Thanks for the recognition, Nancy!! I just wanted to take this opportunity to let everyone know if you have EVER had an interest in doing phone screens or even classes, please explore these activities!! I have been able to meet and talk to so many wonderful and conscientious people. The experiences have also helped me to be less jaded and realize that many things occur because of lack of education... once people have someone or someplace to get info. they drink it up and gladly ask questions. And, I've found that it's okay to not know something and let them know that, but just offer up some of my own experience. Everyone I've talked to has been very appreciative, even when I have had to gently talk to them about something they may be doing "wrong". It's about bringing understanding to them. I was very nervous doing my first phone screens, but Mickaboo provided a great outline of what to do and what things to ask and focus on. As I provided my notes on the phone calls, they provided support and gave me feedback so I understood more about what they are interested in knowing. Once I had a few under my belt, and started to relax, I began to REALLY enjoy the phone screens and the people. It's a great experience and now I look forward to doing the phone screens... hey Nancy, when's my next one?!!! :-) Karen ---- Nancy Powell wrote:

Hi Everyone-- First of all I want to thank all the people who are stepping up to do phone screens and home visits. Everyone is jumping right on these tasks and sending in very comprehensive notes. As a result, we have a steady stream of applicants ready for approval. Budgies have been flying out the door (not literally, fortunately) and we have several great tiel homes in the process of choosing their new adoptees.

SUSIE SWENSEID and KAREN MIERTA deserve special mention because they both do A LOT of phone screens and do an amazing job. I always send them the "tough cases", and they never flinch :-) KELLY ANGEL has also been our 'go-to' person in the East Bay and has sent in excellent reports. VIRGINIA SCRIBNER and CONNIE KELLERS handle a lot of the SF traffic and, as we continue our schedule of regular classes, that job is getting bigger and bigger. PATTY BLAU takes on phone screens and also does the majority of home visits in the North Bay. (I know I'm forgetting people, but forgive me....it's the best I can do.....)

We have some new people who have joined the fray as well: BRIAN GREGER (just one of the many things he's doing for Mickaboo!), BRIANA SAUSSY, and MARTHA KUDLACIK are all recent recruits.

SUSAN ZIZUMBO taught a phone class on doing phone screens and will be teaching another one, so if you'd like to sign up, let me know, and we'll get one scheduled. If everyone did one home visit or phone screen a month, we could spread these tasks out so it would be easier for everyone.

The other wonderful news is that we had some takers for the Admin tasks I posted about:

CATHY HESSE who already answers 'mail@mickaboo.org' will also be doing ' class@mickaboo.org' STACY REED is good to go with the tools she needs to help with Admin - tasks TBD KC DAVIS has also offered to help in this area, so we're in the process of setting things up LINDA BOSTROM may help Michelle with Budgie Coordination (fingers crossed!) SHARON ERWIN 're-upped' to enter class participants in ASM

Thank you Mickabooers! Great to have everyone involved.

--Nancy

-- Nancy Powell Operations Manager Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue www.mickaboo.org