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Nature is always open! Research shows spending just 20 minutes in nature - or simply going outside - improves your wellbeing. Click here to learn more about MetroParks programs and activities to help you get active outside this January, and don't forget to check out this month's volunteer opportunities below.
In this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter:
- Feature: Living & Serving More Sustainably in the New Year
- Volunteer Updates: User Groups, Impact Assessments, New Nametags, and Equpment & Vehicle Qualification Expirations
- Volunteer Spotlight: Richard White - Connecting Your Passions to Giving Back
- Volunteer Positions & Opportunities: Kick Start your New Year with these Great Volunteer Opportunities - Trail Maintenance, Gardening at Aullwood, The Adventure Summit and More!
- Get Connected Tech Tip: Do you have a User Group?
- Staff Lead Highlight: Dan Kuebler, Park Manager Hills and Dales MetroPark
- Volunteer Appreciation: Annual Volunteer Survey Raffle Winners!
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Living & Serving More Sustainably in the New Year
Did you know Five Rivers MetroParks was recently honored for its outstanding environmental commitment to becoming a carbon-negative agency? Local cities and organizations including Five Rivers MetroParks were celebrated for their environmental achievements this year at the recent Bring Your Green Luncheon. A combined effort of businesses, organizations and individuals, the Bring Your Green initiative focuses on sustainability and environmental impact through education, technology/tracking tools, challenges, and certifications.
Five Rivers MetroParks has three strategic initiatives: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Climate Change Mitigation, and Sustained Financial Growth. You can learn more about these strategic initiatives here. Your Volunteer Services team has been making great strides at incorporating these initiatives into volunteer engagement. Moving to Get Connected, our online volunteer engagement and management system, has greatly reduced paper waste generated from volunteer scheduling, time tracking, and training documentation and created efficiencies. Moving away from event t-shirts has greatly reduced costs, waste, and environmental pollution from the production of so many t-shirts. Volunteers at our many special events, and other volunteer opportunities, now wear our reusable volunteer vests making them easy to identify across an event footprint and/or park.
Moving to reusable volunteer vests; however, doesn't mean that we do not want to share our appreciation for the great work that you do! We developed a VIP Program to recognize volunteer service in a strategic and sustainable way. Volunteers with service milestones of 25 hours and up can receive a milestone pin recognizing their service. Additionally, volunteers with 25 or more hours can elect to receive a navy short-sleeved volunteer t-shirt, volunteers with 50 hours or more can elect to receive a navy volunteer hat, and volunteers with 75 or more hours can receive our forest green long-sleeved volunteer shirt in recognition of their valuable service. This brand-new long-sleeved volunteer shirt is made of sustainably sourced cotton and recycled plastic. Plus, the company we purchase from plants trees with each order received-win-win! Want to learn more about our VIP Program or check to see if you qualify? Contact volunteer.services@metroparks.org.
Check out these great articles available now on ParkwaysOnline, the MetroParks blog, to help you live more sustainably by incorporating simple healthy practices into your everyday life:
- Living More Sustainably in the New Year
- 6 Tips to Tackle Your New Years Resolutions Outdoor this Year
One of the best ways to accomplish a variety of healthy life-style goals including giving back, getting outside, making new friends, learning something new, and making a difference is volunteering! We hope you'll consider joining us again as a returning volunteer or joining us for the first time as a brand-new volunteer in this New Year. Be sure to check out our volunteer opportunities below and available on Get Connected. Simply click the blue "VOLUNTEER" or blue "RESPOND" button to get started. If you need any assistance, we're here to help you! Give us a call at 937-275-7275, send us an email at volunteer.services@metroparks.org, or join us for an upcoming in-person Volunteer Open House. You can also learn more about getting started as a volunteer here. We look forward to seeing you volunteering with us (again) soon!
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Important Volunteer Updates for 2024
User Groups, Impact Assessments, New Nametags, and Equipment & Vehicle Qualification Expirations
New! User Groups
Volunteers will now be requested to select an appropriate User Group to attribute volunteer hours to when checking in to a volunteer opportunity or adding hours. What is a User Group? We're sharing all about User Groups in this month's Get Connected Tech Tip below and available on the Volunteer Blog.
