|
Master Gardeners may enjoy several classes of membership status to fit their
situation
including
Active,
Sustainer, or
Lifetime membership, as
described below. In addition, a member may take a
leave of absence
if
needed. Members who have not accumulated the required hours may be placed in
exception status. If membership is dropped, the
reinstatement policy is also listed
below.
Active Status
Membership shall be comprised of individuals who have successfully
completed the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Training
Program. In addition, members
must fulfill the annual volunteer service and
re-certification requirements. The title "Master Gardener" is valid
only when the volunteer is participating in the Arkansas Master Gardener
program and may not be used in relation to any commercial venture. When
individuals cease active participation, their designation as a Master
Gardener becomes void.
Members who fail to complete re-certification requirements or pay
membership dues by the October 1st deadline may be dropped from
the active membership roll.
Sustainer Status
A Master Gardener who has been a member in good standing for a minimum of
seven years, may apply to be a Master Gardener Sustainer. Applicants must
complete a
Request for
Sustainer Status form and
submit it to the county agent and/or master Gardener executive committee
within a month of the end of the county’s "Master Gardener" year.
A Sustainer will be accorded all privileges of an active Master Gardener
without the requirement of annual work and learning hours. MG Sustainers are
strongly encouraged to continue to report any volunteer hours they accrue
within each calendar year. A Sustainer may not hold office, or have any
voting rights; however they may be active on a committee if they choose.
Time spent as Sustainer will not count towards the 10, 15 year pins or for
Advanced Master Gardener status. Sustainers may attend county, regional and
state MG events, but programs with limited registrations will give priority
to active MG members, and allow
Sustainers in as space is available.
All applicable fees as set by the county for active Master Gardeners will
be required of sustainers. This includes any annual dues, registration fees,
etc. If you meet all of the requirements as stated for the Sustainer, and
submit a written request to the county agent
and/or executive committee, you
will remain a Sustainer of said county until you choose to no longer pay
county fees. A Master Gardener with sustainer status can revert back to
active
status by applying within a month of the end of the county’s MG year.
Lifetime Membership
Master Gardeners who have remained active for 15 years will receive
lifetime membership status at the annual MG state meeting. Master Gardener
years accrue by the calendar, as an example, for a MG trained at any time
during 2000, lifetime membership eligibility would be in 2015. Lifetime
membership entitles a MG to all of the benefits of an active member but work
and learning hours are no longer required. However, Lifetime Members who
wish to continue working on projects are encouraged to do so. Lifetime
Members are also encouraged to report hours, since county record keeping
includes all volunteer hours. Hours/years of service will continue to accrue
to 20 year status. If a county MG program requires dues, they will be waived
for a Lifetime member. Lifetime Members will receive a pin denoting new
status at the annual
MG state meeting, and will also be recognized on a
plaque at the state office.
Leave of Absence
Occasionally, circumstances may arise, such as illness, family emergency,
job or other
unique circumstance, and a Master Gardener in good standing may
need to apply for a leave
of absence. The
Leave of Absence form
will need to be
submitted to the county extension
office, and be reviewed by the county
agent and/or the MG executive committee. This form may be
filled out by the
MG or someone cognizant of their circumstances. Leave of absence status will
be good for one MG year, and will be reviewed annually. Someone from within
the county organization should check with these persons annually.
While on leave, the Master Gardener will not be responsible for any work
or learning hours, but may retain the option to participate in events as
conditions permit. MG’s on leave of
absence will not be allowed voting
rights, but will remain in county roster. If these members
wish to register
for MG events that have limited space, priority will be given to active MG’s
and those on leave will be accepted as space allows. Time spent on leave of
absence will not
accrue towards active years of MG service, and therefore
will not count for 5, 10, or 15 year
pins. Payment of dues will be optional
based on county needs.
Exception Status
Members, who do not accumulate the required hours by October 1st, may be
placed in an exception classification. The member is then required to earn
deficient hours plus the normal required hours during the next 12 month
period.
Reinstatement
Members wishing to return to BCMG will be handled on a case-by-case
basis. Returning members will be asked to address the board regarding their
reinstatement to the organization.
A reinstatement recommendation will be
issued by the board and forwarded to Mark Keaton
after the board meeting.
The following will apply to past members requesting reinstatement after a
year of non-membership and who left in good standing: The past member will
be reinstated when he pays his membership dues.
The following will apply to past members requesting reinstatement after
more than a year of non-membership and who left "owing" hours: The past
member must pay membership dues, make up his hours, and attend one day of
the first available MG training.
The following will apply to past members requesting reinstatement after
more than a year of non-membership and who left in good standing: The past
member must pay membership dues and attend one day of the first available MG
training.
Failure to comply with any of these requirements will result in the past
member being
dropped from the BCMG membership.
|
