Kids' Weekend Workdays

Volunteers are needed during the afternoons of September 13-17 to prepare for "Kids Weekend" which will be held in October. Activities will include inventorying and preparing the activity kits, updating the procedure sheets for new activities, and preparing orientation bags for the event. Up to four volunteers are needed per afternoon.
 

If you are interested in working with kids at CBG, you'll want to attend one of three special sessions designed to make your kid experience friendly and fun! Each session will last approximately one and a half hours. Please choose from one of the following sessions and sign up ASAP. A minimum of five registered volunteers is required for each of these sessions to run.   Sessions will be offered on:

•  Thursday, Sep 9, 6:30 pm

•  Friday, Sep 10, 10 am

•  Sat, Sep 11, 11:30 am

Discussion topics will include the field trip topics and how to present them, and the range of activities that will be available to kids during our kids' weekend Oct 30 and 31.
 

Please email Pat Barfield to register.  Her information can be located at the bottom of this page.  Or, you may leave a message at 706-317-8400, or you may sign up by RSVP'ing to our CBG events on Facebook.  

Click here to visit CBG's Facebook profile.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Scarecrows in the Garden Workday and Plant Swap, Saturday, October 2

CBG will host the 2nd "Annual Scarecrows in the Garden" in October, but we need your help to make it another great success.  This event features unique creations by members of the Chattahoochee Valley community.  This is a wonderful opportunity to help the garden and to enjoy the creativity of our scarecrow design enthusiasts!  On October 2, volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with scarecrow set up; help spruce up the garden for the event; and enjoy pizza and a plant swap.  At noon, CBG will have a pizza lunch for our hard working volunteers.  RSVP to this event, call 706.327.8400, or email yourcbginfo@yahoo.com  so we can make sure we have enough pizza for all who participate.  We look forward to hearing from you!

A Great Volunteer Opportunity: Monthly Mailing Days

Want to volunteer at CBG but not interested in pulling weeds?  Do you want to help CBG grow? Mark your calendar now for our "Monthly Mailing Days".  MMD's are the FIRST FRIDAY and THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month starting at 10:00 am each morning.  We expect to have work lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 hours each time, depending upon the number of volunteers.

Each mailing day, we will be sending out anywhere from 30 to 800 pieces of mail. You might be asked to stuff envelopes, collate the materials, check address lists, proofread mailing lists, and similar tasks.
Here are some other examples of mailings you might be asked to help with:

•  monthly membership renewal appeals

•  field trips and program announcements to teachers

•  targeted membership appeals to civic groups like garden clubs, rotary

•  seminar announcements

•  fundraising appeals

In order to make sure we have meaningful work for everyone, PLEASE LET US KNOW AHEAD OF TIME IF YOU PLAN TO COME. You can contact us by phone (706-327-8400), email (yourcbginfo@yahoo.com or p.barfield@att.net) to let us know you plan to attend.

Mailings are a fun, easy way to help us get the word out about CBG and all we have to offer. Our next mailing is Friday, September 3. Yes, its a holiday, but we know not all of you are travelling. Hope to see you there!!!

  Volunteer Spotlight: James McCollum

CBG recently has the pleasure of working with a young volunteer who exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism which has been the foundation of CBG's success.  James McCollum has made a tremendous effort on the grounds as well as the spring plant sale.  He has installed and transplanted plants, set up for classes, unloaded plants prior to the plant sale, watered, and he even repaired on of our wheel barrows!  One of James' passions is old-fashioned tools.  the "Egg Beater" drill he used on the wheel barrow is from the 1920's to 1940's with the exception of the handle, which James estimates to be circa 1970.  At home, James built a functional compost bin and maintains a garden of his own.  His garden consists of kitchen groceries such as blueberries, potatoes, parsley and onion.  Thank you, James, for all of your hard work!

Thank You to All Garden Volunteers

On June 11, 2010 CBG hosted a picnic to express its appreciation to all the volunteers whose efforts and dedication help to make the Garden a success.  Lunch was prepared by our Volunteer Coordinator, Pat Barfield and Nicole Sanchez, Executive Director.   During lunch, Pat and Nicole toasted five special ladies who have exemplified volunteerism.

From left to right, Martha Dimon, Shirley Williams, Molly Day, Jean Sasser. Sitting in the front is Pat Barfield, who gave the toast.

Not pictured is Fran Fluker, she was missed due to a prior engagement.

Help Us Host a Better Event!

A selection of “butler’s pantry” items is needed to enable CBG to serve refreshments at in-house functions, meetings, and events. Clear glass or plastic and stainless steel items are desired. Other needed items include: pitchers, punch bowl, serving bowls and platters, serving utensils, spatulas and tongs, ice bucket, knives, corkscrew, large coffee maker, and dish towels.  Contact Events Committee member, Molly Day, at mollyday@cheerful.com  if you think you have something that may be helpful.  A complete list of needed items is available.  Thanks for any contributions you can make to help us be better hosts at garden events!

Become a Volunteer at the Columbus Botanical Garden

Volunteer Opportunities

• Horticulturalist: Dig in, literally, by helping staff members with general maintenance, weeding, pruning, and planting.

• Garden Guides: As a guide, serve as an interpreter for outdoor plant exhibits. Lead school groups, local clubs and organizations through the Gardens. 

•  House Guides: Relay the history of the Adams Farmhouse and out-buildings by leading a tour through the house and adjacent structures.

• Special Events and Publicity: Help with fundraisers, plant sales, Member’s Days, and other special events. Public relations, marketing and promotional assistance are always needed!

Volunteer Program

• Columbus Botanical Garden Volunteers are representatives of the Columbus Botanical Garden, and, as such, are asked to conduct themselves in a professional manner whenever participating in CBG activities.

• Volunteers help the Garden fulfill the mission:  "To preserve a portion of the rapidly diminishing open space in Columbus and to provide the public with a unique educational facility that is based on environmental awareness, horticulture, historic preservation and agricultural values.  This facility shall strive to inspire and leave a lasting impression on those who visit."

• Volunteers are required to complete a minimum of two training courses each year. Basic Volunteer Training is offered on odd numbered months.  The same information is offered for new volunteers each time.  Specialized volunteer training is offered on even numbered months.  It is given on a variety of subjects. Volunteers should take the basic course once each year and at least one specialized course during the year. Training time counts as regular volunteer time.

• Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per calendar year of service to receive volunteer benefits.

• Weekend hours are calculated at a rate of 1.5 hours for every hour worked.

• Volunteers are asked to wear khaki or black pants or skirt and a solid color shirt or blouse while on duty.

• Volunteers are eligible for a 20% discount on Saturday Seminars Series. For every 12 hours worked, volunteer may attend one Saturday Seminar during the same calendar year at no charge for a maximum of three free Seminars in a calendar year.

• After working 20 hours or more in the same calendar year, volunteers are eligible for a 20% discount off rental of the Adams Family Farmhouse

To learn more about the Columbus Botanical Garden volunteer opportunities, contact Pat Barfield, Volunteer Coordinator, at (706) 681-3478 or (706) 327-8400 during weekday business hours of 12:00-5:00 pm or e-mail at p.barfield@att.net