Former Humane Society Board President Calls For Rehiring Of Former Director

humanesocietyofswm-3
humanesocietyofswm-3

The former board president of the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan says it’s in the best interest of the organization and the animals to bring back Jill Svoboda as the executive director. Svoboda resigned in February after what former President Don Blackmond tells us had been micromanagement by the board.

“The board was interested in dictating the days and the hours that the shelter was open, some of the fundraising stuff that she and her staff were doing, things like that,” Blackmond said.

Blackmond believes the board shouldn’t operate in that way, and says it had not for many years prior to the current board. He stepped down as the board president in November of 2019, when Ron Clemm became president. After that, Blackmond stayed on as a regular board member until resigning this January. Svoboda resigned from the Humane Society the following month alleging a toxic atmosphere. Blackmond credits her with making the organization a success during her 13 years as director, getting the new shelter paid for and built.

“One of the reasons why the organization is so successful is because of her. She’s an intelligent person, her heart is in the right place for the animals, she’s able to make good decisions, and she’s done a very good job to make the shelter run successfully and be something that other animal welfare organizations look to.”

The board says irregularities were found when it went into the shelter after the resignation of Svoboda and her staff, which led to a police investigation. Blackmond doesn’t believe Svoboda would be responsible for any financial irregularities, telling us she had no access to financial accounts.

“It was the treasurer and the secretary and the board president that could sign checks, and bills would arrive and be given to the executive director, who would turn them over to the treasurer. The treasurer would cut the checks and sign the checks, and then we had an outside third party CPA firm do an audit each year.”

Blackmond says Svoboda did have access to petty cash and a medical fund, both of less than $1,000. He tells us he has no axe to grind with Clemm or anyone else, but believes it’s in the interest of the shelter and the animals for Svoboda to be brought back and Clemm to step down. A protest in support of Svoboda was held outside the shelter Tuesday.