Notes: Not all volunteers have a User Group. If you do not currently belong to any user groups, this option won't be visible. Common User Groups include Carriage Hill Riding Center, MVPs, Master Recyclers, Adventure Central, and Wildlife Ambassadors.
New! Volunteer Impact Assessments
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.
New! Volunteer Nametags
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.
New! Vehicle & Equipment Qualification Expirations
Volunteers have long been required to check off annually and "re-qualify" to operate MetroParks equipment and vehicles. In order to better train for and track this type of skilled service, moving forward these qualifications will expire at the end of each calendar year. Look for new opportunities to train, check off, and re-qualify for equipment and vehicles for 2024 to post soon!
Volunteer Survey
Thank you to all those that completed our annual volunteer survey! Check out our Volunteer Appreciation section of this newsletter or in the Volunteer Blog to see if you were one of our lucky survey raffle winners!
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Richard White - Connecting your Passions to Giving Back
Richard White began volunteering with us in 2017 supporting the Outdoor Recreation team. He enjoyed working with the staff while supporting a variety of activities connected to his passions: cycling, paddling, and of course, great parks! Richard quickly became a regular at a variety of special events including Bike to Work Day, The TVT Challenge, The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, and The Adventure Summit, and a skilled volunteer at our paddlesports programs providing on-the-water assistance as a safety boater. Brent Anslinger, Outdoor Recreation Manager, shared, "Richard brings a contagious fun-loving positive vibe every time he volunteers. His energy is combined with some incredible technical skills from paddling to mechanics to customer service that make Richard a star. We are lucky to have Richard as part of our volunteer crew and now that he is retired, we can't wait to get to see more of Richard supporting Five Rivers MetroParks."
As a volunteer you can pick the things that interest you, and he says " if you have the time, do it. If everyone helps, all things can get done." Richard believes, "giving of yourself also makes you feel better," and when you do something useful it supports making it better for all who participate. He was surprised by his long-term commitment, but shared that when you do something you like, and give back to places you enjoy, it is so fulfilling.
Now retired, Richard has found volunteer opportunities that he can support year-round while reconnecting with another one of his passions-horses! Richard supports a variety of opportunities available at the Carriage Hill Riding Center year-round. Thanks to his support and the support of many other volunteers at the Carriage Hill Riding Center, MetroParks is able to care for these wonderful animals and bring them to the community at a variety of available public programs throughout the year from pony rides to horseback riding lessons, to vaulting, to equestrian camps, and trail rides. Katherine Berg, Riding Center Manager, shared this about Richard. "Richard has been a great asset to our volunteer crew at the Riding Center. He is a hard worker, his sense of humor is contagious, and he is always up for helping with whatever task is set for the day. It's been fun to see him re-engage with horses and re-discover the joy they bring. I enjoy working with Richard and appreciate all he does for MetroParks!"
Thank you, Richard, for your positive energy and outstanding commitment to volunteer service for Five Rivers MetroParks!
Meet more amazing Metroparks' volunteers in our monthly Volunteer Spotlights here.
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Volunteer Positions & Upcoming Opportunities
Kickstart your New Year by volunteering with us this month!
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.
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Administrative volunteers work behind the scenes on a variety of clerical projects to ensure that our frontline staff and volunteers have all they need to provide high-quality parks, programs, and services.
Thanks to the support of volunteers, the history of Aullwood Gardens is documented with photos, historical documents, and research. Pictured is Marie Aull in the early years at the farm.
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.
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Ambassadors are often the first friendly face a visitor sees welcoming them to the park and can be counted on to share helpful information and answer a variety of questions. Are you a people person? Here is a great opportunity to share your enthusiasm for Five Rivers MetroParks, 2nd Street Market, and shopping local!
Ambassador volunteers, Rebecca Schenking and Carol Williamson, welcome attendees and help them find all the exciting things happening at the Adventure Summit.
