WHS Wins Wisconsin Better Business Bureau 2005 Torch Awards

The Wisconsin Humane Society has been named the non-profit winner of the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau's 2005 Torch Awards for Business Ethics and Integrity. This honor was announced at an awards presentation and luncheon on
October 19, 2005, held at the Italian Conference Center.

“All of us at the Wisconsin Humane Society are excited to be recognized for exemplary ethical business practices,” said Victoria Wellens, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Humane Society. “Our employees work tirelessly to save lives, and do so with honesty, respect and kindness. We are truly honored to receive this prestigious award – the first year that a non-profit was eligible for recognition.”

To participate in the awards competition, a community representative first nominated the Wisconsin Humane Society. The Better Business Bureau then invited the Wisconsin Humane Society to participate in the entry process.

To be considered, the Wisconsin Humane Society filled out a comprehensive award application that addressed ethical business practices, customer service, advertising and marketing initiatives as well as ethical practices within our industry and the community.

For more information about the 2005 Torch Awards, please visit www.wisconsin.bbb.org .

The Wisconsin Humane Society has been named for the second time as one of the “Best Places to Work” in Southeastern Wisconsin by Milwaukee Magazine! For more information, click here to see why WHS is one of the top ranked “small companies” in Southeastern Wisconsin.

“Congratulations to you and to your company on your recognition as one of Milwaukee Magazine's ‘2005 Best Places to Work in Southeastern Wisconsin.' …It's organizations such as yours that ‘raise the bar' and make the Milwaukee area a better place to work. …The Wisconsin Humane Society is a shining example of a great place to work.” – Susan Fronk, President and CEO – MRA/The Management Association, Inc.

The Wisconsin Humane Society was also named one of the top ranked "small companies" in Southeastern Wisconsin in 2002. To learn more, click here .

2004 was filled with many noteworthy accomplishments. WHS and OHS strive for improvement in all ways that animals are served in our facilities and in the community — and it hasn't gone unnoticed.

• WHS was the only humane society invited to participate in the State of Wisconsin 's Animal Emergency Management Plan. The approved Wisconsin Animal Health Emergency Management System outlines the responsibilities of "stakeholder" agencies and organizations in animal-health emergencies, including natural and manmade disasters as well as disease outbreaks.
• The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA) awarded Victoria Wellens, Executive Director of the Wisconsin and Ozaukee Humane Societies, with the credential of Certified Animal Welfare Administrator. Wellens met stringent eligibility requirements and passed a rigorous certification exam that measured her knowledge, skills and achievements.
• Victoria Wellens was one of three national animal welfare leaders asked to participate in the American Humane Association's Leadership Forum. This forum is a place where policies are discussed and solutions are sought. Victoria Wellens was acknowledged by Wisconsin Woman Magazine for making a difference in 2004.
• Scott and Cheryl Diehl, WHS' Wildlife Managers were invited to serve as working members of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Committee. This committee works closely with the DNR and the Wisconsin rehabilitation community to implement new regulations pertaining to wildlife rehabilitation in the state.
• Scott Diehl and Dr. Randy Zeman, WHS Veterinary Manager, served on the Milwaukee/Waukesha/Washington County Urban Areas Security Initiative Animal Health and Agriterror Committee, part of the United States Homeland Security.

The 2003 Nonprofit Management Award for Board Governance was presented to the Wisconsin Humane Society Board for exemplary performance and achievement in nonprofit management excellence in Greater Milwaukee. At the Wisconsin Humane Society, leadership starts at the top, a responsibility the Board takes seriously. Since deciding to challenge their activities and truly lead, the organization has experienced meteoric improvements. Using a well organized, policy driven approach, starting with mission and outcomes, the Board has specific policies that relate to every aspect of the business and the impact that they want to have for animals, our community and the organization’s staff. Deeply committed to the mission, Board members work tirelessly to promote and build capacity, always with an eye on the big picture.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Wisconsin Humane, Ken Lamm, Board President from 2000 to 2003, said, “Our board is always questioning how we can improve life for animals and it is really rewarding to participate with an organization that is doing so much good.”

The award was developed and given out by the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee. WHS was featured in a special publication of The Business Journal.

The Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management is an academic center at UWM that aims to strengthen the management, leadership and governance of metropolitan Milwaukee nonprofit organizations through education, research and other capacity building services. The Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, the largest association of its kind in the state, provides training, technical assistance and consultation to nonprofits, promotes the nonprofit sector and facilitates collaboration among nonprofits.