Effective Mass Communication

 

When creating mass correspondence through email it is incredibly important to be concise. If the email is not straightforward and to the point, recipients are less likely to view it and understand the scope. Silvia Pignata and Kurt Lushington from the School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia along with  Jeremy Sloan and Fiona Buchanan from b Division of Education, Arts, and Social Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia found that many people delete emails if they even seem unnecessary. “I am ruthless with my email, and use the rules that immediately send some emails to delete or junk or to another folder when they hit my inbox. Those that I cannot filter electronically, I file away almost daily, including the sent box” (Pignata, S, p. 166). If recipients are this unrelenting with their emails, it is super important to show the clear purpose of the email immediately in the subject box. Amber Landis from Parkland College recommends that conciseness and audience emphasis are important when formulating professional emails. “Use short blocks of text and use audience consideration to give them the main point of the email. Do not use a complete sentence” (Landis, Amber and Parkland College Center for Academic Success, p. 1). Obviously, Amber Landis is stressing the importance of conciseness in professional writing. Silvia Pignata, Kurt Lushington, Jeremy Sloan, Fiona Buchanan, and Amber Lanis all agree that without conscience in mass emails, the recipients will be deterred and may miss out on an important opportunity.

 

Facebook as a Communication Platform

 

Facebook in recent years has become a very important and effective platform for all types of communications. Funk and Wagnall’s is a prominent English publisher. In their encyclopedia, they state “Like other new forms of communication, Facebook has changed society. By enabling people to communicate instantly with vast networks of friends, the website helps ideas spread quickly through online ‘word of mouth,’” (Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia) Obviously, Facebook has made a tremendous impact on society, especially when it comes to business communication. Funk and Wagnall’s Encyclopedia also agrees with another article titled “Personality Exploration System for Online Social Networks: Facebook Brands As a Use Case” The authors of this article are Raad Bin Tareaf, Philipp Berger, Patrick Hennig, and Christoph Meinel. All authors of this article are professors at the University of Potsdam in Germany and specialize in internet technologies. “In 2017 more than half of the global population uses the Internet and there are more than 2.7 billion active social media accounts. Therefore, it is no surprise that social media plays a big role in individuals social interaction” (Tareaf, R. B.) With so many people using Facebook, it becomes an effective way for businesses and people far apart to communicate in an online group setting. Facebook can be a beneficial tool when bringing together companies to reach a common goal, and since it has so many users, exclusion issues should be limited.

 

Researching Mapping Resources and Mapping Techniques

 

Mapping systems are used to transport all sorts of things. Large trucking companies use mapping routes to transport their products, schools use mapping systems to transport their students on buses and UPS uses mapping systems to keep track of and ship out their customer’s purchases. Researching the options of a mapping system for Indyhumane has proved to be a difficult task. Many if not all companies use specific interfaces designed specifically for their own companies and they are not keen on sharing that private information. So, locating a mapping system that works for Indyhumane is taking some intense digging. Google Maps is looking like a viable option for Indyhumane. The International Journal of communication (online) feels that Google Maps has created a database that contemporary society could not function without. A resource like google maps serves an important role in our daily lives and could also help IndyHumane.

 

Using MapQuest as a tool to create a Multiple Stop Route

 

MapQuest serves as cost-efficient and user-friendly way to create multiple-stop routes. The official MapQuest.com Route Planner site offers an easily navigable way to input multiple routes which are then sorted for the most efficient timely outcome. This tool is completely free. The official site is very reliable as it has been edited and worked on to best accommodate users. By selecting “Shortest time” the user can ensure that the MapQuest software is rearranging routes for the most efficient plan (Optimize Routes, Save Time). This feature is very important in optimizing multiple-stop routes. The MapQuest customer support page clearly explains how to add multiple stops to your route. “Need to add more stops to your trip? Simply click Add Stop right below your destination field and enter the location. To change an address, click the X to the right of the address and re-enter a new location,” (How to add more stops to your route). This concise explanation gives the user a clear way to maximize their route using MapQuest.

