Managing Master Gardener Volunteer Programs without County Extension Educators

In 2009, Ohio State University Extension received state budget cuts resulting in the loss of 23 Extension educators around the state.  Of those 23, at least 7 of them were Agriculture and Natural Resources Educators with active Master Gardener volunteer (MGV) programs. As a result of the reduction in force, these county MGV programs were left without leadership and guidance at the county level.  This presentation will discuss how the leadership and management of the county programs have transitioned and have remained successful.  The topics discussed includes developing a financial and liability factsheet in order for MGVs to understand how to manage finances and still remain protected in their volunteer role for the university, developing a program management guide for County Extension Directors and MGVs to understand their roles in the new leadership situations, as well as general day-to-day management issues such as reporting state hours, policy implementation, and managing projects in the county.