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J!.IN-05-01 04:54 PM P-IIHS 8053294618 P. 02 HAWAII ISLAND Junc S, 2001 ~U Fax to all County Coeutril Ivlembers~ ItE; Anitt~al Control Budget for Fiscal Year 2001 and FII~ Pig Hunting Adoption Policy; Dcar County Council M~e~rtbers: Mahalo for your support and hard work regarding E#nimal Control. Some of you have actively helped to advocate for appropriate services and accountability. Sonee of you have worked to introduce legislation that ultimately Hawaii Island Humane Society feels will be a positive step in the right direction. some of you have ats® taken the time to v;.sit the shelters and learn fir:~t hand what we do and why. ~°hank you. In spite of recent complaint letters regarding the HIl°IS's new policy toward pig hunters, we feel that this or~e~year vial is the carr~;ct thing to do. ~°his specific issue aside, the ~IifiS has grave legal, contractual, and non-profit board rrtember authority and responsibility concerns about the attaching the pig hunting polic°~ to the Animal Control budget: • Adoption policies are not part of the animal control contract. it is the responsibility of the HI~IS non-profit board rnernbers to set those policies, • The Adoption program is not funded by the County Anieraal Control contract. • Non-profit laws diorite that only non-profit board members are able to make changers and develop policies and procedures. • L)oes this set a precaient where any and all policies and procedures can be changed or influenced by the County Council? Board members undergo extensive training and orientation to the their role, responsibilities, and the philosophical position of the non-profit entity of which they arc a part. In recent months, the la1IHS has been able to takc positive steps toward working with Councilwomen Pissichio, West Hawaii Humane Society, Councilman Yagong, arui the various pig hunting groups, because hIIHS board rneanbers have the authority to make decisions that best acconeplish our mission. T~irectly or indirectly take away their authority, and the ability to make positive change is also goa~e. Ifthc County Council's intent with the recent pig hunting policy vvas to change it, I believe that it has worked very well with the I-IIHS to make sure that what is best for th~s animals and people of th,~ Big fsIand is upheld, But is the intent of the County Council to talcs away the authority of the HIHS board rnernbers7 Some may argue that b~ause this clause is attached to the budget, it is not directly f®rcing or making any gfli"IS policy changes. T`cChnicalities a§Bde, v~rhert one