How Humane Animal Welfare Society Cut Admin Time by 87.5% with Get Connected

In this case study, Devon shares how the Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) improved its volunteer application process by using Get Connected’s volunteer management software.

This enabled HAWS to invest their 7 hours of saved time each week into new volunteer engagement strategies.

Let’s dive in!


Devon Magdic is the Program Director at the Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) in Waukesha, WI

3 Steps to Saving Time with Volunteer Applications

Step 1: Streamlining the Application Process

Devon began by revamping the volunteer application process with their new Get Connected volunteer site.

The Get Connected volunteer portal simplified how volunteers submitted applications, creating a better volunteer experience from the start.

Volunteers could complete their applications online and submit them directly through the platform, eliminating repetitive manual steps for administrators.

Step 2: Improving Volunteer Screening and Approval

HAWS used Get Connected's automation features to improve the volunteer onboarding process.

By automating approvals, notifications, and qualifications, they ensured that only vetted and approved volunteers could proceed.

Devon customized automated emails to guide volunteers through signing up for orientation and training sessions, eliminating back-and-forth communication. Volunteers could now complete approvals and schedule their training in a single day, significantly reducing the time spent on manual application processing while maintaining HAWS’ standards.

Step 3: Recognizing and Engaging Volunteers

With the 7 hours she saved weekly from simplifying the application process with Get Connected, Devon implemented regular biweekly newsletters celebrating volunteer milestones and contributions. 

This has fostered a stronger sense of community and motivation among volunteers, cultivating a more engaged volunteer base.

Reduced Weekly Time Spent Processing Volunteer Applications

Devon used to spend 8 hours each week processing volunteer applications with their previous volunteer management platform.

This task alone took up 32 hours per month!

By choosing Get Connected as their new volunteer management technology, they were able to not only ensure volunteers applications were properly vetted and processed prior to volunteering, but they reduced their weekly time spend to 1 hour—saving 28 hours of time per month on the task of application processing alone! 

28 hours Saved Every Month After Switching to Get Connected!

32 hours of monthly time dedicated to processing volunteer applications was reduced to 4 hours.

A total time save of 28 hours per month on one administrative task alone. This allowed Devon to kickstart volunteer engagement initiatives that had been put on the back burner because of time.

Achieving Results with Get Connected

What did gaining 28 hours of time back per month mean for the HAWS volunteer administrator and their organization?

• 87.5% Reduction in Administrative Time: The time required to process volunteer applications decreased dramatically, from 8 hours to just 1 hour per week. This allowed HAWS to allocate 20% more of their workweek to other important initiatives focusing on volunteer engagement.
  
  
• Improved Onboarding Efficiency: Automated processes ensured new volunteers could start contributing quickly—getting volunteers engaged from day one!
  
  
• Enhanced Volunteer Engagement: With the additional 7 hours of time saved from processing applications, Devin was able to focus on new volunteer engagement strategies. She used Get Connected’s communication tools to implement bi-weekly volunteer newsletters to improve their community connection and celebrate contributions.
  

Empowering Animal Welfare Organizations with Get Connected Volunteer Technology

Get Connected volunteer technology has proven to be a game-changer for HAWS.

By streamlining volunteer management with their Get Connected site, HAWS staff can now focus more on engaging volunteers in their mission—rescuing and caring for animals—and less time on administrative tasks.

Devon Magdic is the Program Director at the Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) in Waukesha, WI.

In this role, she oversees the Behavior Department, Humane Education Department, and the Schallock Center for Animals, a 77-acre horse farm. Prior to her current position, Devon served as the Volunteer Coordinator for nearly three years, during which time the volunteer  base grew to over 400 active volunteers each week.


The Humane Animal Welfare Society has used Get Connected volunteer technology since June 2022.

Learn how Get Connected can save you time by scheduling a complimentary 1-on-1 consultation for your organization.