2016 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program

2016 Master Gardener

Volunteer Training Program

The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a joint effort by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) and its trained volunteers to deliver the best research-based information about horticulture to Suffolk County residents. Since 1977, CCE has been training gardeners to become volunteers who offer personal time to improving horticultural practices in their communities. These certified Master Gardener Volunteers disseminate the latest knowledge about sustainable horticulture via educational programs held at schools, libraries, community gardens, and neighborhood organizations in towns throughout Suffolk County. The Master Gardener Volunteer Program is directly linked to Cornell University as part of its National Land Grant College charter. Given the rise of public interest in gardening and the environment over recent decades, the purpose of the Master Gardener program is to train and support community volunteers who serve as liaisons between CCE staff educators and community groups in need of horticultural assistance. Once accepted into the program, volunteers receive 85 hours of instruction in all areas of community and environmental horticulture. Upon successful graduation, Master Gardeners must volunteer 125 hours of community service over the next two years to complete their certification and 30 hours per year there after to continue calling themselves Master Gardeners.

Responsibilities of Master Gardener students and volunteers include:

• Attending all lectures and field trips during training (only two absences are permitted) • Passing a final examination

• Agreeing to national background screening (criminal & sex offender), as per CCE guidelines • Leading community workshops and programs, and assisting CCE as liaisons to community projects • Wearing Master Gardener identifying badges at public events about gardening

• Participating in CCE meetings and the advanced training sessions CCE offers to Master Gardeners • Engaging in such CCE-sponsored events as the Spring Gardening School, the CCE Speakers Bureau, the

CCE Childrens Garden, and other CCE activities

• Providing accurate, up-to-date information about environmental horticulture to the public by staying connected with CCE and its continuing education program

Details of the 2016 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program

When & Where: Every Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at CCE Suffolk, 423 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901, starting February 3 and ending June 29, 2016

(no class March 16). AND every other Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to noon, at various field locations to be announced, starting April 2 and ending June 25.

Cost: Upon acceptance into the program, successful candidates must tender a $125 deposit and pay $375 to defray the cost of program materials used during training. After completing 125 hours of community service during the two years following their graduation, certified volunteers will be refunded their $125 deposit fees.

Instructions for filling out the PDF application

Please type all your answers in the appropriate spaces. (Attn: Mac users, please use Adobe Acrobat and NOT Preview.) Return to CCE by October 31, 2015, the deadline for applying for the 2016 class. Send the

application to Robin Simmen at CCE Suffolk via one of the following: • Email it to Robin Simmen at [email protected]

• Fax it to Robin Simmen at 631-852-3205

• Print and mail it via the US Postal Service to Robin Simmen, CCE of Suffolk County, 423 Griffing Avenue, Suite 100, Riverhead, NY 11901-3071. Envelopes must be postmarked by October 31, 2015. Send no money with the application!

Note that one-hour group interviews will be held for selected prospective candidates in mid-November.

Applicants will be notified in early December about acceptance into the 2016 training

program. Keep this page handy for your information.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

423 Griffing Avenue, Suite 100

Riverhead, NY 11901-3071

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is funded in part by Suffolk County through the office of the County Executive and the County Legislature.

Directions: _{Please type all your answers in the appropriate spaces below.} (Attn: Mac users, please use Adobe Acrobat and NOT Preview.)_{. Remember to sign the application.}

Please read the page describing the 2016 Master Gardener Volunteer Program before filling out this application. By applying, you agree that if you are accepted into this program, you will become a community volunteer who commits 125 hours of volunteer service to public greening projects in Suffolk County during the two years following your graduation to become certified as a Master Gardener Volunteer, and you agree to submit a record of the volunteer hours you work to CCE in order to retain your certification. The deadline for submitting completed applications to Cornell Cooperative Extension is October 31, 2015.

NAME: ____________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _________________________________________________________________________ CITY:_______________________________________ STATE:___________ ZIP: __________________ PHONE (DAY):____________________________ PHONE (EVE): _____________________________ EMAIL: ____________________________________________________________________________

ACCOMMODATIONS: _{Given the expectations of the volunteer position for which you are applying,}

describe any physical or health accomodations that may be needed to allow you to participate.

REFERENCES: _{List two people, not related to you, whom we may contact who have knowledge of your}

qualifications. Please provide complete addresses and phone numbers.

__________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIMINAL OFFENSE OTHER THAN A MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATION? _{A criminal record will not necessarily bar an applicant. A criminal record will be considered}

as it relates to the requirements of the volunteer position for which you have expressed an interest. ❏ NO ❏ YES (If yes) DATE(S) _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

2016 Master Gardener

Volunteer Application

Please answer the following questions, limiting each response to 1600 characters or less.

1. Why do you wish to become a Master Gardener Volunteer?

2. Describe your experience with community-based gardening, civic engagement, and/or environmental stewardship.

3. What kind of gardening do you enjoy and how long have you been doing it? Do you have any training or employment in horticulture?

4. Please list and describe any affiliations you currently have with community organizations and/or volunteer groups, and indicate if you serve as an officer in these programs.

5. Master Gardeners must commit to volunteering 125 hours of public service during the two years after graduation to become certified. How will you make room for this in your life?

6. As a Master Gardener Volunteer, how do you plan to bring the skills and knowledge you acquire back to your community? What kinds of projects would you like to assist or start?

7. Master Gardener Volunteers come from many different backgrounds. Describe any previous experience working with a diverse group of people. How would your participation bring a unique perspective to the Master Gardener training experience?

8. In addition to your gardening skills, please describe any hobbies or areas of interest that would benefit your community outreach work as a Master Gardener, for example: carpentry, online social media, photography.

10. How did you learn about the Master Gardener Program?

I affirm that the statements made on this application are true. I understand that misrepresentation or omission of facts requested is cause for my non-appointment or removal as a Cornell Cooperative Extension volunteer. I authorize Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County to obtain from all persons, including those not named here, and/or agencies any records, documents, and other information relative to my suitability to perform the duties of the volunteer position. I understand that the volunteer position I seek involves unsupervised work with minors, individuals over 65, or individuals with disabilities and that a criminal background check including a sexual offender search will be made. I further release all parties supplying said information from all liability and responsibility arising from their supplying said information.

I understand and agree that the volunteer position at CCE for which I am applying, is without compensation or benefits of any kind. I further understand that the provisions of this application do not constitute a contract (either expressed or implied) of employment between myself and CCE. I further understand and agree that if I am offered and accept a volunteer position at CCE, either I or CCE, may terminate the volunteer relationship at any time for any reason or for no particular reason or cause. CCE reserves the right to determine and change its policies and procedures applicable to volunteers at any time for any reason. I understand and agree that my volunteer position is contingent upon, among other things, my signing the CCE Association Volunteer Agreement and acceptance of the provisions of the CCE Association Volunteer Code of Conduct.

_____________________________________________________Date:_________________ Signature: