IACC Board Chair Sue Hobbs, who represents the Humane Society of Indianapolis, was apparently unaware of how the Board is composed when she convened the May 8 IACC Board meeting. After the other Board members had introduced themselves, she moved on, ignoring interim director Spencer Moore. Moore asked if he too should introduce himself.
“You’re not a Board member,” Hobbs responded.
“Yes I am,” said Moore.
“No, you’re not,” replied Hobbs.
Moore deferred to a member of the city’s legal team, who informed Hobbs that the administrator is indeed an ex officio board member. City code Sec. 251-332 sec 4 states:
In addition to the five (5) voting members, the administrator of the animal care and control division shall be an ex officio, non-voting member of the board.
This exchange occurs at the one-minute mark on the Board meeting video.
Hobbs had already made her feelings about Moore plain during an April 28 interview with Channel 8’s Jessica Smith, just days after Moore was named interim director: “I feel like he (Moore) represents the absolute worst, darkest period in Indianapolis animal welfare.”
Since improving policies and procedures at IACC is a goal for all of the Indianapolis animal welfare community, it’s important to note that this incident does not reflect the attitudes of all animal welfare groups. It indicates a lack of knowledge and civility on the part of one individual. By extension, it reflects on the organization she represents, which might be well served by helping her to see that an adversarial attitude doesn’t advance the cause.
But if a meaningful conversation is going to take place between the city of Indianapolis and the animal welfare community about IACC policies and procedures, many more organizations need to be involved. There is a vast amount of knowledge and leadership available in Indy’s many rescue and sheltering groups. We hope the city won’t permit one representative or one organization to manipulate the dialogue.