Dear Leadership Cattaraugus,
My name is Dan Evans, I am the owner of Pleasant Valley Greenhouses & Nursery on Route 16 in Olean. About two and a half years ago I was asked by one of our customers, Marcia Kelly, who is a very active volunteer at the SPCA in Cattaraugus County, to help with forming a new board of directors to lead the SPCA. The SPCA had fallen onto hard times, its former longtime director was removed, and a fresh management team was needed to insure its survival. Over the last fifteen years I was fortunate to have adopted two beautiful dogs from the SPCA, and I realized the need was urgent, and great, so after some thought, I accepted Marcia Kelly’s offer.
A new board of directors was then formed. There were many areas of the physical building that were in very poor shape, the roof was deteriorated, and leaked badly in many places. During a rainstorm the sidewalks inside were wet, it is hard to imagine. The insulation in the attic space was also deteriorated, and much of it missing, the heat went right out of the building very quickly in the winter. The SPCA at that time had many back bills that were owed. The SPCA also had virtually no day to day management in place, or internal processes. The new board really had its work cut out for it.
Fast forward to today, two and a half years later and much progress has been made. Today the Board of Directors consists of myself as Chairman, Eric Firkel, an area Attorney as Vice Chairman, Michele Oakes Bell as Secretary, Tammy Samborski from Dresser Rand (Siemens) working as Treasurer, Ruthie Studley from Community Bank NA, Trust Department, and Ronnie Schenkein, a retired Veterinarian from Coudersport, Pa.
Thanks to area business leader Mel Duggan, a fundraiser was started to pay for a new roof and insulation. The SPCA got the new roof, and insulation in the attic space, in 2016. That new roof saved the building, and the new insulation has made the building hold heat in the winter. The SPCA now has a manager in place, and is run in a businesslike manner. The Board of Directors has made great progress in paying off most of the past debts, and the future is looking much brighter at this time!
I am writing today because the SPCA still has a great need for Professionals as Board Members, and Professionals as Volunteers. The main areas right now with the greatest need are Accounting, Marketing, Fundraising, Human Resources, Facilities Management, to name a few. With the SPCA receiving most of its operating money from donations and fundraisers, it is still a struggle to meet the weekly obligations. It will take some very talented and committed people to move the SPCA ahead to “the next level” and to sustainability.
Do you have a love for cats and dogs? Or horses and farm animals? There are many stray, abandoned and abused animals in Cattaraugus County that have depended on the services of the SPCA to rescue them and move them into good, caring homes. If you, or someone you know is a committed and hard working person with a certain talent and a passion for animals, the SPCA really needs your help! Please join us in giving the SPCA a sustainable future, and making Cattaraugus County a great place to live.
Our Board of Directors meets the third Thursday of every month, at 6 pm, in the Conference Room at the JCC Olean Campus, in the College Center Building. I have included my contact information, or please feel free to speak with any Board member, or Volunteer that you may know.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Dan Evans
Dan Evans
Chairman, Board of Directors, SPCA in Cattaraugus County.
Dan Evans
2871 Rt. 16
Olean, NY, 14760
716-373-2929
daepvg@gmail.com