Info Central at the Adventure Summit:
MetroParks is looking for individuals with knowledge of the organization and great customer service skills to serve as Info Central volunteers at The Adventure Summit! Info Central volunteers serve as Ambassadors for the event and MetroParks. They are the first people visitors will have contact with at the event and they should exhibit positivity, high energy, and enthusiasm at the start of the visitor experience! Volunteers will answer questions about the event and MetroParks and help with wayfinding. Knowledge of Wright State University is a plus! Volunteers will leave knowing they have promoted an active, healthy lifestyle in the region and have contributed to making Dayton "The Adventure Capital of the Midwest!" Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Market Ambassador volunteer, Barbara Czestochowa, lets visitors know about all the exciting things available at the 2nd Street Market.
2nd Street Market Ambassador:
Is 2nd Street Market one of your favorite places to be on a Saturday or Sunday? Do you love seeing familiar faces and chatting with locals? Become a 2nd Street Market Ambassador! Market Ambassadors greet guests, help with wayfinding, answer questions, and contribute to the welcome feel of the Market. Volunteers enhance the visitor experience, help curate the Market's unique, vibrant culture for our customers, and support our vendors in providing sustainable local food to the community. Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
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Gardening volunteers support our horticulture and education staff in caring for a variety of gardens throughout our parks. These gardens not only provide beautiful spaces for Miami Valley residents to get outside, explore, and connect to nature, but many also provide fresh local produce to those in need in our community.
Winter is the perfect time to get some gardening done, and you never know what early blooms might surprise you!
Gardening at Aullwood MetroPark:
Gardening?...in January? Yes! While some gardens are resting under the chill of cold temperatures, Aullwood Garden is still very active! In addition to routine garden and landscape maintenance, this is a great time of the year to learn about sanitizing and proper care of gardening tools, as well as assist staff with tool inventory. If you are interested in helping, grab your winter hat, and warm garden gloves, and click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to view the opportunities available and sign up to support! Please remember, these opportunities are WEATHER DEPENDENT. If you have responded to a gardening shift, keep an eye out in your email for potential cancellations.
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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 Joe Untener checks in with vendors as part of his time at 2nd Street Market.
Market Custodial Support:
If you love spending time at the 2nd Street Market and want to give back to this amazing community asset, we have a great opportunity for you! We're currently looking for some extra help with custodial tasks on weekend afternoons. You'll be helping us keep the Market tidy during operational hours, doing some light sweeping and table cleaning, and assisting with trash removal after closing. And the best part? You'll be doing it all indoors, so you won't have to worry about the chilly winter weather. Interested in joining our team of awesome volunteers? Click the blue VOLUNTEER button below to view the opportunities available and sign up to support!
Trail Maintenance volunteers work year-round, as long as the weather cooperates, to ensure our trails are safe and sustainable.
Trail Maintenance:
If you're looking for a way to get outside and stay active during the winter months, our trail maintenance volunteer opportunities are a great way to do just that! Our trails need maintenance year-round and we're always in need of dedicated volunteers to help us keep them in good condition. Don't let the chilly winter weather stop you from enjoying the great outdoors - with the right gear and a positive attitude, you can make a big difference in maintaining our trails. Plus, it's a great way to work off those holiday treats and de-stress in nature. Click the Park specific links below or the blue VOLUNTEER button to learn more about these opportunities and sign up.
-MoMBA Trail Maintenance
-Trail Maintenance at Possum Creek
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Five Rivers MetroParks provides a wide variety of high-quality programs to help the public get outside and get connected to nature. Programming volunteers work alongside staff to provide support at programs year-round that help participants master new skills, learn about the natural world, and appreciate the value of open spaces.
CJ Volunteer, Alaina Winn, spends time with students while assisting with homework assignments.
Adventure Central Program Assistants:
Love kids? Spend your time hanging out with the most adventurous youth in Dayton! The after-school program at Adventure Central promotes positive youth development, education, and leadership skills using an environmental foundation in a welcoming, safe, fun, active setting. These kids are just bursting with energy and excitement! The Program Assistant spends time helping in the homework room, assisting in the kitchen during mealtimes, or outdoors monitoring play time and getting roped into all sorts of shenanigans from playing in the creek to jumping rope, to gaga ball! Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
Volunteer Daryl Clark welcomes guests into one of the many public adventure presentations available at The Adventure Summit.
