Volunteer Resources

Updated 2/02/2026

For All Volunteers

These are intended for all volunteers in the Extension program. The official policies and procedures link to information from the State Extension Office and are used by volunteers across the state, while the Volunteer Resources and Project Tools are specific to Ramsey County volunteers.

Best Practices & Recommendations

• Ask-A-Master-Gardener Event/ Q&A Booth Best Practices (Document)

• Recording Your Time (blog page)

• Sign-up Etiquette (blog page)

• SignUp Genius Introduction (blog page)

• Smarter Online Searches (blog page)

• Strategies for Finding a Substitute (blog page)

• Telling Your Volunteer Stories (blog page)

Event & Activity-Specific Tools

• Absentee Volunteer Reporting (Form)

• Incident Report (Form)

• Media Release Comparison Reference Document (See also Media Release Form) (Document)

• Project Highlight & Stories Form (Form)

General Program Tools & Resources

• Accessing Ramsey County Volunteer Spaces (blog page)

• Award Nomination Form & Guidelines (Form)

• Contact Info Change Request Form (Form)

• Directory (Document)

• Lending Library Book List

• Project & Activities Catalog (Document)

• Purchase RCMG Apparel (online store)

• Report a Website Issue or Concern (Form)

• Sign Up Genius (website)

• Skills & Interest Form (Form)

• Volunteer Website Accounts List of Log-ins (PDF)

• Volunteer Status Options (blog page)

Policy and Procedures

• Background Check (webpage)

• Background Check Renewals (blog page)

• Master Gardener Volunteer Manual (Document)

• Safety of Minors Training (webpage)

• State Program Policies and Procedures (webpage)

State-wide Volunteer Opportunities

• State Program Website (website)

• Yard and Garden Line, Minnesota State Fair, and Ask Extension

• At-Home Projects

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For Project Leads & Shift Leads

The items below are designed to support project leads, committee chairs, shift leads, and other volunteers taking a leadership role in volunteering activities. It includes the forms to design new project and activities, tools for adapting to weather situations, and instructions for reporting and documenting projects and activities.

Returning Projects (For Shift and Project Leads)

• Absentee Volunteer Reporting (Form)

• Inclement Weather Guidelines (Document)

• Project Highlight Form (Form)

• Shift Lead Responsibilities (blog post)

• Sign Up Genius Sub Admin Training (Document)

New Projects (for Project Leads)

• New Project Proposal (Form)

• Project Leader Role Description Template

• Project Leader Training (blog post)

Funding Information (for Project Leads)

• External Funding Sources (blog page)

• Purchasing Policy (Document)

Annual Reporting Tools (for Project Leads)

• Project After Action Report Template (Document)

• Project Highlight Form (Form)

• Project Reporting Form (Form, 2026)

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References

Focus Groups, Task Forces & Committees