Virginia Master Naturalist Program
Banshee Reeks Chapter

Volunteer Hours

To maintain certification as a Virginia Master Naturalist you need to perform 40 hours of volunteer service each year in areas that support Nature in Virginia. This could be through a single project or a series of small ones. It can involve field work, education, administration, maintenance, or any combination as long as the work is in line with the overall goal.

New Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities at Banshee Reeks

Help rebuild the Banshee Reeks Rain Garden

We will be seeking volunteers this spring to help prepare and plant the raingarden next to the Banshee Reeks Education Annex Building. This will be a chapter project and will probably involve a few weekends. A work schedule will be published here in January.

Chapter Committees

Historian

  1. Maintains the historical records of the chapter.
  2. Historical records include but are not limited to: Training classes, projects, recognitions, events, elections, meetings, and Chapter Newsletter archives.

Training Committee

  1. Coordinates training of Master Naturalists for the Chapter’s training program.
  2. Plans, implements and evaluates the chapter training curriculum and develops training calendar.
  3. With the Treasurer develops the class budget and recommends the class tuition to the board.
  4. Acquires and prepares class manuals.
  5. Selects all presenters and make arrangements for their class/presentation including materials, handouts and audio-visual equipment needed for the class/presentation.
  6. Arranges for speaker gifts, travel and lodging needs, and confirmation and thank you letters.
  7. Arranges for publicity – newspaper, flyers, internet.
  8. Arranges for location, room seating and equipment for all classes.
  9. Manages the on-going class through graduation.

Membership Committee

  1. Maintains a roster of the Chapter’s member names including in-training members plus addresses, phone numbers and Internet addresses. Maintains race and gender data in a confidential file in accordance with federal guidelines.
  2. Maintains a record of volunteer and advanced training hours and class training attendance.
  3. Notifies the Board of members meeting certification and threshold hour achievements.
  4. Orders and maintains the member certification and recognition awards (e.g. shirts, name tags, certificates, business cards, pins).
  5. Ensures members have a current signed liability form on file.
  6. Maintains a record of high level interests and specific expertise of members.

Volunteer Service Projects Committee

  1. Approves and notifies chapter membership regarding Volunteer Service opportunities and projects.
  2. Uses the State Master Naturalist™ Program Chapter Management Guidelines section on Volunteer Service Requirements and Chapter 5/10/06 3 guidelines (see Chapter Policy and Procedures Volunteer Service section) to review projects or activities for approval.

Advanced Training Committee

  1. Approves and notifies chapter membership regarding Advanced Training.
  2. Uses the State Master Naturalist™ Program Chapter Management Guidelines section on Advanced Training Requirements and Chapter guidelines (see Chapter Policy and Procedures Advanced Training section) to review Advanced Training for approval.

Program Committee

  1. Develops and maintains chapter calendar of activities.
  2. Schedules chapter programs and field trips for membership meetings.
  3. Notifies membership of field trip requirements (i.e. water, safety, maps, logistics, etc.).
  4. Ensure speaker or trip leader is recognized appropriately.

Newsletter Committee

  1. Responsible for collecting chapter and state news, producing and distributing the Chapter Newsletter via the web page.
  2. Officers and members will contribute the contents of the Newsletter.

Outreach Committee

  1. Responsible for the chapter outreach activities.
  2. Staffs outreach booths.
  3. Creates and maintains chapter brochure.
  4. Acquires and maintains a chapter display board.
  5. Builds and supports a chapter web page.
  6. Assists the Training Committee in promoting the chapter.

Host Committee

  1. Assists the Training Committee with class host activities – drinks, snacks, catered lunches, making handouts.
  2. Coordinates General Membership meeting host activities – drinks, snacks, party activities.

Opportunities Elsewhere

There are numerous volunteer opportunities at local parks, nature centers, and other facilities. And there are many events led by other Nature-oriented groups in the local area. Check out the following: