Updates to the Master Gardener Program

Updates to Status Levels

Here are responses to the additional questions that you submitted

• Yes 

• Yes
• Due to significant updates to the program and Onboarding, it will be a requirement of existing members to complete the 2022 Onboarding-lite course.  A no-cost version will be available in the Canvas Classroom and will count towards continuing education for Master Gardeners who are currently in the program.  You can claim 5 hours of continuing education. We estimate that it may take you less time than this.  
• You are required to complete 2022 Onboarding-lite before you start volunteering.  It will be a requirement of the terms and conditions in 2022.

• No
• The Extension Master Gardener Program does not keep a list of Associations and their contact information.  Participants of Onboarding will be provided information about Associations and will be encouraged to visit the WIMGA website to learn more about associations in their area. Please make sure your association information is updated on the WIMGA website.Your current information can be found at  https://www.wimga.org/regional-master-gardener-organizati. 
  

• You must first be a volunteer of the an organization for your volunteer service to count. 
• In alignment with federal and state nondiscrimination laws and policies,The Wisconsin Extension Master Gardener Program shall only accept volunteer service hours at locations and with organizations that do not engage in discriminatory practices.
  
  • The University of Wisconsin–Madison, Division of Extension, is committed to providing equal opportunity and equal access in all its programs and services. As a recipient of federal funding, Extension complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws and policies. This includes discrimination based on:
    • age
      
    • ancestry
      
    • color
      
    • creed
      
    • disability
      
    • national origin
      
    • race
      
    • retaliation for making a complaint of discrimination, or taking part in an investigation relating to discrimination, or opposing discrimination
      
    • sex
      
    • sexual orientation
  • Also covered is any other nondiscrimination category that may be subsequently added, even if not included in the above list, as a result of federal or State of Wisconsin court, legislative, or regulatory action, or action taken by University of Wisconsin System. or the university.
    
• Organizations include but are not limited to botanical gardens, environmental centers, municipalities, not-for-profits, hospitals, schools, places of worship, local Master Gardener associations, and more. 
• Private businesses and for-profit organizations continue to be inappropriate organizations where your volunteer time cannot count
• More information provided in Onboarding (or Onboarding-lite).
  

• If they meet the criteria above. 
  

• There is no formal approval process
• You will need to use the criteria provided above and in Onboarding (or Onboarding-lite) to determine if the organization you are volunteering for is appropriate
• See question “How will I enter my hours in ORS?” 
• More information provided in Onboarding (or Onboarding-lite).

• Gardening activities and horticulture education will continue to be appropriate activities.
• More information will be provided in Onboarding (or Onboarding-lite).

• Master Gardeners record their time in the ORS by organization and activity, not by project.  We are moving away from “projects” to organizations. The ORS will not list projects in 2022. The ORS will be restructured to accommodate this
• When you are entering your hours into the ORS if you do not see your organization listed, you will need to “ask for a new organization to be added”, at which point you will be prompted for contact information about the organization. It will be reviewed by staff before it is entered into the ORS. 
• We need your help in populating the ORS with organizations.
  • Please fill out the form to have organizations you anticipate volunteering with in 2022 entered into ORS. 

• We are moving away from “projects” to organizations. The ORS will not list projects in 2022.  
• Starting January 1, 2022, volunteer service is conducted through other organizations. It will be up to the organization which you volunteer for to determine who may be overseeing the activities.
• Please remember that you must follow the requirements of the organization you choose to volunteer for. This may include behavior agreements, assumptions of risk, and other conditions of service for those organizations
• More information will be provided in Onboarding (or Onboarding-lite).

• You can count your volunteer service throughout the state as long as the organization and activity meet the requirements in Onboarding (or Onboarding-lite). You now have opportunities to volunteer across the state.  We no longer require you to be connected to a county.  

• There will be no Annual Enrollment Period like in previous years, however we do have a bit of homework for you in early 2022. 

• Accept new Terms and Conditions (this includes the Code of Ethics) for 2022.  This will be conducted through the ORS.  We will notify you through email when it is available.  Please make sure your information is updated in the ORS
• Complete the updated Onboarding-lite 2022. This will be in our Canvas Classroom. We will notify you by email when the updated version is available. 
• The above items must be completed before you conduct any volunteer hours you are going to count toward the program.
• Make sure you are a volunteer of the organization where you want your hours to count.
  

Change in Master Gardener Program Leadership

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