Calling All Volunteers!

Susan Libonati-Barnes (left) and Chris Gray (second from left) demonstrating how to take Cleveland sage cuttings at the AFTA Seeds of Regrowth event.
Susan Libonati-Barnes (left) and Chris Gray (second from left) demonstrating how to take Cleveland sage cuttings at the AFTA Seeds of Regrowth event on November 2, 2019. Photo by Bud Widdowson.

Come help Shasta Chapter CNPS get revitalized after too long in pandemic mode! While behind-the-scenes activities have actually increased in some instances, our public presence has flagged, but we have high hopes that we can gear back up on that front this fall. To do that, we need your help!

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Shasta Chapter, and we have always been blessed with the best of them. We are a fun-loving, curious, and talented group of people with interests that range across the botanical board. All volunteer efforts are appreciated, big or small; we respect your needs and time and do our best to work around your schedule.

Here are some of the areas with which we could really use a helping hand:

Internet technology

Help with all things digital is probably our #1 need currently. This is the arena in which Shasta Chapter is growing by leaps and bounds. While very exciting, we need more people to contribute and help manage various platforms. Experience is a plus but not crucial! We are very happy to teach!

  • Webmaster. We are currently upgrading our official Chapter website. It is going to be awesome! We need a dedicated webmaster. (This is a WordPress site.)
  • Blog contributor. Our “newsletter” or blog site (this one) needs constant maintenance. We need people to help post articles as they come in. (Another WordPress site.)
  • Social media administrators. Help keep our social media presence fresh and up to date by making and sharing relevant posts. We currently have Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

Interim Secretary

This elected position has been vacant for some time, with Board members filling in as needed. Duties include taking minutes at meetings, writing thank-you notes to speakers, general correspondence, and dissemination of information to others. A volunteer for this position may simply fill in until elections, without committing to run for the office.

Programs Chair

This Board-appointed position is responsible for lining up speakers, in-person or virtual, for monthly membership meetings. They also help facilitate logistics for out-of-area speakers.

Instructor Scot Loring leading the bryophyte workshop on February 21, 2020. Photo by Linda Finkel.
Instructor Scot Loring leading the bryophyte workshop on February 21, 2020. Photo by Linda Finkel.

Conservation

Our Conservation Committee Chair, David Ledger, is always on the lookout for enthusiastic conservationists to help out, whether its manual labor out in the field or writing comment/support letters.

Acorn planting. L. Ross.
David Ledger planting blue oak acorns on the Westside Trail, Redding, on pre-pandemic New Year’s Day, 2020. Watching, from left to right: Bruce B., Ray Pfister, and Yo Sadohara. Photo by Lisa Ross.

Field trips

Share your favorite hike destination with Field Trip Committee Chair Chris Harvey! He will make it happen and provide support for you to lead it. You do not have to be able to identify the plants! Or, write up a Chapter hike or one of your own, to be posted on our blog.

Bob Madison, Chris Harvey, and Shirley Martin. D. Mandel.
Left to right: Bob Madison, Chris Harvey, and Shirley Martin, working together to get a good photo of purple fritillary, Fritillaria atropurpurea, on the East Weaver Creek Trail hike of May 21, 2022. Photo by Doug Mandel.

Plant propagation

Water restrictions have caused our nursery to be dismantled for the time being, but we have every expectation of resurrecting both the nursery and plant sales as soon as possible. That will mean renewed propagation sessions, to which all are invited! Sign up as a volunteer to get first notice!

Propagation session on November 24.
Pre-pandemic propagation session on November 24, 2019. Photo by Doug Mandel.

Governance

Would you like to have more say in the direction that your Chapter takes? Consider becoming a Member-at-Large. This appointed position allows you a vote in all Board decisions. Or participate at the State level by attending quarterly Chapter Council Meetings, and report back to the Board.

Other areas in which you could help include: sitting at booths and talking to the public about our Chapter; working with sales; becoming a member of the scholarship committee; helping with membership; and so much more! Our volunteers are vital to our continued success. How can you help? Whether you have a specific interest or just want to be a generalist volunteer, drop us a line at shastacnps@gmail.com and let us know. Thank you; we are counting on you! ~Shasta Chapter CNPS