2005-2006 Coos County Master Gardener
Policy Guidelines and Definitions of Volunteer Log Categories
Payback Hours Policy: New Trainees in the OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners of Coos County owe a combination of 60 support hours and educational outreach hours to the program during their first year. We require that new MGs devote a minimum of 20 educational outreach hours. Veteran MGs (in program more then 1 year) are required to return 20 hours of volunteer time (a minimum of 10 educational outreach hours). In order to remain certified, Veteran MGs are required to complete recertification training and/or a recertification test as specified by the program each year.
Educational Outreach: Hours that directly support our educational mission include time spent working at the plant clinic, at Farmers’ markets, county fair, and gardening events. Also included are activities such as demonstration workshops (pruning, coastal gardening, etc), not where you attend, but where you TEACH.
Support Activities: Hours that enhance or support the MG program, chapter activities such as meetings, committee chairs for all program and chapter activities, mentoring, telephone/e-mail tree, and non-educational community service. Works with outside organizations such as Fair Boards, Park Bureau do not count as payback because they do not enhance or support our program. When in doubt…ASK! It is hoped that where possible, an educational component can be a part of most activities.
Remember your volunteer
payback commitment to the Master Gardener Program must be a combination of educational and support activities: 60 hours (20 educational
outreach) for new MGs and 20 hours (10 educational
outreach) for veterans. Continuing education hours are not counted as payback
hours.
Continuing Education: Includes workshops, classes, repeat of basic training (*) classes, attendance at MG seminars, Mini-College, regional and national conferences, garden tours etc. A minimum of 6 classroom hours are required for recertification training.
OR: you may take part in a statewide Open Book Re-certification Review and pass with a score of 70% or higher.
Contacts: When possible, please record the number of direct contacts you make as a result of your volunteer work i.e. number of individuals attending a presentation you gave, approximately how many people did you talk to on the phone or in a clinic, how many kids were in that gardening class you taught, etc….
Mileage: Keep track of the miles you spend traveling to and from all Master Gardener activities. These miles are for your information only and a tax benefit to you. Check with a tax consultant so that you can best deduct your contribution on your tax returns. (Travel hours do not count towards payback time.)
If you have questions, call Tracy Baune at 541-572-5263 ext. 294 or 1-800-730-4978.
You may mail completed forms to the OSU Coos County
Extension Service,