MASTER GARDENER Hours Reporting System 2015

Master Gardeners are: Agents of ISU Extension Expected to provide research-based information Accountable to local Extension council Accountable to county tax payers Covered under state tort liability law NOT a garden club Master Gardeners are: Volunteers for ISU Extension & Outreach Provide research-based information Are accountable to Extension councils Accountable to county tax payers Covered under state tort liability law We are not a garden club

How to Remain A Master Gardener 10 hours continuing education 20 hours volunteer service Log hours by December 31st To remain a Master Gardener you are required to: -Complete 10 hours of approved Master Gardener educational updates annually -Complete 20 hours of approved Master Gardener volunteer service annually Log hours by December 31st of each year in the online hours reporting system

Master Gardener Projects What qualifies as volunteer service? Educational Benefits the public Unpaid service Qualifying volunteer service: -Is the activity educational in nature (vs. only manual labor)? -Does it benefit the public in some way? -Volunteers may be reimbursed for expenses associated with conducting a project, but cannot receive payment for the work that they count as Master Gardener volunteer time.

Which would qualify for volunteer service in your county? Master Gardener Projects Which would qualify for volunteer service in your county? Pulling weeds for an elderly neighbor? Teaching 4th graders how to plant a tree? Presenting information on the latest rose varieties to the local garden club? Planting flower containers on Main Street? Selling plants to raise money for the Master Gardener treasury? Qualify: B C D – depends if it is educational E Do not qualify: A D – if not educational

Use of the Master Gardener title Mary Sunshine Working on Extension programs Doing unpaid public service work NOT to be used for promotion of business, products or personal gain Use of Master Gardener Title: -Only when working in Extension programs -Only when doing unpaid public service work -NOT to be used for promotion of business, products or personal gain

VIDEO: A Quick Tour for Master Gardeners My Profile: update Personal Info, User Credentials, Progress, and Skills & Interest My Hours: See & edit records Report New Hours Annual Summary This video will go through the main functions of the new Hours Reporting System and the following four elements

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VIDEO: Hours Report Form Date*: Choose a date Location*: Will be named by your coordinator Category*: Type of MG project Local Project: Description: What did you do? Hours*: .5 or higher Contacts*: Number of people This video will show you how to enter your hours. The fields with an asterix are required.

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RESOURCES: website Go to our website for: Upcoming events Information about the state-wide program Resources for Master Gardener Volunteers

RESOURCES: website For Master Gardener Volunteers Hours reporting links and information MG Advisory committee Search for Excellence Award Shop Master Gardener items Read past newsletters Educational opportunities such as webinars and other upcoming events

RESOURCES: volunteer manual Online resource for you to refer to about what Master Gardeners do and what responsibilities are

RESOURCES: social media Like our Facebook page Find out about upcoming events and read articles on garden best practices

Thanks for being an Iowa Master Gardener! Questions