Resources for New MGV Interns

Welcome

Welcome to the Master Gardener Volunteers Program! We have put together these resources to help guide you through the first part of your volunteer experience. Most of this information will sound familiar from your training, but we wanted to give you an easily accessible space to find answers to some of the common questions that arise when you begin volunteering.

Internship

To be certified as a Master Gardener Volunteer, all participants must complete an internship that involves volunteering at least 40 hours on approved horticultural projects by the end of the calendar year. Our program provides opportunities for gardeners with all levels of experience to connect with projects in their community. Participants will be expected to complete an internship plan as part of their training. Your local coordinators will help you find approved volunteer opportunities that are well suited to your interests, location and skill sets. 

In order to maintain the Master Gardener Volunteer certification, volunteers must commit to volunteering a minimum of 20 hours every calendar year with an approved project and submit an annual enrollment form.

Many participants find the information shared in the training really sinks in when they become involved in volunteer projects, and the volunteer piece becomes their favorite part of the program. Your local coordinator will share approved volunteer opportunities with you throughout the training and is there to help you find a project that aligns with your interests, skill set and schedule. Please consider the volunteer requirement carefully before you move forward any further with the program.

How do I find out about volunteer opportunities? 

We will provide a list of approved volunteer opportunities during the training. You can always reach out to your local coordinator for information about approved volunteer opportunities. You may also receive emails when new opportunities to volunteer arise. 

How do I report volunteer hours?

Master Gardener volunteers are required to report their hours through our MGV Dashboard. This form also includes a space for you to share anecdotes, quotes, impacts, and success stories. Reporting takes only a few minutes and is critical to the success and continued support of the UMaine Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Please do not consider reporting your hours as boastful or trivial. Data about time invested in these activities and the number of people reached are important measures of the worth of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program. Funding is dependent on our ability to show the impact of our volunteers and their efforts. 

It is your responsibility to report your hours. If hours are not reported in a given year or you have not communicated with your coordinator regarding a leave of absence, then you may not continue to receive the rights and privileges of being an active Master Gardener Volunteer. You may connect with your local coordinator to discuss reentry into the program after a leave (planned or unplanned). 

Examples of what counts toward your volunteer hours: 

  • Travel to and from MGV projects may be included in your volunteer hours. However, time spent traveling to and participating in educational programs for your own ongoing learning does not qualify for volunteer hours. 
  • Setting up chairs at a local garden club meeting does not typically count towards volunteer hours. However, if you were teaching a gardening seminar to the local garden club and are clearly doing so in your role as a Master Gardener volunteer, then the time assisting with chairs would be fine to report. 
  • Teaching a workshop at a place of business where you’re employed while you are being paid does not count towards volunteering. But a workshop offered as free public service at that business during your time off may be considered valid hours. 

If you have questions about what constitutes volunteer time, please ask the local Master Gardener Volunteer program coordinator. Always speak with your local coordinator to make sure your volunteer plans are approved prior to moving forward.  

When will I receive my certificate and name tag once I’m officially certified as a Master Gardener Volunteer?

At the end of the year, certificates and nametags will be ordered for those who have completed the online coursework and the 40-hour internship, and your MGV coordinator will let you know how and when to get yours.

Master Gardener Volunteer Program Policy

Please visit the MGV Policies and Procedures webpage for detailed information about volunteer policies and procedures, including:

  • requirements and protocols, 
  • use of the title ‘Master Gardener’, 
  • standards of behavior, 
  • reporting practices, and 
  • our annual re-enrollment process.

Resources from your training

All of the content in Brightspace will be available to you until the end of the calendar year. After that time, you may access our public resources from the following websites:

Who do I contact if: 

I need to know how many hours I submitted? 

Your yearly and lifetime totals will be visible in your MGV Dashboard.

I have a question about volunteering? 

Contact your local Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, or email extension.mastergardeners@maine.edu

I am unable to volunteer this year? 

We understand that life happens. Contact your local Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, or email extension.mastergardeners@maine.edu to discuss taking a year off without losing your status.

County Contact Information

Master Gardener Volunteers may always email us at extension.mastergardeners@maine.edu for general information or contact your MGV coordinator(s) directly.  The phone number for your local county Extension office is available on our website.

Frequently asked questions:

Q.: How do I complete my internship? 

A.: Complete your internship by volunteering at least 40 hours on one or more approved projects (includes virtual volunteer opportunities) by the end of the calendar year to receive certification. Be sure to use your internship proposal as a guide for your volunteering, however, you may update your plan at any time, just be sure to communicate changes with your Coordinator. More information can be found in the Volunteerism module.

Q.: How long do I have to complete the 40-hour internship? 

A.: Complete your Volunteer Internship (at least 40 hours on an approved project) by the end of the calendar year. If you will be unable to complete your internship in time, please contact your Master Gardener Volunteer coordinator to discuss whether you may qualify for an extension. 

Q: How do I report hours?

A.: You’ll report your hours in the MGV Dashboard. 

Q.: How often should I report my volunteer hours? 

A.: Your coordinator will let you know how often they expect you to report your hours. The most common practice is to report at least monthly. This will help ensure you don’t forget to include any of your hours. 

Q.: How many hours do I need to volunteer each year after I complete my internship and become a Certified Master Gardener Volunteer? 

 In order to maintain the Master Gardener Volunteer certification, volunteers must commit to volunteering a minimum of 20 hours every calendar year with an approved project and submit an annual enrollment form.

Q.: Why do I have to enroll every year? 

A.: It is required by the University of Maine. Enrolling annually ensures that we keep your contact information up to date, get the required yearly sign-offs on civil rights documents, and gives you an opportunity to accept or decline a photo release. Additionally, only enrolled volunteers are covered under the University of Maine’s liability insurance.

Q.: Why do I need to do a background check? 

A.: Background checks are necessary to protect the vulnerable populations we volunteer with, and are required every three years for any University of Maine Master Gardener volunteer.