Managing Your Volunteer Resources
Emily EubanksInterim Florida Master Gardener CoordinatorCommunications Coordinator, UF/IFAS CLCE
My Volunteer Experience
• Interim State Master Gardener Coordinator • Micanopy Friendship 4-H Leader• Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership
Committee
Master Gardeners
• Citizens helping citizens• Extending information• Principles and practices
of environmental horticulture
• Volunteers in action helping to beautify and protect our environment
• Recognized service title
Partnerships
• Cooperative Extension Service• County and State Government• Land-Grant University• USDA• Citizens
MG Program History
• Began in 1972• State of Washington• Based on the premise– Well trained volunteers could respond to many
homeowner questions– Programs now in 50 states and Canada
Mission & Vision
• Mission– To assist Extension Agents in providing research-
based horticultural education to Florida residents.
• Vision– To be the most trusted resource for horticultural
education in Florida.
2014 Numbers
• 4,763 Active Volunteers in 60 Counties• 382,648.39 hours donated• Value: $7.3 Million• 536,524 Clientele Contacts• Reporting– Hours– Contacts– CEUs
Statewide Master Gardener Activity Hours
• 22% Plant Clinics• 18% Work with Demo
Landscapes• 5% Give or Assist with
Presentations• 5% Set-up Exhibits• 5% Work with 4-H or
other youth• 6% Community
Gardens• 1% FYN Program• 18% Other
Demographics
• 55+ years old• Majority women• Caucasian• Retired• Tend to be long-term
volunteers• Voracious information
seekers
Volunteers & Coordinators
• 1 Statewide Coordinator• 58 County Coordinators in 60 Counties• 4,763 Volunteers• Attrition of approximately ¼ each year• Train approximately 1,000 new MGs each year
Volunteer Training
• Trainees receive 50+ hours of initial training • Must provide 75 hours of volunteer time in
the first year as volunteer• 35 hours every year after + 10 CEU hours
Volunteer Training
• County Training– Meetings, field trips, advanced training
• Conferences– Odd Year – Statewide 3-day conference– Even Year – District 1-day conferences (5)– Even Year – Leadership School for MG Exec
Committees– Southern Region– International
Curriculum
• 20 Modules • Fully developed lesson plans– Facilitator’s guide– Participant’s guide and lab book– Powerpoints
• To be released this summer• Will provide baseline of what MGs should
know
Coordinator Training
• In-Service Trainings• One-on-One• Regional Meetings• Conferences• Often will have horticulture knowledge, but no
volunteer management experience
Volunteer Roles
• Every county is different• A good volunteer knows what is expected of
them • Board vs. Committee Structure• Provide ownership and input into the program• Example Roles:– President or Chair– Field Trip Coordinator– Speaker’s Bureau Chair
Volunteer Responsibilities
• Try to match volunteers to their interests, skills, and strengths
• Work to empower them • Give them a duty they are comfortable with or
provide them training to get there
Volunteer Mentors
• Formal vs. informal mentoring program• Veteran MG paired with an MG trainee• Checks on them• Accompanies them to their volunteer
assignments• Explains culture and experiences of MG
program
MG Projects
• Plant Clinics• Demonstration Gardens• Youth Gardens/School Gardens• Speaking• Citizen Scientists• Clerical Help
Disgruntled Volunteers
• Variety of reasons• Often will contact BOCC or UF President/Dean• Hear from all sides• Work towards resolution• Don’t leave an outspoken, disgruntled person
in volunteer group• Volunteers can be fired!
Volunteer Recognition
• Service Awards– Every 5 years– Recognized our first 35 year
volunteer in 2014• Awards of Excellence– Recognized for projects– Competitive application
process– External judges
Association with UF
• Considered an unpaid employee of UF• Must comply with UF/IFAS recommendations• Aware of Sunshine State Law• Protection of UF brand
Identity Management
• Recognized service title that is earned• Maintain our own identity guidelines that
match UF/IFAS policies• “Nascar” issue
Challenges
• Training new demographic of volunteers• Reaching underserved audiences• Maintaining quality control of content• University awareness
Tips
• Only recruit volunteers when you have a specific job for them
• Train them well• Give them ownership• Provide recognition that means something to
them• Make it fun!