Room Ambassadors:
Learn and Give Back as a Room Ambassador at Adventure Summit! Volunteers interested in seeing great presentations, interacting with outdoor recreational enthusiasts, and love special events should consider this opportunity. The Room Ambassadors help create a seamless experience for the presenters and attendees, a welcoming environment for people to enjoy the presentation, and good source of feedback for the event. This is a people-oriented opportunity! Volunteers are stationed at the entrance of the presentation rooms, welcoming attendees, and providing information and event assistance. Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
 Volunteers assist staff and help participants get prepared for their time in kayaks in the pool.
Pool Assistants:
Do you enjoy our paddlesport activities? Join us in the pool area at this year's Adventure Summit! Volunteers in the pool area help kick off the season and excitement to come, and although they may not be going in the water, they should be comfortable around the pool area. Volunteers allow participants to get a more personalized experience and support the staff in creating a safe environment for people to learn. Volunteers will greet and direct participants, assist in communicating safety protocols and help with any programming assistance needs. Learn more and sign up to support this opportunity by clicking the blue volunteer button below.
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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.
Volunteer Georgette Hall works to prepare items for upcoming projects and textile classes.
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.
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Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation Volunteer India Clark helps customers select the perfect gift item at the Wegerzyn Gift & Garden Shop located inside the 2nd Street Market.
Support Our Partners
Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation:
Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation has many opportunities to volunteer depending on your interests:
-Help run the Gift & Garden Shop inside the 2nd Street Market on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those volunteers should love helping people and talking to them, but no previous retail experience is required.
-Plan and execute the MayFair at the Market, which is also held at 2nd Street Market in the first week of May.
-Plan and execute the annual Garden Party. If you like event planning with a little glitz and glam, consider joining the annual Garden Party planning committee. The annual soiree at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark includes dinner and dancing on the Garden Green.
If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation's opportunities email contact@wegerzyngardensfoundation.org.
Note: Foundation volunteer opportunities are separate from Five Rivers MetroParks volunteer opportunities and require volunteer onboarding and registration directly with the appropriate Foundation.
Unable to volunteer this month, but still want to support your MetroParks? Consider a donation to the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation. You can learn more about making a one time or recurring donation here.
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Get Connected Tech Tip: Do You Have a User Group?
As a volunteer, you may belong to one or more user groups. User groups are a way for volunteers to track combined efforts, or allow you to access easily specific or private opportunities. A few examples of current user groups include Wildlife Ambassadors, MetroParks Volunteer Patrol, Carriage Hill Riding Center, Carriage Hill Historic Interpreters, or Conservation Leaders.
DO I BELONG TO A USER GROUP?
Once logged into Get Connected click your profile dropdown, located in the top right-hand corner of your screen. If you are part of a user group, the My User Groups option will be visible in the dropdown list. 
HOW DO I ADD HOURS TO MY USER GROUP?
Beginning in 2024, when you Check In or Add Hours for a volunteer shift, a User Group selection for those hours will need to be made. Your submitted hours will be included in the overall reporting for the larger group. If you belong to more than one user group, you will select the user group that is applicable.
When checking in to your volunteer opportunities or adding hours, simply click on the User Groups drop down to attribute hours to the appropriate User Groups. Example: Barn Aide, select Carriage Hill Riding Center User Group for those hours to be added to the total volunteer hours for the Carriage Hill Riding Center.
Note: If you don't belong to any user groups, this option won't be visible.
HOW AWESOME IS MY USER GROUP?
Want to see all the great things your user group has done? Check out your user group's resume, which shows total volunteer hours, impact value, and more for the past six months. To access the resume, log in to Get Connected and select My User Groups from the profile dropdown. Next, click the View Resume button for your user group.
Note: Once you are viewing the user group resume, you can click Export as PDF to generate the resume as a PDF file.
1. Login to your Get Connected account.
2. From your account menu, select "My User Groups". This will take you to a listing of all of the User Groups you currently belong to.
