 |
Arboretum
Auxiliary Docents gather regularly for training. Auxiliary
Docents volunteer their time to lead group walks for
various associations and bus tours.
Photo by: Chris Earley |
To
find out more about volunteer opportunities at The Arboretum,
contact
Barbara Parke, Volunteer Co-ordinator.
The latest version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (September 2011) is available
on-line
The previous version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (May 2011) is available
on-line
The previous version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (January 2011) is available
on-line
A previous version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (September 2010) is available
on-line.
A previous version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (May 2010) is available
on-line.
A previous version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (January 2010) is available
on-line.
A previous version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (September 2009) is available
on-line.
A previous version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (May 2009) is available
on-line.
A previous version
of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (January 2009) is available
on-line.
A previous version of the Arb
Aux Newsletter (September 2008) is available
on-line.
THE
ARBORETUM MISSION STATEMENT:
"The
Arboretum, an integral part of the University of Guelph,
has a mandate to promote education, research and outreach."
(Arboretum Master Plan, December 2004)
THE
VOLUNTEER AUXILIARY MISSION STATEMENTS:
1) To develop and maintain appropriate levels of volunteer
commitment to meet Arboretum needs
2) To promote public interest in The Arboretum
3) To generate funding for The Arboretum
WHO
ARE THE ARBORETUM AUXILIARY?
The
Auxiliary is made up of people who offer to perform and
carry out a service requested, agreed upon, and supervised
by The Arboretum staff and/or the Auxiliary Group Leaders,
without monetary payment or a tax receipt. Anyone with an
interest in The Arboretum, student, retiree, part-time employee
or homemaker, who is able to offer an occasional few hours
or a regular time-commitment is welcome to join The Arboretum
Auxiliary.
WHAT
IS THE ARBORETUM AUXILIARY?
The
Arboretum Auxiliary is a group of enthusiastic individuals
who volunteer their time and expertise to assist The Arboretum
in meeting its Mission Statement. To achieve this, the Auxiliary
is divided into a number of activity groups, each with their
own particular area of responsibility within The Arboretum,
working with staff members when appropriate. Contact is
maintained through Auxiliary Newsletters, The Arboretum
newsletter,"The Green Web", and an Auxiliary email list.
Individuals have been volunteering at The Arboretum for
over 15 years, but the idea of an organized Auxiliary began
to germinate in the fall of 1994. Through the vision and
hard work of a handful of dedicated volunteers, it became
a reality on January 19th, 1995 when over 70 people attended
an Open House to learn more about the new organization.
The Auxiliary developed rapidly and much has been accomplished,
but there is more to be done. We hope that we can match
your interests to our needs.
VOLUNTEER
POSITIONS:
1) STAFF SUPPORT & VISITOR SERVICES:
a) Foyer Reception Desk: Welcome visitors and provide information
about The Arboretum. Answer telephones and direct calls.
Assist with office support, bookings and mail-outs when
needed. Deal with sales items.
b) Miscellaneous Office duties and Mailing Assistance: Occasional assistance to label and
stuff packages of information: newsletters, program and
course information, etc., sent to Arboretum Friends, volunteers,
schools.
c) Data Entry/Filing: Enter miscellaneous information into Arboretum databases (Giftmaker, Access) i.e. evaluations to bookings, Dinner Theatre surveys etc.
d) Research & develop contact lists: Update media contact list (for press releases i.e. newspapers etc).
e) Posting Flyers: Post flyers throughout city for events/fundraisers.
f) Update free listings (i.e. Rogers, Cogeco, Tourism Ontario etc) with dates of Dinner Theatre
g) Filing brochures: Filling brochure racks in The Arboretum Centre as well as throughout the grounds with applicable brochures.
- 2)
OUTDOOR WORK:
a)
Grounds and Physical Resources: Assist staff with the maintenance of The Arboretum plant collections, grounds and gardens.
b) Gardening Group: Assist staff with Arboretum garden maintenance. Activities include perennial plant care (dividing, transplanting, deadheading, pruning), planting, weeding and spring and fall clean-up.
c) Plant Sale Group: Seed preparation and germination, potting up donated and stock plant material (woody and herbaceous). Also includes summer maintenance: weeding and watering, labeling and inventory for annual sale.
d) Trail clean-up: Removing branches/debris from trails.
e) Frances Ball Rose Collection Group: Assist staff with the upkeep of species, shrub, Old Garden and Special Series rose beds involving spring cleanup, pruning, weeding, and edging.
- f) Seed Group: Assist staff with collecting and cleaning seeds, sowing seeds in preparation for Annual Arboretum Auxiliary Plant Sale, Arboretum collections or seed sharing programs.
3)
EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING:
a)
Annual Plant Sale – Day of: Organize/plan for the annual sale, assist with sale set-up. Provide assistance on the day of the sale in September.
c) Special Events – Organizing & Planning: Work as a member of a team on all aspects (planning through to implementation) of various events/fundraisers for The Arboretum (i.e. Children’s Theatre).
d) Fundraising: Organize, plan and put into action various activities to raise much needed funds for The Arboretum, such as: Children’s Theatre Presentations, Family Fun day or other similar programs.
4)
EDUCATION:
a) Docents Group: Volunteers trained
to have a good knowledge of The Arboretum grounds, collections,
history and programs to lead organized group tours of The
Arboretum, or give talks about The Arboretum to community
groups.
5)
AUXILIARY ADMINISTRATION:
a) Office: Keep records and organize paperwork. Also includes faxing and photocopying.
b) Publicity: Prepare promotional material for Special Events.
c) Newsletter: Collate, edit and word process a regular
newsletter for the Auxiliary, 'Arb Aux'.
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM :
The Arboretum Auxiliary Volunteer application form is available on-line. Form can also be picked up at The Arboretum Centre or mailed to prospective volunteers.
LIABILITY WAIVER :
The Liability Waiver form is available on-line. Form can also be picked up at The Arboretum Centre or mailed to prospective volunteers.
PLEASE
NOTE:
1)
Individuals who wish to apply for volunteer positions with the Arboretum must complete an application form. Volunteers will be selected at the sole discretion of the Arboretum, according to suitability and need. Volunteers working with vulnerable groups such as children or the elderly may be required to obtain a satisfactory police record check including a Vulnerable Sector Query (“PRC”). PRCs must be updated every 2 - 3 years. Additional information can be found in The Arboretum’s Policy for Volunteer Screening
2)
All new Arboretum Auxiliary Members must participate in a two hour introductory tour of The Arboretum (scheduled as required).
3)
All Auxiliary Members must sign a liability waiver on an annual basis.
4)
Training will be provided for different activities as required.
5)
To comply with University policies Auxiliary members are not allowed to use power tools nor allowed to operate power equipment.
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