Committee Information
Education Committee
The current focus of the VMGA Education Committee is to provide advanced continuing education for Extension Master Gardeners (EMG) to improve their ability to plan and conduct local programs for the gardening public and their units. We do this in three ways.
We sponsor advanced continuing education, especially programs that satisfy the education needs EMG expressed in the August 2020 Educational Needs Survey. VMGA Education Sponsorships include major events through unit meeting programs and help fund units’ advanced continuing education programs for EMG in their area.
We Produce advanced continuing education events when that is the best way to fulfill a continuing education need. During 2021 we hope to produce a four-part series titled Growing Your Own Food, at least one webinar on Horticulture Therapy and other topics such as Tree Identification.
If you have suggestions for education topics, speakers, locations or a desire to join the committee, please email the Chair of the Education Committee at Education@VMGA.net.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee fosters communication between individuals and local groups of Master Gardeners through the web site, the newsletter (Editor is Jennifer Graham newsletter@vmga.net) and facilitating electronic messaging to the membership (Contact Frank Reilly Communications@vmga.net for more information.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee assists the Treasurer in proposing a budget to the Board, and monitors investments for growth opportunities.
Membership Committee
VMGA’s Membership Committee is tasked with maintaining reliable contact information for each member – not an easy task in this day of changing email addresses! Committee chairs rely on the Membership Chair for names of members who have expressed an interest in committee work. The Chair prepares mailing lists and information for the Membership Directory and manages the membership application and renewal processes annually.
Join us! New members and renewing members have the option of submitting an online Membership Application VMGA Membership Application and paying by either check or PayPal OR downloading an application and mailing it to the Membership Chair. Renewing members submit a Membership Application to ensure current choices for participation and contact information. Life Members are asked to keep VMGA informed of any changes in contact information – email the Membership Chair. Questions? Contact the Membership Chair!
Newsletter Committee
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Unit Support Committee
The Unit Support Committee is available to assist MG units across the state on issues that can benefit from the diverse experience of the Committee members – from dealing without an agent to 501(c)3 status and many others.
helps local MG Units with management problems
helps new, local MG Units get organized, particularly with respect to choosing whether to incorporate, obtain tax-exempt status and other crucial aspects of forming,
and provides a clearinghouse for information exchange.
Connecting Units to Solutions and Ideas
The committee receives requests for information, assistance or solutions and either directs the request to a source or may ask that others contribute. Unit Support Committee members are familiar with much of what goes on around the state and facilitates connections.
Advertising Local Unit/Association Events
The Unit Support Committee also provides assistance to units or local associations wishing to promote to VMGA membership an event they are sponsoring. A strict policy has been developed to ensure the privacy of our members, found in our Standing Rules.
The VMGA Report is also available for promoting local events. The newsletter is published electronically in the odd-numbered months. Submissions may be made directly to the editor at Newsletter@VMGA.net.
If the timing of newsletter distribution does not meet the unit’s or association’s needs, the Unit Support Committee will facilitate an electronic mailing for local units. Local units desiring an electronic mailing must provide the message they wish to distribute to the VMGA webmaster who will email the members in such a way to avoid distributing the mailing list. For more information please contact the Unit Support Chair.
Topical Resources
The committee has compiled information on several topics, and adds to this as unit needs arise. You may want to write the Unit Support Chair if you have a topic about which you need information, or if you require another format than the PDF offered here.
Plant Sales. How does your unit handle them, and other fundraising efforts? VMGA asked units to tell us. Click Plant-Sales to see the results of that survey and discussion at a VMGA meeting.
Tax Exempt Organization. While we are not able to provide specific legal information, VMGA and some local associations have experiences in obtaining tax exempt status as a 501(c)3 organization, staying exempt and reinstating exempt status. Click here to see tips on completing the new IRS shortened application form.
Unit Financial Procedures: Pat Reilly presented a slide show at the October 2022 meeting which every Treasurer should read: VMGA Financial Reports – Board Responsibilities
Virginia Master Gardener (MG) Gear Committee
While sales have been temporarily halted we are in the process of implementing systems to resume sales of Virginia Master Gardener Gear. We are sharing the responsibility of roles and look forward to introducing new points of contact and Committee Chair Members. Virginia Master Gardener Merchandise inquiries continue to be directed to sales@vmga.net.
Fund Raising Committee
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Diane Relf Master Gardener College Scholarships Committee
Click here for more details on the scholarship
State Fair Committee
The State Fair Committee arranges with the Virginia State Fair for a Virginia Master Gardener booth. The committee creates relevant activities and schedules MG units to cover shifts during the Fair. The objective is to raise awareness about Virginia’s Master Gardener program and to extend horticultural or environmental education to the Fair attendees. This activity reaches tens of thousands of Virginians every year.
The committee is responsible for communication with the Virginia State Fair organization to assure that all needs are met. VMGA’s State Fair often asks the Master Gardener volunteers to assist with other areas at the Fair, and the level of cooperation in past years has assured continued success for the MG booth.
The Virginia State Fair usually takes place outside Richmond in late September through early October. Each year in late summer the committee begins to plan the activities for the booth that year, and to schedule MG units from around the state to work the booth.
Because this committee is a Special Committee, a chair is selected each year as planning begins. Feel free to contact VMGA’s President to express interest in the State Fair Committee
Financial Review Committee
The Financial Review Committee is appointed in the spring of each year. The committee is responsible for auditing the Treasurer’s records and reporting their findings at the Annual Meeting in June.