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Cool weather, colorful skies, and many ways to stay active during the winter at your MetroParks including a variety of indoor and outdoor volunteer opportunities!
In this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter:
- Volunteer Updates: Volunteer Impact Assessments, Annual Volunteer Survey, and New Volunteer Nametags Coming to You!
- Sustainability Tip: Recycle your holiday lights at MetroParks locations! Donations support the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation.
- Volunteer Spotlight: Rebecca Schenking - Continuing a Family Tradition of Volunteering
- Volunteer Positions & Opportunities: Winter volunteer opportunities available! We need YOUR Support at some festive Holiday events! Plus, Trail Workdays, Administrative Projects, and more!
- Get Connected Tech Tip: See your Volunteer Impact in Your Volunteer Resume!
- Staff Lead Highlight: The 2nd Street Market Team -Lynda Suda, Sally Leatherman and Sandy Coomer
- Volunteer Appreciation: Sunset at the Market, brand new long-sleeved volunteer shirts and more!
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Volunteer Updates: Impact Assessments, Annual Volunteer Survey, and NEW Volunteer Nametags Coming to You!
Volunteers with 25 hours or more in 2023 will receive a volunteer impact assessment in early 2024. This assessment is designed to show you the impact you made this year volunteering for Five Rivers MetroParks. This will be in addition to our annual Volunteer Impact Report that we look forward to sharing with you and the public in January. Anxious to take a peak? Check out how to view your volunteer impact in your Get Connected Volunteer Resume in this month's Get Connected Tech Tip.
This month: We are asking all of our volunteers ages 14 and up--(that means you!) to take a few minutes to complete our annual Volunteer Survey. This survey gives us important information on who our volunteers are, their volunteer experience, and how we can continue to make volunteering better with our agency. Please click here to complete this year's survey before December 31st.
Coming in 2024, we are rolling out new volunteer nametags for all long-term volunteers. These new nametags will include your volunteer profile photo (if you have one), the year you started volunteering, the volunteer positions you've fanned, and your unique Get Connected volunteer user ID# printed and sealed in a convenient waterproof nametag holder. Look for yours soon! If you haven't already, consider adding a profile photo to your Get Connected volunteer account. Check out this demo video with volunteer coordinator Janelle Leonard to learn how.
Not a long-term volunteer with us yet? You can complete your volunteer onboarding requirements easily and join our ongoing, long-term volunteer team. Click here and respond to our Volunteer Onboarding opportunity to learn more and get started! Or sign up for an upcoming Volunteer Open House to receive assistance in-person from a member of our dedicated Volunteer Services team.
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Sustainability Tip: Recycle your Holiday Lights at MetroParks Locations
Donations support the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation!
"Recycling lights that no longer work and were going to be thrown away is such an easy way to be more sustainable this holiday season" says Bernadette Whitworth, Five Rivers MetroParks historical and cultural resource manager. Starting December 1, Five Rivers MetroParks and Cohen Recycling are partnering again to make the holidays greener by providing bins at six MetroParks locations where residents can drop off holiday lights to be recycled. This is our fifth holiday season offering the recycling program and we are excited to be able to offer another way for people to support our conservation mission. In addition, Cohen will make a donation to the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation based on how many lights are recycled.
Drop off unwanted lights at any of the six MetroParks locations between December 1 and February 1. Light strands should be loose and not in bags or boxes. The following locations are accessible during park hours, daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-Carriage Hill MetroPark, 7800 E. Shull Rd., Dayton: Recycling bin is located outside the Visitor Center entrance.
-Sugarcreek MetroPark, 4178 Conference Rd., Bellbrook: Recycling bin is located at the main parking lot entrance under the kiosk.
-Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton: Recycling bin is located at the front of the main building.
-Possum Creek MetroPark, 4790 Frytown Rd., Dayton: Recycling bin located at the education building at the Possum Creek Farm.
-Cox Arboretum MetroPark, 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton. Recycling bin located outside the Visitor Center entrance.
Our 2nd Street Market location, 600 E. Second St., Dayton will have bins accessible any time. The recycling bin is located at the northwest entrance.
