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© Slow Food USA | April 29, 2013 1© Slow Food USA | April 29, 2013 1

© Slow Food USA | April 29, 2013 2

Andrew Nowak, DirectorLauren Howe, ManagerSlow Food USANational School Garden Program

Grow Your Volunteers: Recruitment and

Engagement


Housekeeping•  Please mute your phone or computer microphone!

•  To make a comment or ask a question, please use the chat function

•  To download Slow Food USA resources: check out gardens.slowfoodusa.org

•  This webinar will be recorded and available on the Slow Food USA school garden website: http://gardens.slowfoodusa.org/monthly-webinars


Volunteers are the Heart of School Gardens


•  Recruit•  Train•  Retain•  Recognize•  Succession

Steps in Volunteer Engagement


•  Mission and Vision of the Garden Project

•  Skills needed•  Time commitment•  Committees

- Seedlings- Spring planting- Summer maintenance- Harvest for cafeteria- Cooking classes- Farmers market- Fall clean up- Marketing and social media- Volunteer coordinator

Recruit: Job Description


PARENTS

PTAs/PTOs“Thursday folders”Back to School NightClassroomFriendsFamily

COMMUNITY

Fraternal organizationsMaster GardenersBoy/Girl ScoutsChurchesBusinessesRestaurantsColleges and UniversitiesHigh school studentsRetirement centersJob posting websites

Recruit: Where do you find Volunteers?


TEACHERS

ClassroomStaff meetingLoungeBefore/after school

STUDENTS

ClassroomClubsCafeteriaPlayground

Recruit: Where do you find Volunteers?

Remember quality over quantity!


First meeting:- Introduction- Break the ice- Storytelling (yours) and listening (theirs)- Learn about interests and skills- Proposing next steps- Thank you- Reflection

Recruit: 1:1 Relationship Building


INVITE TO ACTIVITIES, NOT MEETINGS•  Morning coffee in the garden•  Gardening 101•  Gardening at recess•  Back to School booth•  Family cooking class•  Corporate Work Day•  Garden Tour on Bikes•  Tastings in the garden

Recruit: Make it look fun!


WORKSHOPS•  How to garden with kids•  How to cook with kids•  Food safety•  How to start seeds•  How to write grants•  How to compost•  How to manage volunteers

Train: Give them skills, tools & confidence

“I’m not a gardener!”

“I don’t have much experience working with kids!”


BE REASONABLE:

•  Hours•  Days•  Visits•  Costs•  Behavior with kids•  Appropriate dress•  Background checks

Train: Communicate and Manage Expectations


•  Paired with veteran•  Advanced planning•  Easier class•  Defined activity•  Defined role•  Smiling kids!•  Thank you notes

Train: Positive first experience


•  Frequent check-ins•  Further training•  Supplies•  Flexible schedule•  Mentoring•  Communication•  Sign Up Genius web

tool

Retain: Plenty of support


Make an effort to get to know:- Students- Teachers- School Secretary- Facilities Manager- Cafeteria Manager- Principal

Retain: Relationship building


•  Thank you notes•  Branded t-shirts•  Name in newsletter•  Picture in garden•  Gifts from sponsors•  Volunteer party•  Happy hour

Recognize: You are a hero!


•  Defining leadership•  Recognizing potential•  Mentoring•  Gradual transition•  New leadership!

Succession: Next generation of leaders


•  It’s all about relationship building!

•  Planting & harvesting = most rewarding for new or few volunteers

•  Hands on Charlotte (local volunteer org)

•  Email list for individual/personalized contact

Guest Presentation: Thom Duncan

Slow Food USA Board of Directors & Interim Director

of Friendship Gardens

(Charlotte, NC)


Contact us:(718) 260-8000

Andrew Nowak, Program Director: [email protected] (ext. 128)

Lauren Howe, Program Manager: [email protected] (ext. 129)

gardens.slowfoodusa.org

Q+A and Thank You

Documents

© Slow Food USA | April 29, 2013 1gardens.slowfoodusa.org/contents/sdownload/3352/file/Slow-Food-USA... · © Slow Food USA | April 29, 2013 3 ... • Sign Up Genius web tool Retain: