mission_values

The purpose of the Union County Master Gardeners Association, a not-for-profit organization, shall be to promote and teach environmentally sound, research-based gardening practices primarily to the residents of Union County and secondarily to other Ohio residents, under the auspices of The Ohio State University Extension of Union County.

A.      Master Gardener Trainee - Individual currently enrolled in the Master Gardener Course.

B.      Master Gardener Intern - Individual who has successfully completed the Master Gardener Course and is accruing his/her fifty (50) hours of volunteer service. Interns will have one year (12 months) upon completion of the Master Gardener Course to complete the 50 service hour requirement and attain certified Master Gardener status.

C.      Certified Master Gardener - Individual who has completed Master Gardener Course and fifty (50) hours of volunteer service. Master Gardeners must be re-certified each year to maintain their active status and the Master Gardener title. Master Gardener re-certification is achieved by completing a minimum of ten (10) hours of volunteer service and completing a minimum of six (6) hours of horticultural education on an annual basis.

D. Inactive Master Gardener - Individual who desires to remain a Master Gardener but has not completed the annual commitment of 10 volunteer service hours. An inactive Master Gardener is one who is in good standing, having completed the original commitment of training, exam, and volunteer service. The inactive Master Gardener must complete six (6) hours of education in horticulture for each year they are inactive. An inactive Master Gardener may re-certify within three (3) years as long as they meet the criteria noted above. Individuals on inactive status for more than three (3) years, must also retake and pass the final exam in addition to meeting the education requirements noted above.

E. Out-of-State Master Gardener - Individual who is certified through another state's Master Gardener Program may be admitted into the Union County Master Gardener Program by meeting the following criteria:

a.) acquire a current Ohio Master Gardener training manual and an Ohio Master Gardener name badge,
b.) score a minimum of 70% on the final exam administered by the Union County Master Gardener Coordinator,
c.) meet the re-certification requirements listed in Article III D.

F. Ohio Out-of-County Master Gardener - Individual who is certified in another Ohio county may be admitted into the Union County Master Gardener Program by meeting the following criteria:

a.) be a certified Ohio Master Gardener in good standing,
b.) complete an interview with the Union County Master Gardener Coordinator,
c.) transfer their records to the Union County Master Gardener Coordinator from the county where they are currently certified.

G. Dismissed Master Gardener - Individual who displays repeated and consistent disregard for the policies and guidelines established by The Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Master Gardener Program. The Master Gardener in question will be informed in writing of the termination of his/her affiliation with the Union County Master Gardeners Association. This notice of dismissal will become part of the volunteer’s confidential file.

H. The membership eligibility year is May 1 through April 30.

The nominating committee, appointed by the President, will present a slate of officer candidates at the October meeting. Nominations may be accepted from the floor. If there is more than one nominee per office, election will be by written ballot.
The association officers may serve no more than two, one-year, consecutive terms. The term of office shall be from January 1 through December 31.
Any unexpired term will be filled by appointment by the Master Gardener Coordinator and the President of the Association

A. Duties of Officers

President - Preside at all regular meetings and officer meetings, prepare monthly agendas, appoint committee chairs as necessary, and sign checks in the absence of the Treasurer. The President will serve as ex-officio member of all standing committees except nominating. The President will appoint a Finance Committee to oversee Association finances as outlined in Article V. 2.
Vice President - Perform such duties as pertain to the office of the President, in the absence of the President. The Vice President will serve as Chair of the Education Committee.
Secretary - Record the minutes of each meeting, keep attendance records, and send a copy of the minutes to the Master Gardener Coordinator on a timely basis. The minutes will be posted monthly on the Association’s Web site. The Secretary will also be responsible for correspondence of the Association.
Treasurer - Maintain an accurate account of Treasury and OSU Foundation receipts and disbursements and give a monthly accounting to the Master Gardener Association. Collect and deposit all monies to the bank of choice determined by the Union County Master Gardener Association. Disburse funds upon the approval of the Master Gardener Coordinator or the Master Gardener Association. Prepare an annual budget in conjunction with the Finance Committee. Assist the Finance Committee in performing an annual audit of the Association’s income and expense.
All Officers - Attend Officer Meetings chaired by the President and attended by the Master Gardener Coordinator conducted at least one week prior to the monthly Association meeting to facilite the orderly operation of the Association and to provide leadership, direction and guidance for continuity and quality of the program and to meet the Association's purpose and objectives.

B. Finance - consists of the Treasurer and two (2) members appointed by the President. Review and screen all funding requests presented to the Association to ensure alignment with the Association’s mission, approved projects, educational activities, workshops, etc. identified through the standing committees. Present appropriate requests to Association members at monthly meetings for their approval/disapproval. Develop and maintain guidelines for, and oversee movement of treasury funds, contributions, grants, etc. to and from the OSU Foundation and include Foundation monies as a line entry in monthly and annual reports to the Association. Prepare an annual budget for presentation to the membership for approval at the January meeting. Assist with the annual audit of the Association’s income and expenses along with the Treasurer and an Ad Hoc member appointed by the President and report findings at the January meeting. The Treasurer shall serve as Chairperson of the Finance Committee. The Ad Hoc member appointed by the President will chair the treasury audit.

I. Project Evaluation/Selection - responsible for reviewing and approving/disapproving any request from the community for assistance with projects involving the Association's expertise, manpower resources, etc. The committee will confer with the Master Gardener Coordinator to determine the total number of projects and hours the Association may commit to on an annual basis and will remain within the project number and hours allocation when making project selections. The committee will conduct an annual review of ongoing/historic projects to determine whether they will included within the annual project allocation.

In the event the Union County Master Gardeners Association terminates their Association, the funds in the treasury will be donated to the Union County Extension Office.