4/10/2024
The earth laughs in flowers. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Message from the Coordinator
I am sure you have noticed all of the new volunteer opportunities showing up on SignUp Genius as we ramp up for the garden season ahead. April and May are the busiest months for Master Gardeners and we're all going to need to work together to meet the needs of our communities.
The following are some ways that you can prepare for your Master Gardener volunteer experiences.
Ask-A-Master-Gardener Tables
We often receive requests for RCMG to appear at community events during the growing season. These are called an Ask-A-Master-Gardener or information table. These volunteer activities often provide Master Gardener volunteers an opportunity to personally connect and share your knowledge with area residents. The State Master Gardener Program has developed some helpful resources to assist you with setting up an Ask-A-Master-Gardener/information table at community events.
When you are talking with the participants, make sure to clarify their questions and understand their goals, even if you feel like you know an answer to a question. The new Inclusive Volunteering and Community Engagement modules in the 2024 Core Course have some great suggestions on how to really understand a participant's question. We strongly encourage everyone to review these modules. They will also help you prepare for the gardening and event season that is upon us.
Have fun with these experiences! Share your passion and interest in gardening.
Best Practices
Here are some other best practices to keep in mind while volunteering at community events.
Do your homework prior to the event/activity. Review the SignUp Genius page to make sure you are prepared. Are there themes or topics that you should brush up on? Where is the event located? Are there demonstration gardens or garden resources available in the area?
Get to know the RCMG resources. RCMG provides education kits and other useful tools, props, and items to volunteers for these activities. Check the SignUp Genius page for recommendation on what to bring and contact Darren to schedule a pick-up. Remember to bring things back within 3-5 business days so they are available for other volunteers.
Wear your name badge and maroon gear. Representation, branding and identification with the U of MN Extension and Master Gardener program are important. It helps participants know who we are and that helps them trust the information we share.
SMILE and engage the event participants. Start a conversation. Invite them to come talk with you and ask them questions and share resources. Consider bringing props, photos or items to an event to help start a conversation or attract individuals to the table. Think about ways to connect with individuals of all ages.
Direct participants to good sources of information. As always, do your best to point event participants in the right direction to get additional information. There are great horticulture resources available on Extension's Yard and Garden website and the related Yard and Garden news, but also reliable information through other University websites and government agencies like BWSR, watershed districts, and the DNR.
Share your experiences with us! Take photos. Write a story about the event and include a list of questions that were asked, what were some highlights, favorite moments and what you (or another volunteer at a similar event) might do differently if you were to participate in this volunteer activity again. We often hear about how valuable it is from other RCMG volunteers and we try to include them in newsletters when we get them. Consider sharing your stories. We all learn better, together.
Report Any Problems
If you ever have concerns about an event or if there is ever an incident that involves yourself, another RCMG volunteer, or a participant at the event who was interacting with the RCMG volunteers, please let us know right away. It is our responsibility to make sure that all volunteers feel safe when serving in the community. This can include anything that might not feel right.
Behavioral issues or violations of volunteer Code of Conduct
Injury or Property Damage
General Observation or Concerns (e.g. regarding safety, volunteer performance, host site problems, etc)
RCMG Project Fair on April 23
Due to the snowstorm a few weeks ago, the annual Project Fair is now happening on Tuesday 4/23. This event is highly recommended for all interns and new volunteers in RCMG. It is a great chance for ALL volunteers to learn about the many types of volunteer activities that are available in the coming year. The Project Fair is scheduled for Tuesday, 4/23 from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM; RSVP today!
Badges & Certificates on April 16 & April 23
We will have temporary name badges (for 2024 interns), official name badges and completion certificates (for 2023 internship graduates) and recognition stars and certificates (for volunteers completing 10-, 15-, 20-, or 25-years of service or 1000+ hours of lifetime service in 2023) available for pick-up at both the April meeting on (Tue) 4/16 and a the Project Fair on (Tue) 4/23.
If you are not able to attend either of those dates, contact Darren Lochner to schedule a different pick-up time.
Alternate Badge Request
If you would like to use a name badge without the term "Master Gardener" this season, please complete this form. Temporary, sticker versions of the badge design will be available to volunteers serving on specific projects.
New MG Hats!
Shoutout to Donna Andersen! She worked with the state leadership team and together they added a new MG-branded item—a knit cap! You can buy this from the online Extension store.
SignUp Genius Delivery Errors
Some volunteers are not receiving messages from SignUp Genius, especially those folks using Hotmail, Outlook, Live, and MSN email accounts. If it sounds like you, read on for suggestions on what to do about it.
2024 Directory is LIVE
The 2024 volunteer directory is now available on the RCMG website. Find it on the Quick Links page.
Volunteer Training Spotlight: Designing a new project
The Master Gardener Mission is to share research-based horticultural knowledge and practices through project-based volunteer activities. RCMG already has an extensive array of projects but we are always looking for new ways to engage the community. If you have an idea, review this video about how to design a volunteer project (find slides here) and check out the New Project Proposal Guidelines.
Darren Lochner
RCMG Program Coordinator
Brianna Gohde
RCMG Volunteer Assistant