         2. you absolutely can not navigate a computer
   2. If you complete a paper application prior, we still would like you to enter your data on the computer (so we don’t have to try and figure out your handwriting)
3. Orientation: After your application is complete
   1. your volunteering direction or Area is to be decided. Areas such as
      1. Equine Care
         1. charge with the upkeep and wellbeing of the rescued equines of SWFHR
      2. Maintenance
         1. Grounds
         2. Construction
         3. Vehicle
      3. Fundraising
         1. Event operations
         2. Grant Writing
      4. Administrative
         1. Accounting (must have experience)
         2. Supply
   2. your guide will introduce you to the facilities as a volunteer will need to know
   3. you’ll be introduced to safety and critical procedural expectations when in and around the horses

EQUINE CARE volunteers (98% of volunteers tend to be in this category)

1. TAG-A-LONG: once your orientation is complete
   1. you may be allowed to tag-a-long with a volunteer for a lite exposure of daily work if there are volunteers to do so
   2. you do not have to do this  it is not a requirement but an allowance if you care to do so
2. Shadow Training: will be held on your first full day of volunteering activities (anywhere from 3 to 5 hours normally)
   1. ‘Shadow volunteers’ or Probationary Volunteers will be vetted after multiple visits for knowledge and ability
   2. You will be expected to show up at the normal start time for the day you’ve chosen. (i.e., 7 am or 8 am depending on the day)
      1. Exceptions can be made. Discussion with the volunteer coordinator will apply.
   3. You will be attached to the senior volunteer or volunteer coordinator of the area you are assigned to. You’ll be taught the protocols for
      1. safety & procedural expectations when in and around the horses
      2. feeding
      3. treatments
      4. grooming
      5. barn & paddock cleaning
      6. If deemed needed, you may be marked for class instruction needed
         1. At present time instructors are limited and may not be readily available
         2. Classes may be held on a later date

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY LEVELS

1. Probationary Volunteers
   1. those not knowledgeable enough about their area to operate on their own
2. Established Volunteers: Volunteers who operate without heavy direction and can work by themselves
   1. Usually between 5 & 10 visits
   2. Once you can verb your section of the facility and its horses and chores and other senior volunteers can vouch for your abilities. You’ll then be classified as an Established volunteer.
   3. Even when you are considered established or independent, you may find yourself paired with another volunteer at the discretion of the volunteer coordinator. For reasons like equally distributing daily volunteers and work for the day.
3. Core Volunteers: deemed as a volunteer with more than 50 total days of volunteering and more than 6 months of continuous volunteering.
   1. these volunteers are allowed to hold positions of administration or other areas associated with the organization.

VOLUNTEER STATUS LEVELS

1. Active Volunteers
   1. performed some volunteer activity within the last 30 days
2. Semi-Active Volunteers
   1. performed some volunteer activity between 30 and 90 days ago
3. Dormant Volunteers
   1. snowbird volunteers that are due to return 
4. In-Active Volunteers
   1. performed some volunteer activity between 90 days and 1.5 years ago
5. Expired Volunteers
   1. no involvement for 1.5 years
   2. no advisement of return or delay
6. Retired Volunteers
   1. those who’ve moved and obtained an Established Activity while volunteering
   2. advised of completion of volunteering