Come help INCG develop and staff this vital position (vacant) on its Board of Directors. Ideally, INCG would like to offer 1-2 work parties per month at school, youth program, service or community gardens. Such public gardens provide a gateway to food accessbility and growing the sustainable local food network. The need is especially heavy during the fall harvest season (August through October). Many gardens harvest unattended beds during this season, prior to the fall frosts, or harvest community beds, for donation to food banks. Your help is vital so that food doesn't rot in the gardens or go to waste, and for addressing poverty and food hunger. One in 11 households in the area is food insecure. This rate goes up to one in five households with young children. Help meet this need by serving as Volunteer Work Party Chair or work party volunteers.
We are primarily looking for a motivated person to schedule and lead the work parties, work with the INCG Tabling/Outeach team to staff the work parties, and help gardens in our region. Ideally, this individual would also volunteer as a candidate for this vacant position on the INCG Board of Directors, however, such a nonprofit board commitment is not a requirement - reporting occasionally to the board, the president, or Dr. Lally is also an acceptable way to communicate regarding upcoming work party dates and locations and missions. INCG Board Meetings are monthly, the 3rd Wednesday, 5:00-6:30 pm, WSU Extension. Saturday (or weekend) availability for INCG Volunteer Work Parties is preferred to rally public participation. Ability to use facebook to create and advertise events to the public is a must. Access to private transportation, especially a truck or trailer, is especially helpful - however, lack of access to private transportation is not a deal breaker. But, do be aware that the need for many gardens is a load of bark, compost, manure, or cardboard. Until the INCG Tool & Equipment Library (and Truck Share) is up and running, lack of access to a truck or trailer is a big gap in our services. The volunteer for the lead must be comfortable with hand tools such as loppers, hand saws, garden forks, and showing volunteers how to use them safely. Familiarity with rototillers and other power equipment, and their safety requirements is also big plus. We are especially seeking someone comfortable with inspiring or learning to inspire crews of random people in a field situation and assuring their safety and health (e.g., access to water on hot days). We are seeking one person or a team of two people working closely together to fill this vacancy.
We are also seeking Work Party volunteers who love to work outdoors in gardens. Experience leading work parties or working in gardens is not necessary, but volunteer must be willing to serve outdoors in all kinds of weather and engage in physical labor. The labor involved may be isolated, for example, weeding or harvesting at gardens or staining a picnic table or setting up season extension gear or shoveling compost to apply to gardens.
