Core Group Teams:

This year (See foot note) we will be dividing the work of caring for the common areas around the community garden, into Work Teams. For the smooth running of the community garden group, we will have Core Group Teams.

• To join one of these Teams, it is recommended that experienced (second year) gardeners get involved in a Core Group Team (to help keep the community garden running smoothly) however, this is not a rule, just a suggestion. Building Team, the Events Team, the Fund-Raising team and the Communications Team. These people may also be a Team Captain.

Communications Team

• The Communications Team will also act as the Steering Team until we are able to establish such a team.

• They will keep a list of all the gardener’s and people on the waiting list. They will also have a list of outside volunteers. They will have the full contact information and the list of skills for the gardeners.

• They will meet with the Garden Coordinator to discuss any decisions that need to be made regarding the other teams as well as problems that might arise in the community garden. They will help with any disagreement that might arise between gardeners.

• The Communications Team will be responsible to create documents that are needed for keeping the gardeners informed of the progress of the community garden, like newsletters. As the communications team also holds the responsibility of a Steering Committee, they need to be community minded, and available as well for consultation regarding the documents that we use in the garden like the garden guidelines and registration forms. They will help plan the agendas for our meeting and phone the gardener’s that do not have easy access to the Internet or a computer.

Events And Workshops Team

• The Events Team will help to plan events for our community garden. They will have contact with the Communication Team, to find the needed volunteers from within the community group, as well as outside volunteers to assist with the event. They will participate in these events, and help organize them and make sure that the appropriate people are called in to do the actual event. As well, they will make sure that we have the appropriate equipment, tables etc., food and beverages for the workers things like that.

• They will make sure that the planning of an event or workshop starts at least three weeks in advance of the date for it to be approved. The event needs to be advertised to the gardeners and the public, at least two weeks in advance of it. When appropriate, the Fund-raising Team will be called in to assist.

• Seedy Saturday is a very important event for our community garden. It is an opportunity for our garden to trade our seeds to get new seeds for the new season, as well, the venues often have very good workshops and demonstrations. So, the Events Team, would work on setting up our table and making sure that our saved seeds are packaged nicely.

Fund-Raising Team

The Fund-Raising Team will work with the Events Team and on their own, to look for opportunities for the community garden to raise some funds, or where we qualify for certain grants.

• The Fund-raising Team will co-operate with the events team for our community garden. They will have contact with the Communication Team, to find the needed volunteers from within the community group, as well as outside volunteers to assist with any fund-raising project, like starting seedling for a spring plant sale. They will participate in these events, to monitor how well they work out as a source of funds. As well, they will make sure that the events team have the appropriate equipment, tables etc. Needed for any fund-raising venture.

• They will make sure that the planning of a fund raising project starts at least three weeks in advance of the date for it to be approved.

• Seedy Saturday is a very important event for our community garden. It is an opportunity for our garden to trade our seeds to get new seeds for the new season, as well, the venues often have very good workshops and demonstrations. Where as the Events Team, would work on setting up our table and making sure that our saved seeds are packaged nicely - The Fund-raising team, would take care of the seed packing and gift ideas that we would like to offer.

Building Team

• The Building team will be working on any main projects for the community garden. They will also be responsible for repairs around the garden area. As well, they will be on hand to assist gardeners with trellises or other permitted structures (like cold frames and raised garden beds).

For any main project for this year, the Building Team will train the volunteers and other gardener’s in the safe use of tools. And make sure that they have the proper safety equipment required for the tools that they will be using.

Team Captains

If you wish to become a Team Captain, fist of all, thank you. I think that it will be an interesting assignment. The requirement for being a Team Captain - is that you have been associated with our community garden for at least two years. As well, that you have time above caring for your garden and your task.

• Step one, pick the working group that you would like to be the captain of.

• Step two, you will receive the list of people that have joined that team.

• Step three, you will call a meeting to organize the group and, according to the number of people that have joined and the type of tasks that your group will be doing, you will set up a schedule so that the work gets done on a regular basis.

• Step four, report back to the garden coordinator (Susan) with a copy of the schedule. You can also have the coordinator present for you your meeting, or you can consult with her before hand.

• Foot note: 2010 - we started to use this program, and it has worked out well