- Introduce self and role at ESY
- New volunteers introduce themselves and say a little about why they want to volunteer at ESY
- Go over the agenda for the training session
Volunteer Handbook, Training Internal Agenda, and Survey
Summary:
This resource provides a sample agenda from an Edible Schoolyard Berkeley volunteer training. Attached below is the handbook that was given to each of our volunteers at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, as well as the end-of-year survey we give to volunteers.
Introductions / Ice Breaker
History /Organizational Overview
- History of the founding
- 1994: tore up concrete, started with a few raised beds
- 1997: added a cooking program in the renovated cafeteria
- 2005: started to help establish partner programs across the country
- 2009: held the first Academy, trained 90 professionals
- 2011: launched esy.org, tool for networking and engagement
- How the program works (students come with their classes; frequency of classes)
- 1,010 students in grades 6,7,8
- Classroom teachers bring students for 4-8 weeks in a row, 1x/week, or for week long immersions
- Modified Block schedule, so classes last different amounts of time depending on grade or day of the week
- Normally, science classes come to the garden, humanities classes to the kitchen
- Values and skills and classroom content covered in ESY classes
- 50% of lessons linked to classroom content
- 50% of lessons linked to ESY standards, such as: seasonality, bio-diversity, teamwork, communication, problem solving, decision making, rituals and routines, the importance of showing you care, making things beautiful for each other.
Changes for this year
- Garden Program has changed most dramatically.
- Garden volunteers used to be linked to classes, but now garden volunteers are linked to specific tasks in the garden, at whatever time is suitable for them
- Kitchen volunteers are still linked to classes, which will make their schedules a bit less regular than they have been in the past, due to the fact that class times will vary based on grade and day of the week
- Hope to better utilize volunteers to help us in areas where we need help the most, along with providing a fulfilling experience for our volunteers.
Expectations / Handbook / Scheduling
- Quick overview of handbook
- Linger on Volunteer expectations
- Go over a few examples of class schedules
- Please note that we will ask how long you were during your sign in sign out process, very important that you complete this!
ESY Culture Principles
- Overview of document including history and reason for implementing
- Culture Principles- Find your card match, share with each other, explain why this culture principle is important in the classroom
- Have one (or both time allowing) share out to group
- Close by wrapping up the discussion, why these principles matter amongst volunteers and classrooms culture
Volunteer / ESY Staff Communication
- Through this period of change in our volunteer program we are striving for more communication and feedback, going both directions, to better implement and improve our volunteer program.
- Feedback form to complete after first class and after 1 month. Or whenever you wish to fill it out!
- Please feel free to email at any time with any questions, concerns, issues, or feedback.
- We are happy to debrief after class in person but may not have time to do so completely, or may not be in the right state to do it well.
- You can expect positive and constructive feedback on your work here. This is normal and should be received as an opportunity to improve not as a valuation of you. Flex that growth mindset!
- We are all learning and improving together to do our best for our students
- Questions and closing
