Some counties programs may elect to form a Master Gardener Volunteer (MGV) association. The formation of an association without a clear understanding of its roles, responsibilities, and relationship to the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program can lead to confusion and reduce the quality and effectiveness of the consumer horticultural and EMG programs. A county MGV association is a professional association whose membership comes from the volunteer staff of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Individuals that elect to join an association and those that do not elect to join are still part of the EMG volunteer staff of Cooperative Extension. All Master Gardenerssm work under the supervision of the county Master Gardenersm Coordinator (Extension agent) when performing volunteer duties and are expect to follow the guidelines and policies of the Extension Master Gardenersm program. Association
roles
Possible roles for a county MGV association include:
Organization
structure
As a MG, individuals are part of the volunteer staff of Cooperative Extension and are serving in an official capacity as representatives of county and state government. While serving as a MGV association member are part of a closely associated group whose actions can have positive or negative impacts on Extension. The association and its members should consider the policies of the organization and government agencies they are connected to in deciding which activities they engage in and should abide by the policies of the organizations they represent. A possible model to follow would be that of the Agricultural Agents Association (and/or other Extension professional associations) as to how they function and interact with Extension. Many MGs may have difficulty in understanding this unique role unless training is conducted to explain the role and mission of a professional association. An association can elect officers and adopt a set of bylaws. A sample set of bylaws is available from the state EMG coordinator. The Extension agent can assist with the initial organization of an association and can serve as an educational advisor to the group after they are organized. The agent can not be an association officer or perform the day to day activities of the association. He/she is expected to address issues, positions, and activities of the association that might comprise the integrity of the Extension Master Gardenersm program. Recruiting membership and collecting dues for an association is the responsibility of the association. Extension should not be expected to spend publicly appropriated funds (from tax dollars) to print materials (applications, forms, etc.) for a MGV association. It is also inappropriate to include information on joining an association, or promoting an association event or activity in Extension newsletters or other correspondence when using Extension letterhead or postage. The members of an association are responsible for all expenses incurred in order to conduct association activities. Funds
An association can collect dues from individuals who choose to join the association. Payment of association dues can not be a requirement for participating in the Extension Master Gardenersm program. Liability
Public
perception
The EMG logo (trademarked), Cooperative Extension letterhead and logo, and NC State University letterhead or logo should not be used when conducting MGV association correspondence or activities. Signs at education events sponsored by Extension and on educational materials for distribution to the public should have Extension's logo on them and not the MGV association. Master Gardenersm | Consumer Horticulture The terms Master Gardenersm, Master Gardener Extension Volunteersm, North Carolina Master Gardenersm, and Extension Master Gardenersm are NC State University service marks and can only be used by North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
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