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Volunteer Appreciation: Annual Survey Raffle Winners!

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.

Important Volunteer Updates for 2024: User Groups, Impact Assessments, New Nametags, and Vehicle & Equipment Qualification Expirations

Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer Newsletter: December 2023

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!

Sustainability Tip: Recycle your Holiday Lights at MetroParks Locations

"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.

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. 

Volunteer Spotlight: 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. 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).

Volunteer Opportunities: Winter volunteer opportunities available! We need YOUR Support at some festive Holiday events! Plus Trail Workdays, Administrative Projects, and more!

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!

Volunteer Appreciation: Sunset at the Market, VIP incentive items including a NEW Long-Sleeved Volunteer Shirt!

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 

Staff Lead Highlight: 2nd Street Market Staff - Lynda, Sally, and Sandra

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. 

Get Connected Tech Tip: View Your Volunteer Impact in Your Volunteer Resume

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.

Five Rivers MetroParks Volunteer Newsletter - November 2023

Special thanks to all the volunteers who have joined us in the parks this fall season! We appreciate you! In this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter:   - Feature:  Five Rivers MetroParks has A LOT to be Thankful for!  - Sustainability Tip & November Challenge: Be a little lazy with your landscaping this fall & Stay Active Outdoors  - Volunteer Spotlight: Cox Arboretum Woodworkers & The NEW Nature Play  - Volunteer Positions & Opportunities:  Artisan Skills & Heritage Cookery November 4th, plus Holiday Events, Barn Aide Training, Administrative Projects, and more!  - Get Connected Tech Tip:  Volunteer Hours  - Staff Highlight:  Angela Collie, Program Coordinator at Adventure Central  - Volunteer Appreciation: Volunteers with 25 hours or more invited to join us for a special holiday event- Sunset at the Market!

Get Connected Tech Tip: Volunteer Hours

Volunteer hours are still an important part of showing impact which helps us apply for a variety of grants, and helps you earn rewards from our Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP).  Hours are tabulated easily with Get Connected when you check in to your opportunity shifts. You can also add hours to an opportunity later on, after service. We'll show you how in this month's Get Connected Tech Tip!