Sconyers Named Executive Director for Humane Society

By CARLA WILLIAMS, Staff Writer cwilliams@minotdailynews.com

From helping the men and women of Minot Air Force Base to presently helping the four-legged creatures in Minot, Kathy Sconyers has done it all. Sconyers became the executive director for the Souris Valley Humane Society on June 3.

The retired Air Force chief master sergeant served her country for 30 years in the Air Force.

“I entered the Air Force in 1974 when women were just coming into the maintenance career field, and it was tough. However, I succeeded with the men I worked with, making me work harder and determined to succeed regardless of what they said,” Sconyers said.

“The best job I did have though in the Air Force was taking care of people as the command chief of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base.”

Sconyers, who decided to stay in Minot after retiring, never in her mind thought she would become the executive director for the humane society. She is originally from the Minnetonka area in Minnesota.

“I had seen the announcement on Job Service and thought to myself that I qualified because of my love for animals and for my previous management and leadership positions. I didn’t apply for the job at the time because I thought somebody else was more qualified,” the executive director said.

“However, somebody from the community told me to put in for it, and here I am now. The humane society board and the staff are great to work with.”

Now with the humane society a little more than two months, she is allowing herself time to get her feet wet and has many goals for the Souris Valley Humane Society.

“My biggest goals for the humane society are how to best serve the Minot community and to let them know we do a community service for them, make this a place where you really want to come to work and ultimately what is best for the animals in getting them adopted,” Sconyers said. “It is all about the animals, as we speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. Without us, where would the animals go?”

Currently in setting out the goals in serving Minot and letting the public know about community service provided by the organization, Sconyers said that the humane society is working on a two-fold membership outreach program.

“We are not only working on getting our memberships including families, single people and senior citizens to join the humane society, but now we’re working on a corporate membership program to try to get the businesses in Minot and the surrounding communities to get involved with us. Corporate membership is a huge drive for the future,” Sconyers said. “If the public has a big interest in the humane society and thinks it’s important, then the businesses will think the same thing. The ultimate success of the Souris Valley Humane Society relies on membership.”

In order to get membership, Sconyers said that the 10-member staff has to be running correctly internally.

“With the staff, we run this place seven days a week, even when we’re not open to care for the animals. If we aren’t running the way the community wants it to run, then there won’t be any support,” Sconyers said. “We want to set up the humane society like a business with goals, visions and plans – both long and short-range.”

Sconyers also said the humane society is considering giving a face-lift to the building itself and how to best utilize the space to make the animals more adoptable, possibly changing the shelter’s hours and constantly looking at different ideas for fundraisers.

“There is so much growing to do here,” Sconyers said. “Nothing is too crazy to think of and look at. There is so much we can do.”

According to Sconyers, without the Minot community’s support, the humane society wouldn’t be going anywhere.

“There has been a tremendous outreach from the community,” Sconyers said. “The humane society is always looking for volunteers and donations. No matter how big or small, everything helps.”

Sconyers said the humane society’s priority wish list items include kitty litter, bleach, kong toys (little toys that treats are put into for mental stimulation for dogs), and Crystal White dish liquid. This particular brand of dish liquid is pet friendly.

The Souris Valley Humane Society hour of operations are 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The shelter is closed Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays.

For more information or to volunteer, call 852-6133 or visit (www.svhspets.com).