Humane Society elects new directors, announces significant donation

The Highland County Humane Society has chosen a new trustee for its financial trust and has elected five new board members, following a reorganizational meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

The meeting was conducted by Robert Hodson, who has been involved with the organization for over 30 years.

Hodson said the meeting was called to address the society's "current lack of leadership," as three members of the society's board, which must consist of at least five members according to the organization's bylaws, have recently resigned.

"Of the two members remaining, one was elected at the regular annual meeting, and the other was appointed to fill an unexpired term," Hodson said. "Two people do not make a quorum, thus no decisions or actions could be made."

Previous board members included president Joyce Finke and treasurer Margot Ayres, with member Lesley Lightner and secretary Bob Lambert still serving on the board.

Hodson thanked the previous board members for their dedicated service in the past two years "that went beyond expectations in many instances."

Hodson said that in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code, which states that "any or all directors may be removed with or without cause by a majority vote of the voting members at any meeting of members called for that purpose," the society decided to elect five new board members.

John Levo made a movement to terminate Lightner's and Lambert's positions on the board, which passed.

Russ Newman then conducted an election of five new board members proposed by the nominating committee. Newman, along with Mike Rector and Dr. Robert Sharp, served on the reorganization and nominating committee for the society.

Nominated and elected to serve on the society's board of directors were Gayle Coss, Howard Falk, James Wikstrom II, Jeff Vickers and Sue Ludwick Smith.

Newman also introduced the center's employees: Melanie Dodson, who has served as the director for 15 years; Pam Brokaw, who serves as the bookkeeper and as Humane Officer of the County; and part-time employees Sandra Lowe and Melanie Wical. Dodson and Brokaw each gave a brief overview of the shelter's activities and responsibilities, along with the number of animals and adoptions they have overseen in the past year.

Hodson also credited the hardworking volunteers who help employees with a number of shelter responsibilities and who assisted with the meeting and the society's reorganization. and encouraged those who are interested to reach out and find out ways to help.

Volunteer Amy Schneider was awarded a blue ribbon in recognition of her hard work in recruiting new members to the Humane Society.

"She has worked with many fundraising projects in both ideas, suggestions and conducting such needed activities," Hodson said of Schneider. "She is an idea person and always thinking of new ways to fill a need."

Hodson pointed out that the Humane Society does not receive any public funds and is dependent upon fundraising and gifts, along with the funds the society receives from the C.I. Ringer Memorial Trust. Levo has accepted the role as trustee of the Ringer Memorial Trust.

Hodson reported a touching story of one such gift the society received recently from the late Jack Chaney, a former insurance agent and business owner in Hillsboro, and his late wife, Martha Schweinsberger Chaney.

According to Hodson, the Chaneys had neighbors who adopted a wire-haired terrier from the Humane Society's shelter in 1990. The neighbors allowed the dog to "visit" with other homes in the neighborhood.

At the Chaneys' home, the dog "would yap and yap until receiving a treat," Hodson said. "Soon that yap turned into the name 'Jap.'"

Hodson said the dog and the Chaneys fell in love with each other, with Jap "adopting" the Chaneys and traveling with them. The couple, who traveled across the country, would take the dog with them on short trips but eventually began to take him with them to spend winters in Arizona.

"The original owners willingly gave up ownership of Jap as he became such an important member of the home of Jack and Martha Chaney," Hodson said.

Twenty-four years later, the Chaneys have posthumously thanked the Humane Society for bringing Jap into their lives.

"This past Monday, October 20, I was handed this envelope," Hodson said. "In it, I removed this check made payable to The Highland County Humane Society from the estate of Martha Schweinsberger Chaney in the amount of $83,405.18.

"Thank you, Jack and Martha, and thank you, Jap, for the important role you played in their lives."

Paulette Donley, who volunteered as secretary for the meeting, said that many audience members were moved to tears by the story.

"Bob Hodson's presentation of the Chaneys' memorial (for Jap) was so moving," Donley said. "I cried, and as I looked at the audience, men and women were wiping their eyes."

(Editor's note: Thank you to Paulette Donley for her assistance with this article.)