Read more about this story and other great stories in the MetroParks Online blog here.
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Rebecca Schenking - Continuing a Family Tradition of Volunteering
Rebecca Schenking comes from a family who not only valued volunteer service, but also made volunteering a family tradition. Growing up in Dayton, her dad would take her out into the community with her mom and grandmom to give back. These outings might be organized volunteer service, or simply picking up litter in our community greenspaces as they enjoyed them. A life-long park lover, Rebecca is passionate about supporting our parks. Even with a busy schedule, she believes it is important to find the time to give back to these community resources. "I love the parks! It is important to me that my kids see a good example, just as my dad instilled ways to help when I was a child." she shared.
Whether it is a garden workday, supporting a program, participating in one of our events, or enjoying some R&R with family, you can be sure to spot Rebecca in one of the parks volunteering by herself, or continuing her family's tradition by volunteering with her family (mom and kids). She has volunteered at over 20 Adopt A Park events, volunteered at the 2nd Street Market, supported garden workdays and enlisted her Girl Scout Troop to support a number of park volunteer projects. She is also a regular at a variety of special events, including The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, volunteering at this event since it started as Gear Fest.
Start your family volunteer tradition by volunteering together at our family-friendly volunteer opportunities. You can search all of our opportunities for family-friendly opportunities in Get Connected.
Thank you, Rebecca, for your outstanding commitment, dedication, and service to Five Rivers MetroParks!
Meet more amazing Metroparks' volunteers in our monthly Volunteer Spotlights here.
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Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
The warmer months may have passed us by, but we still need your help in the MetroParks!
View the volunteer opportunities below to see how you can support your MetroParks this month through volunteer service. Don't forget to FAN the Volunteer Positions you support. When you FAN a volunteer position you receive a weekly digest email for that position that includes new volunteer opportunities. It also lets your Volunteer Services team know that you are interested in that position and its opportunities.
See something that interests you, but have questions? Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275.
Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk
Christmas on the Farm
A Holiday Evening on the Farm
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Administrative volunteers play an essential role in helping us complete much needed projects and can be based at our main office, at a park location, and may even be virtual.
Aullwood History Research:
Are you interested in local history? Help document the historical significance of the Aull family and the Aullwood property to our region by conducting independent research and reviewing and organizing historical documents. Please complete our History Research Interest Form, and a staff person will contact you to discuss a research topic.
Project-Based Administrative Volunteers:
Detail-oriented individuals with computer skills needed! Support staff with a variety of short-term administrative projects. Common tasks may include data entry, document creation, graphic design, writing or editing, photo or video editing, or compiling internet research. On-site or virtual opportunities may arise. Submit your Computer Skills Assessment now to be added to our pool of Administrative volunteers. As future project requests arise, these volunteers will be invited to join administrative projects that match their skill set.
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Five Rivers MetroParks provides clean, safe parks and conservation areas for the public to enjoy year-round. Our Park Maintenance volunteers help to manage and sustain 18 beautiful parks, 11 conservation areas, and 160 miles of hike, bike, mountain bike, and horseback- riding trails for park visitors to safely enjoy.
Volunteer Anna Kahut looked for ways to give back and found opportunities that can fit into her busy schedule. She helps make the 2nd Street Market sparkle!
Market Custodial Support:
Calling all "neat freaks"! Our 2nd Street Market is looking for WEEKEND custodial support THIS WINTER! Not only will you get to flex your cleaning muscles, but you'll get to meet and interact with some amazing people from your community. The 2nd Street Market supports small, local entrepreneurs with a strong emphasis on food, agriculture, gardening, and home decor in an atmosphere that provides a comfortable and inviting gathering place for the diverse population of the greater Dayton area.
So if you're ready to have some fun and donate a couple of hours to support in keeping this wonderful community space sparkling clean for the public to connect and gather, click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to view the opportunities available and sign up to support!
Thank you, CJ students, for helping to keep our trails in good condition! Short-term and long-term volunteers are needed to support our trails. Join us!