 

Using Google Maps as a possible Mapping Tool

 

Google maps have the ability to create unique and multiple stop mapping systems but only on desktop computers. Creating routes using this tool would be a simple and interesting option for IndyHumane. Google maps are used primarily by individuals wanting to get directions to a destination in a car, by bus or even occasionally walking. Google Maps is a free service that offers an app on smartphones and also has a desktop option. In a study conducted by International Symposium on Geoinformatics 2018, the study found that “the Google Maps application is superior compared to the other two systems studied (Here Wego, and Wisepilot) applications based on four of the five aspects tested: functionality, effectiveness, efficiency, reliability, usability.” Indy humane would certainly be taking a step in the right direction by choosing google maps as their primary mapping system or even as a supplement to the main system.

 

P.E.T.S (Pets Evacuation Transportation Standards)

 

There has been a very big problem regarding the abandonment of pets during natural disasters. Many pets are left behind by their families during crisis situations such as hurricanes and earthquakes.  Because of The Humane Society of the US, there are now standards put into play during events where dogs, as well as other animals, are left behind in shelters and homes. The Humane Society of the US was named "winner" because of its mobilization of supplies and help towards moving animals from shelters and rescuing animals from disaster-hit areas after storms. The Humane Society, as well as other organizations such as Girl Scouts, helped push the approval of PETS (Pets Evacuation Transportation Standards). "communications executives planned ahead and were ready to spring into action as soon as the hurricane had passed" (Crisis Management, 2006,p. 1) The humane society has been helping the transportation of all types of animals from dogs and cats to even farm animals that are trapped in floods and other natural disasters. A lot of these animals are rescued and then returned to their families. The Humane Society along with other organizations such as FEMA shape plans of action to best ensure animal safety. It is important to take into consideration the regulations made for the transportation of pets to ensure the pets and people transporting them a good trip. Several factors need to be taken into account, for example, the number of pets in the car, what kind of animals, do these animals have the recommended shots. Regulations such as the ones mentioned in AVMAS articles regarding transportation and regulations must be considered before wanting to transport any animal. “Most likely, a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) will be required by the authorities at destination.”  

 

Regulations in the Transportation of Pets  

 

Pets are transported from place to place not only during evacuation or natural disasters. Pets are transported around shelters to ensure that all pets have a chance at being adopted before being put down. Often, pets are transported from shelter to shelter because shelters do not have enough resources to accommodate all of the pets being taken in. In many circumstances, animals are transported because they are being rescued from places where they should not be. Because pets such as dogs, cats, or even foxes are transported frequently, standards regarding the transportation of pets have been put in place. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency along with other government groups helped form plans and routes to rescue animals in an emergency as well as non-emergency situations. “While the PETS Act was a catalyst for implementation of preparedness plans at the state and local levels of government, it takes all three documents (PETS Act, PKEMRA, and the NRF) (…)”  The information that I have included must be considered for the recommendation our group has decided to shape. The recommendation we are planning on giving to the Indy Humane must take into consideration that there are rules and guidelines that must be followed.

 

 

 

 

Laws on Adopting Animals

 

 

 

 

There are different laws and regulations for animal rescue organizations and animal ownership. Kristen Praiser, a Michigan State University of Law states “Once a rescue or foster home is licensed, the group will need to acquire companion animals to start their work. Under the law, animals are still considered property and therefore are subject to ownership claims. Rescues and fosters can also work under contract with shelters to take in animals.”  Adoption contracts have to be put in place to prevent the resale of animals for profit after being rescued for a cheaper price. More rescue organizations have put stronger contracts in place for bringing in animals from different shelters as well as adopting out animals to new homes. Although there are not many laws directly covering the regulation of rescues and foster homes, attention should be paid to the broader laws that can apply and take note of changing trends in the law.

 

Humane Societies' Rights and Obligations

 

When an animal gets sent to a shelter, the shelter rights to the animal vary depending on whether the animal is licensed or unlicensed, stray or abandoned. Patricia Bolen discusses the different laws regarding ownership and rescuing. Shelters must know the laws of their state regarding when the title of ownership changes for an animal and what those rights entail. “The holding period protects the owner’s interest and title in the animal, and also protects the animal itself by attempting to return the animal to its caring owner. Allowing the shelter to take title to the animal after the requisite holding period benefits the animal. At that point, when the owner either cannot be found or does not want the animal, the best interests of the animal are determined by the shelter.”