Volunteering

Volunteering with The Hort brings soul to the city. We have opportunities here for constructive, co-operative effort and sharing gardening experiences. The Society is, by definition, a group of companions, and together we make everything happen. The hort works with teams of kindred spirits tackling projects, helping events run smoothly and serving on committees. We hope always to move forward with our combined energy and initiative, always to do better. Come and see what you would like to do, and who you would like to work with. Don’t forget our community garden projects—a great place to volunteer if you don’t have a garden of your own. There are many opportunities to join in the fun and your input and ideas are a valued part of our society. For more information about our projects and how you can participate, please contact info@parkdaletorontohort.com.

There’s something for everybody; volunteer opportunities abound at the Hort.

Specific Responsibilities of Individual Committees

Here are some of the committees you might be able to help out with.

Executive

• Undertakes board orientation and development for new members

• Creates and maintains a handbook for board members

• Provides background on issues of interest to the board for internal board operations (e.g. charitable status, succession planning)

• Sponsors annual “Food for Thought” meeting

• Manages relations with the OHA

• May introduce new initiatives

• May respond to urgent issues, reporting its action to the board at the earliest opportunity

Design and Communication

• Oversees design of all print, e-mail and web material

• Oversees the newsletter and website

Community Gardens

• Receives requests for funds from community gardens

• maintains liaison with each garden

• Administers the program by maintaining financial, pictorial and written records

• Reviews annually the overall status of area-wide involvement

• Fosters awareness in the community of the program and reaches out to look for new participants

Excursions

• Investigates possibilities for members’ excursions (e.g. garden tours and related activities outside or within Toronto)

• Plans one or more excursions annually with the help of members and informants who have local knowledge

• Generally, excursions are intended to break even

Finance

• Chaired by the Treasurer who discusses and gives advice to the board on strategic financial matters

• Nominates an assistant to perform the duties of the Treasurer in his or her absence, under his or her direction

Garden Tour

• Plans and conducts an annual tour of private gardens in a Toronto neighbourhood

Library

• Manages the collection of the society’s books and media

• Presents the collection at monthly meetings

• Regulates and supervises the loan of books to members

Archives

• Receives, maintains, and organizes materials for the society’s archives

• Maintains liaison with the Ontario Archives

Membership

• Manages initial registration and renewals of society memberships

• Maintains current printable electronic membership lists

• Receives membership fees and delivers them to the Treasurer

Plant Fair

• Plans and conducts all aspects of an annual plant fair

• Maintains a balance between service to members and the community

• Publicity and Public Relations

• Communicates with other Hort committees that may want to be represented at the Plant Fair

Social Events

• Plans and conducts social events (e.g. St. Chris barbecue, May meeting)

Volunteers

• Works with all committees to help fill their needs for volunteers

• Tries to engage more members in volunteer activities