Pulaski County Master Gardeners
HORTICULTURE HOTLINE MEETING NOTES
Summer Planning Meeting 7-25-2017
The 2017 summer Hotline meeting and social was held in historic Ten Mile House, the home of Hooker and Greg Elliott on July 26.
Nancy opened the business meeting which was attended by members, Dixie, Hilda, Dana, Jane, Sandy, Ruthie, Nancy, Paul, Melody, Kathleen, and Kay. We were joined by Kathy Ratcliffe.
NEW CLASS HOTLINE ORIENTATION
Dana and Kathleen reported for the Training Committee and the Board on the new member orientation plans for the 2017 MG class. To ensure all members receive the required Hotline orientation, up to two hours has been scheduled 8:30 – 10:30 on Wednesday, September 27 at the Pulaski County Cooperative Extension Office (CES) on Roosevelt for a group orientation for the 32 members of the class.
An comprehensive orientation, comprised of several short presentations and an office tour will be conducted by Hotline members. In Nancy’s absence, Kathleen will be coordinating the session. The tentative orientation outline is as follows:
| Introduction and Overview | 10 Minutes | Kathleen Reynolds |
| Review of CES Website | 20 Minutes | Paul Nolte |
| Review of MG Library Resources | 10 Minutes | Jan Bowen |
| Becoming a Confident and Effective Volunteer | 15 Minutes | Melody Parsley |
| Questions and Concerns Discussion | 15 Minutes | Jane Gulley |
| Review of CES Policies & Staff Responsibilities | 20 Minutes | Randy Forst |
| Small Group Rotating Tours of CES Building
and the MG Library |
6 Minutes Each
(For 5 groups) |
Hotline Members TBD |
Conversation and refreshments will be available while the small group tours are taking place. Hotline members will be expected to provide refreshments for an estimated 50 people. We will need finger foods (a combination of items similar to what we have at our social gatherings), water and lemonade. The office will provide coffee. Please let me know if you are willing to be there to answer question, conduct tours, and/or bring a dish. We will need 5 tour guides.
FOLLOWUP TRAINING
The next topic discussed was additional Hotline training and support that will be offered to any MGs willing to serve as Hotline Volunteers. It was agreed that small group or individual training session would be required for any volunteers not currently staffing the Hotline. Additionally, individual support or mentoring will be provided to any MG who staffs the Hotline if requested by the volunteer or determined to be advisable by the trainer. How follow up will be coordinated and provided will be finalized at the next Hotline meeting in January.
HOTLINE MANUAL REVISION
Jane announced that updates and revisions to the Hotline Orientation Manual will be completed before the first training session for Hotline volunteers.
FORM LETTER TO MGs WHO MISS HOTLINE ORIENTATION
Kathleen presented a draft of a letter which will be sent to any new MG who misses the orientation. The draft will be circulated to the Hotline project members for review and comment, and after the suggested revisions are incorporated, the revised draft will be presented to Randy for approval. The letter will give a deadline that if not met will result in the dismissal of the MG.
TOPICS FOR WINTER MEETING
- Hotline training dates and member assignments for those dates
- Hotline mentoring for new Hotline volunteers
- Ideas for promotion of the Hotline and recruiting volunteers
- Any other topics proposed by Hotline Project members
Kathleen closed the meeting with the announcement that Kay has agreed to serve as Hotline Co-chair in 2018, and there is an open invitation to any other Hotline project members who are interested in serving as additional co-chairs in 2018.
Hotline project members presented Nancy will a small token of appreciation for her many years of chairing the Hotline.
Refreshments and conversation followed with a tour and history of Ten Mile House from our gracious hosts.
9-1-2017