Thinking out of the Box - Virginia Association of Soil...
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A New Perspective on Getting and Keeping Volunteers Thinking out of the Box:
Transcript of Thinking out of the Box - Virginia Association of Soil...
A New Perspective on Getting and Keeping VolunteersThinking out of the Box:
What comes to mind when you hear
the term … Earth Team?
• It’s an NRCS program
• I’m too busy to train
a volunteer
• I don’t have the time
for all the paperwork
What should come to mind when
you hear the term…Earth Team?
• Help is on the way … I don’t have to do it all alone!
• I can get more conservation on the ground
• Big benefits, minimal paperwork
Why We Need Volunteers
• Reduced workload on existing staff
• Enhanced outreach capabilities
• More personal service to clients
Why We Need Volunteers
• Training ground for new employees
• Many go on to employment with NRCS
or a SWCD
Who Can Volunteer with Earth Team?
• Anyone 14 years of age
or older
• Citizen of the U.S. or an
allied country
• Performs conservation
activities beyond what they
are paid or elected to do
• Supports the mission
of NRCS and its
conservation partners
What must be accomplished
What isn’t getting done
What we’d like to accomplish
Where a volunteer can help
What’s Involved in Bringing
on a New Volunteer?
1. Know what tasks you
want performed
What’s Involved in Bringing
on a New Volunteer?
2. Match the volunteer to the job
Which Path Do I Take?
Which Path Do I Take?
Individual Volunteers:
✓ Perform duties on
a regular basis
✓ Can track hours
separately for students
needing community
service credit
Which Path Do I Take?
Group Volunteers:
✓ Work on one-time or recurring special projects
✓ One form covers the group
When and Where Can You Use
an Earth Team Volunteer?
Environmental and conservation education,
including outdoor classrooms
When and Where Can You Use
an Earth Team Volunteer?
Water quality testing/monitoring
Planting vegetative material
When and Where Can You Use
an Earth Team Volunteer?
Conservation partnership projects/activities
Tours and demonstrations
When and Where Can You Use
an Earth Team Volunteer?
Administrative and
support functions
Marketing, promotion,
and public information
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Where do you find volunteers?
Board Members
Elected to attend board
meetings and set policy
for the District ... not to
help at conservation
events. If they do, count
the hours!
Assistance from:
Family Members
and Landowners
Don’t Forget …
Retirees
High School and
College Students
Capture what you’re already doing!
More than likely you
have been or are
already using volunteers.
It’s important to keep track
because these folks may
come back when you need
help in the future!
The DREADED Paperwork!
The DREADED Paperwork!
Why Register Your District Volunteer
with Earth Team?
• Associated with a
nationally recognized
service organization
• Authorized to use
government-owned
vehicles and equipment
Why Register Your District Volunteer
with Earth Team?
• Protected under the
federal Worker’s
Compensation
Program &Tort
Claims Act
• Recognized during
National Volunteer
Appreciation Week
Why Register Your District Volunteer
with Earth Team?
• Eligible to compete for
state and national Earth
Team awards
• Highlighted in state and
national publications,
giving your District more
recognition for the great
work it is doing
The Biggest Benefit of All!
Strengthening the
partnership between
Conservation Districts and
NRCS to achieve a mutual
goal – the stewardship
and protection of our
natural resources
