Technical Support If you are having technical difficulty during this presentation, contact the EITS Help Desk at 706-542-3106. This session will be archived! If you miss something, you can review it online at a later time. Hosting Advanced Training for MGEVs will begin at 9:30 am. Hosting Advanced Training for MGEVs Sheri Dorn Extension Horticulturist State Coordinator, Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program April 10, 2013 What is Advanced Training? Above and Beyond Training beyond the initial core horticulture training Recognition that the individual has gained advanced knowledge and skill In some cases, individuals have specialized their training (i.e., Gold Star) Requirements Master Gardeners must have completed the initial training and 50-hour volunteer service requirement, and have current, active status (including UGA Volunteer Agreement on file and any additionally required screening) Gold Star applicants need County Extension Office approvalof project BEFORE it is implemented. History of AT Advanced MG Training was initiated by the MG State Program Office but run by Georgia Master Gardener Association (GMGA) until 2005 AT was reformatted in 2005 in response to staff reduction and increase demands for specialized horticultural information Program goals were redefined and updated to increase MG learning in specific subject areas to more effectively assist Extension Service delivery of educational programs The idea is to shift MGEVs from generalists to specialists It is driven by county agent and local programming needs 1
Advanced Training Categories Advanced Training Recognition Sustainable Gardens and Landscapes (SGL) Water Quality and Management (WQM) Urban Forestry and Ecology (UFE) Diagnostics and Technology (DT) Youth and Community Gardening (YCG) Required (R) Silver Current Active MGEV 5 total training certificates 4 from any subject area plus 1 from R-Required(Creative Teaching, Leadership, Communications) Gold Current Active MGEV Application 6 total training certificates 3from one Subject area (SGL, UFE, DT, YCG, WQM 1 from R-Required(Creative Teaching, Leadership, Communications) 2from any subject area Completion of Project Silver Star Level Generalist level Recognizes those volunteers who have completed advanced training in a variety of subjects Requirements: Successfully complete 4 elective modules (module duration is 6 hours of class time) Successfully complete 1 required module: Creative Teaching Techniques, Leadership: Building a Dynamic MG Network, etc. Gold Star Level Specialist-level training Silver Star is NOT required prior to earning a Gold Star Requirements: Select one specialty area and successfully complete 3 modules within specialty subject area Successfully complete 2 elective modules from any other subject area Successfully complete 1 required module Successfully complete volunteer project (related to specialty subject area), including submission of a project package application to CEA with copy to State Office Project approval is required before and after project completion by County Extension Office Suggested projects include teaching a series of classes, preparing lesson plans, writing fact sheets, preparing multimedia presentations Agreement to be a resource for the chosen specialty subject area after achievement of the Gold Star Gold Star Application HOSTING AN ADVANCED TRAINING http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/hort/ext ension/mastergardener/documents/goldstarapp lication.pdf 2
County Extension Office Hosting Advanced Training Contact State Program Office to plan and schedule training Arrange speakers and facilities Advertise program (State Office will assist) Collect registrations and fees Ensure a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 50 participants registered for training Ensure that pre- and post evaluations are given Send spreadsheet with names and contact info to State Office for recordkeeping, certificates, and follow-up evaluation Provide support to the event Prepare a budget designed to cover all training expenses with an approximate cost range of $30.00 to $50.00 per participant per module Adhere to criteria developed or maintained by State Coordinator's Office Send out evaluation tools on behalf of SPO Set a date for your training Contact the SPO for approval and scheduling (this will help with promotion) 90 days advance planning is ESSENTIAL Pick a Date Pick a Topic What topic is relevant to MGEVs in your area? What additional skills and expertise do MGEVs to really help you meet community issues and needs through garden-based programming? Criteria for AT Each certificate represents 5-6 hours in the classroom or training experience Identify Purpose of training Items/topics covered Suggested program materials Learning objectives Related research to read ahead of time Pick a Criteria 18 training criteria already defined Posted online at http://www.caes.uga.edu/departments/hort/ extension/mastergardener/documents/criteri a10.pdf Developing New Criteria Sometimes we need new training sessions Sometimes we need new training formats Propose a topic, outline the course Submit to SPO for review and approval 3