3. From here you can click to "View Opportunities" available to your User Group or click to "View User Group Resume" to view the collective impact of volunteers in your User Group. 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.
You can find all our great Tech Tips within the Monthly Blog posts. Click HERE to access all of them! Want to learn more great things about Get Connected and the volunteer opportunities, please join us at one of the monthly Volunteer Open Houses. Use this link to sign up for one of the Volunteer Open House sessions.
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Staff Highlight: Dan Kuebler, Hills and Dales Park Manager
Staff Highlights are a great way for volunteers to get to know our staff and for staff to share their work with volunteers.
Dan Kuebler has been passionately managing 63 acres of creeks, rolling hills, dense woods, wildflowers, and wetlands at Hills & Dales MetroPark since 2019. Dan has had a deep love and appreciation for nature from a young age. He has visited almost all of the National Parks and was actively involved in scouting. Even today, he volunteers as an Assistant Cub Master for his daughter's cub scout pack. With a bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation Administration, with an emphasis on outdoor education, Dan has worked for several city organizations in Ohio, in the field of parks and recreation, which ultimately led him to Five Rivers MetroParks. In his role, Dan notes that in addition to project management, one thing he particularly loves about his job "is talking to the visitors and getting to hear about other people's stories." This love for connecting with people and connecting people with nature helps Dan strive as a staff lead of volunteers!
Dan, as a staff lead, has built excellent relationships with the volunteers who support his park. He finds great joy in creating unique and challenging projects that not only leave a lasting impact but also provide opportunities for the volunteers to develop new skills. As Dan notes, these opportunities are what "they (volunteers) would see when they visit the parks and can show their friends and family…Volunteers are a huge help at Hills and Dales". Dan recalls a time when volunteer support greatly impacted his operation and sustained his park. "Two summers ago, Hills and Dales was very low with staff support and because of the volunteers, we were able to keep the park beautiful and still complete a few projects. If it wasn't for the volunteers Hills and Dales would not have been as beautiful as it was that summer".
Dan has since welcomed new staff onto his team at Hills & Dales. Among the new staff is Ira Feltz, Park Technician, whom Dan has invested in and continues to train as a staff leader of volunteers. Dan notes, "Ira Feltz has taken the position amazingly. He takes his time and helps the volunteers complete their tasks".
Join Dan and Ira at Hills & Dales! View volunteer opportunities available at Hills & Dales MetroPark here. Or join us for our next Volunteer Open House, where you can meet one-on-one, in person, with a Volunteer Coordinator and learn how you can support this opportunity! Click here to RSVP to an upcoming Open House.
Thank you, Dan and Ira, for being true supporters of volunteers and volunteerism at MetroParks!
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Volunteer Appreciation
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Sunset at the Market in December! It was a very merry evening filled with holiday cheer, and a joy to reconnect with you and thank you for your dedicated service to Five Rivers MetroParks.
Additionally, we want to express a sincere thank you to all of our volunteers who took the time to complete our annual volunteer survey. We have received 200 responses! We will be reviewing these responses we've collected over the next few weeks and sharing those with you in the next edition of this volunteer newsletter. If you didn't get a chance to respond and would like to, please click here to complete this survey.
As a thank you, those volunteers who submitted a complete survey before December 31st were entered into a raffle to win some great MetroParks prizes. Prizes will be available at the Visitor Services desk at the Five Rivers MetroParks Main Office beginning today, January 3rd through the end of January and available for pick up Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. If you would like to arrange an alternative location for pick up, please contact jenny.hymans@metroparks.org. The winners of this year's annual survey raffle are the following volunteers:
$10 Market Money: Steve Freeze, Colleen Girard, Brad Miller, Jo Seiter, Madison McGuire, Amy Korpieski, and Tracy Hunter
MetroParks Bandana: Jacqueline Colvard, Katherine Deedon, Michael Kreutzer, Madeline Mobarry, and Jill O'Rear
 Happy New Year! Thank you for volunteering.
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Volunteer Services is available if you have questions or need assistance in signing up.
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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