The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Jenny Cohen is the recipient of the January 2012 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Congratulations to Jenny Cohen, our January GRRA™ Volunteer of the Month! The holidays are always a great time to reflect on past accomplishments and plan for future success. Jenny's help over the last 10 years has been instrumental in the growth and evolution of GRRA™, and 2011 was no exception as she provided specific strategic legal insight to ensure a smooth transition to the new and improved GRRA™ organizational and operational structure. As an attorney by trade, Jenny's legal skills influence everything from daily operations under the by-laws and policies and procedures to ensuring GRRA™'s longevity through appropriate insurance and liability protection.

Jenny initially got involved in GRRA™ in 2001 under Joan Sample's leadership. When Jenny and her husband moved to Atlanta in 2000, they had one golden with severe hip dysplasia and ear problems. Bailey was a very special teenage golden who had two hip surgeries during his first year of life, and sprung right back into high golden gear. As a result of their experience and compassion for dogs with serious health issues, both Jenny and her husband wanted to help other dogs with medical issues. Jenny initially started volunteering as a Foster and Adoption Day helper. She was also a long-term member of the GRRA™ board from 2002 - 2007, serving as the Secretary and Calendar Editor (until 2008). During this time, you could often see Jenny at Adoption Days with her oldest daughter, Elizabeth, in a sling and a foster golden. With the expansion of her family (canine and human alike), Jenny then transitioned onto the Advisory Board and has served in a legal consultative capacity ever since.

While many of the newer GRRA™ volunteers may not have met Jenny, she is a key contributor behind the scenes. She notes that "it was easy to stay involved" and transition into a role that still helps GRRA™ dogs find great forever homes. Jenny's advice to new volunteers is to "volunteer in your areas of strength because you get so much more out of the experience if you stay true to your interests, and you end up staying involved longer." This approach allows Jenny to remain a key GRRA™ thought capital contributor while also being a stay at home Mom and professional volunteer at both of her daughters' schools (Elizabeth, 6, and Cecilia, 3).

Jenny's most memorable experience as a volunteer involved protecting the GRRA™ brand from another organization attempting to pass themselves off as GRRA™. She successfully resolved this situation with golden tact, and also developed a blueprint for handling difficult dog behavioral situations.

As an avid runner, Jenny regularly participates in 5Ks, 10Ks, and half-marathons, most recently completing the Thanksgiving half-marathon. Next up: the Publix half-marathon in March! We'd like to thank Jenny for her ongoing contributions to GRRA™ over the last 10 years, as well as her family and two senior goldens (Bailey, 12, and Ribbie, 10). Thank you, Jenny, for your passion and commitment to GRRA™. And, congratulations for being our January 2012 GRRA™ Volunteer of the Month!

Lori Kauffman, who passed away in 2007, was a GRRA™ volunteer who wanted to ensure that GRRA™ continued to do its valuable work. Lori wanted people to know, "Dogs are not disposable. Having a dog is a lifelong commitment. They are an equal part of the family".

If you are aware of a volunteer's efforts that exemplify what is needed to make our volunteer organization survive and thrive, please send a note to volunteer@grra.com. Monthly Nominations are due by the 17th of each month. Click here to see previous award winners.