Trail Maintenance:
HIGH NEED MoMBA Trail Maintenance
If you love the outdoors and want to help keep trails in good condition, join us at our trail maintenance volunteer opportunities! We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help keep our trails in tip-top shape for all visitors to enjoy. No experience necessary, just a willingness to get your hands a little dirty and a love for the great outdoors. Plus, you'll get to meet some like-minded folks and maybe even spot some wildlife along the way. Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to view the opportunities available and sign up to support!
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Five Rivers MetroParks takes pride in the variety of hands-on, skilled trades opportunities we offer, both in historical and modern-day settings. Our Skilled Trades volunteers help drive our mission forward by assisting with maintenance projects in fabrication, repair, and interpretation.
Volunteers during textile days work on projects and learn new skills. Susan Steinke shows Zarriah Blumenstock how easy it is to weave a beautiful winter scarf.
Textile and Fiber Arts:
Textile workdays are never boring! Volunteers have an opportunity to share their time and talents, and learn some new skills, while creating items to be used by MetroParks volunteers and staff. We are currently looking for volunteers with skills in sewing, crocheting, knitting, and weaving. Join us at Carriage Hill MetroPark for a behind the scenes weekday or weekend opportunity! Learn more and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Limited skills but big interest? Look for opportunities to support our textile programs here.
Volunteer woodworkers are busy creating fun structures you can find throughout this season out in the park. Visit Cox Arboretum and see how many you can find.
Woodworking at Cox Arboretum:
Do you have skills in woodworking and carpentry that you would like to share? Attend this annual equipment training and then join our Woodworking at Cox Arboretum volunteer team! Once trained and checked off on the safe operation of the woodworking equipment, alongside staff, volunteers use their skills and expertise to plan, strategize, and craft a variety of woodworking projects at Cox Arboretum MetroPark! Click the green button to learn more and RSVP for this in-person training.
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Event volunteers ensure that a positive, high-energy, outdoor enthusiasm tone starts at the welcome, and the event appears seamless and effortless for all who participate.
Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk:
Join us for this year's Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk Saturday, December 2nd from 5-7pm! This treasured holiday tradition will be back to help our community kick off the holiday season and volunteers will be needed to help prepare the gardens for the event, decorate the house, set up the luminaries, serve refreshments, and more. Volunteer opportunities are available for youth ages 14 and up, adult volunteers, and groups before, during, and after the event. View all the available volunteer opportunities and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
Christmas on the Farm:
The start of the winter season is here and Carriage Hill ushers in a full day of holiday celebration! Join us Saturday, December 9, for Christmas on the Farm as we share cherished historic Christmas traditions with the public. Volunteer opportunities are available for youth ages 16 and up, adult volunteers, and seasoned historic interpreters before, during, and after the event. Christmas is a time for family and traditions to come together to form memories. View all the available volunteer opportunities and sign up by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
High Priority Needs:
Christmas on the Farm: Set Up Team
Christmas on the Farm: Event Ambassador
Christmas on the Farm: Program Support
A Holiday Evening on the Farm:
Join us for a magical holiday evening on the historic farm during this year's A Holiday Evening at Carriage Hill, Saturday, December 9th! Volunteers are needed to support this magical evening holiday experience supporting a variety of opportunities available for youth ages 16 and up, adult volunteers, and seasoned historic interpreters. View all of the Holiday Evening at Carriage Hill available by clicking the blue VOLUNTEER button below.
High Priority Needs:
A Holiday Evening at Carriage Hill: Program Support
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Get Connected Tech Tip: Your Volunteer Impact
Volunteer hours are still an important part of showing volunteer impact which helps us apply for a variety of grants, and helps you earn rewards from our Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP). Volunteer hours are tabulated easily with Get Connected when you check in to your scheduled opportunity shifts. You can view a summary of your total volunteer impact this year in your Volunteer Resume. Here's how!
1. Login to your Get Connected account.
2. From your account menu, select "View Profile". Here you will see a blue button titled Volunteer Resume.
3. Click the blue "Volunteer Resume" button.
4. Filter the dates for January 1st, 2023-December 31st, 2023, and then click the blue "GO" button. This will bring up a file with your volunteer impact from the year that you can download, save, or print. How many hours did you volunteer with us this year? Be sure to check out this year's volunteer incentive items to see what you qualify for under Volunteer Appreciation. Thank you for your volunteer support this year!