Specialty Training Craft a Gold Star training package 5-6 hours per certificate * 6 certificates = 30-36 total hours of training Training topics need to include minimum of 5 hours of coursework in required category Allow for the project Example: Urban Tree Specialty Training Other Details Location Lunch needs to be included to facilitate the training time Catering/served on site reduces time needed for serving meal but requires advance arrangements BYO is cheaper and easier for you, but does not enhance the training experience Include in your budget: $2 per person to cover administrative costs (certificates, star pins, etc.) remitted to State Program Office Lunches for additional speakers Snacks and refreshments Room fees Any travel costs Additional resources for attendees Fun things to enhance the experience Finalize and post a registration form NO LESS THAN 30 days in advance Registration Form Promoting AT SPO will assist in promoting beyond your county Notice sent to Agents Snippets (with enough lead time) Posted to GA MGEV Program website Promoted during other events Help from GMGA Help advertise program Work with State Office and local programs to schedule training with GMGA conferences if possible Provide feedback 4
State Program Office SUPPORT FROM SPO Issue certificates and stars Develop criteria Promotion of Advanced Training concept Assist with advertisement of training Assist with the planning of training schedule Plan and conduct training sessions as needed Help locate/secure speakers or UGA specialists Develop reading lists Develop evaluation tools Create a Reading List Follow-up Support Prepare MGEVs ahead of time with a base knowledge of the topic Level the playing field, so to speak Be sure to send out 10 days in advance to give people plenty of time to dig in and read Great way to stimulate discussions during training time SPO will provide assistance What s In It For You Agents who host AT sessions and participate with the SPO will be included in end-of-year impact statements SPO letters of support Recognition TIPS FOR A GREAT TRAINING 5
4/9/2013 Keep It Interesting! Serve a Great Lunch! Go Outside! Add Interactive Activities Use icebreakers Have participants build the pieces of a project throughout the day Get people out of their chairs! (especially right after lunch) Celebrate! Use real-life scenarios for MGEVs to practice working with clients 6
Send Evaluation Link FINISHING DETAILS Provided by SPO Send by Wednesday of the week following training event How do I get the Silver Star for a MGEV? Verify that he/she has met the requirements for a Silver Star Send request to masterg@uga.edu with recipient s name Personalized certificate and a silver star pin will be mailed to you at the Extension Office How do I get the Gold Star for a MGEV? Verify that applicant has met the requirements for a Gold Star Send copy of completed, signed Gold Star application to masterg@uga.edu (or FAX to 770-412-4764) with recipient s name Personalized certificate and a gold star pin will be mailed to you at the Extension Office What s your attitude? ENGAGING THE STARS Where are your programming priorities? Is there enough love, attention, and recognition for MGEVs to get involved or take off with a program? 7
What specific needs have been identified? Does your speakers bureau need a presentation developed? Does your speakers bureau team need training on a presentation? Do you need to implement a program in a target area, i.e., a specific neighborhood or community? Do you need a youth hortprogram? Don t Be a Roadblock Delegate tasks and responsibilities to the Stars! Hold people accountable Recognize volunteers and send the message that you value their contributions by asking their opinions, ideas, and inputs, especially after a project has happened Questions? Topics for AT based on your programming needs? Alternate training formats? Anyone want to commit to an AT date? The Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer Program announces MASTER GARDENER UNIVERSITY June 7-8, 2013 at the Georgia Center, University of Georgia, Athens Diagnosing Plant Pest Problems DT: Diagnostics & Technology Healthy Soil & Plants SGL: Sustainable Garden & Landscape Get Kids Gardening YG: Youth & Community Gardening Using the Garden as an Outdoor Classroom YG: Youth & Community Gardening SHERI DORN COORDINATOR, GEORGIA MASTER GARDENER EXTENSION VOLUNTEER PROGRAM WWW.GAMASTERGARDENER.ORG SDORN@UGA.EDU 770-228-7243 8