Notice anything missing in your Volunteer Resume? As the year is coming to a close, please take some time to review your volunteer hours in your Get Connected account. If you have questions about your volunteer hours, reach out to your Volunteer Services team for assistance at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or call #937-275-7275 an ask to speak with a Volunteer Coordinator.
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Staff Highlight: 2nd Street Market Staff
Staff Highlights are a great way for volunteers to get to know our staff and for staff to share their work with volunteers.
If you've volunteered for a shift at the 2nd street Market, you've had the pleasure of working with Lynda, Sally or Sandy, the dynamic dream team that keeps the rhythm of the Market flowing. Volunteer shifts at the Market currently include the Market Ambassador, Market Program Support, Market Custodial Support, as well as a Wegerzyn Gift & Garden Shop opportunity offered through our partner organization, the Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation.
"Including a volunteer presence at the Market adds to the sense of community. Volunteering gives people an opportunity to feel like they are making a difference, which is essential to our collective mental health." - Lynda Suda, Market Manager
"Volunteers really help our team. They take work off our shoulders, especially welcoming them (visitors) to the Market, helping them find the vendor or product they are looking for, or being a contact person for us if anyone needs help. We appreciate what they do for us." -Sally Leatherman, Market Coordinator
"Our volunteers are our support, an extension of our voices and our arms. Often it is the little things that are overlooked that are the most impactful. Our volunteers are on the ground alongside us in the daily operation of the Market." -Sandra Coomer, Market Coordinator
Thank you, Market Staff, for all you do to support volunteers!
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Volunteer Appreciation
Thank you for joining us this year to make a difference in your MetroParks!
As I'm sure you've learned by now and even experienced, we certainly could not do what we do without YOU! To thank you and celebrate your service, we will be offering our volunteer incentive and appreciation items again this year including our service milestone pins for those with 25, 50, 75, 100-1000 volunteer hours with us, and volunteer apparel for those active volunteers with 25 or more hours:
-Volunteer T-Shirt (Short-Sleeved)-25 hours
-Volunteer Hat (Knit or Baseball)- 50 hours
-NEW! Volunteer Long-Sleeved Shirt- 75 hours
Note: Volunteers with 50 or more hours may choose a short-sleeved t-shirt and a hat. Volunteers with 75 hours or more may choose a long-sleeved or short-sleeved t-shirt and a hat.
Additionally, we are inviting volunteers with 25 hours of volunteer service or more in 2023 to join us for Sunset at the Market on Thursday evening, December 7th from 5:30pm-8:30pm at the 2nd Street Market. The Market in collaboration with the Arcade Holly Days, and Dayton RTA will be hosting a special downtown Dayton evening of Holiday shopping and entertainment. Roaming Carolers, Artisan, specialty and prepared food will be in attendance. A RTA shuttle bus service will be making stops at both locations as well as the Oregon District Parking Garage between 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM. Shop both locations this evening for a chance to win a festive artisan vendor Holiday basket!
Qualifying volunteers (with 25 hours or more in 2023) will receive $20 in Market Money to spend at the 2nd Street Market, as well as any volunteer incentive and appreciation items they have earned for 2023 volunteer service.
Learn more and RSVP to attend this special event by clicking the green RSVP button below. Registration available through Dec. 1st.
Note: This is a public event, and everyone is welcome to attend. This RSVP is specifically for the volunteer appreciation part of the evening including Market Money and volunteer incentive and appreciation items.
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Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up. Contact us at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275 (PARK).
Your Volunteer Services Team
Yvonne Dunphe - Outdoor Connections Programming #(937) 277-4147
Allie Zimmerman - Parks & Conservation #(937) 274-3176
Janelle Leonard - Administration & Animal Care #(937) 277-5445
Amanda Wheatley - Ambassador & Special Events #(937) 277-4109
Jenny Hymans - Human Resources Manager of Volunteer Services #(937) 567-1413
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