Volunteer
Volunteers provide the work for all our activities and functions. Help is always welcome with:
Volunteers are the core of the San Mateo Arboretum Society. They give their time and energy so that the community can learn about and enjoy the beauty and bounty of plants and trees. Expert skill level is not required – simply a desire to contribute to the Arboretum Society’s objectives. The friendly team, the educational environment and the benefit to the community make volunteering with the Arboretum Society a richly rewarding experience.
Volunteers must be a current SMAS member. For information about member benefits and/or to join as a member, click here.
Become a Volunteer!
- Plant propagation and care, and customer service in the nursery
- Ongoing care of the Rose Garden
- Maintenance of other gardens (Hummingbird-Butterfly garden, Sundial garden, North gate garden)
- Preparation for public educational workshops and seminars
- Community Outreach activities
- Coordinate and host rental of the pumphouse
- Office/administrative activities (website, newsletter, publicity, IT, accounting, etc.)
- Facilities maintenance
Volunteers are the core of the San Mateo Arboretum Society. They give their time and energy so that the community can learn about and enjoy the beauty and bounty of plants and trees. Expert skill level is not required – simply a desire to contribute to the Arboretum Society’s objectives. The friendly team, the educational environment and the benefit to the community make volunteering with the Arboretum Society a richly rewarding experience.
Volunteers must be a current SMAS member. For information about member benefits and/or to join as a member, click here.
Become a Volunteer!
SMAS volunteers serve in a variety of roles. If you are unsure of how you want to participate, please review the possible areas below. Once you are ready to apply, we ask you to complete an application form and to read and sign our Code of Conduct and our Policies and Procedures document. You will then be contacted to come to the Arboretum for orientation.
To apply to become a volunteer, please use our online application form. Simply complete it and click Submit. Our Code of Conduct and Policies and Procedures forms are here. Young volunteers between 13 and 18 should complete a parental permission form. Please review, print and sign these documents. If you do not have a printer, you may complete these forms by hand when you arrive for orientation.
To apply to become a volunteer, please use our online application form. Simply complete it and click Submit. Our Code of Conduct and Policies and Procedures forms are here. Young volunteers between 13 and 18 should complete a parental permission form. Please review, print and sign these documents. If you do not have a printer, you may complete these forms by hand when you arrive for orientation.
For information on volunteering in the following areas/committees:
- EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Organizing SMAS monthly Sunday Garden Seminars and workshops; e.g., contacting potential speakers, obtaining program details and materials, etc. Must be able to work and attend at least 3-4 seminars a year.
Contact: Call 650-579-0536 x 3 or email: [email protected] Subject line: Educational Committee
- BOARD MEMBER
Becoming a member of a nonprofit organization’s board can be a meaningful way to explore how an individual’s experience and expertise can be applied in the nonprofit sector at the governance level, and ultimately, how one’s experience and expertise can help advance a nonprofit organization’s social impact. It also can be a rewarding, high impact way that for-profit executives can do community service while learning new skills that can enhance their own careers. The board of directors is the governing body of a nonprofit organization. The responsibilities of the board include discussing and voting on the highest priority issues, and setting organizational policies. Requirement is to attend one monthly meeting every third Wednesday of the month.
For more information please call 650-579-0536 x 0 or email: p[email protected] Subject line: Board Member - FUNDRAISING
The Fundraising Committee is responsible for overseeing the organization’s overall fundraising and, in particular, the fundraising done by the board. To accomplish this, its responsibilities are: To work with Fund Raising Chair & staff to establish a fundraising plan that incorporates a series of appropriate vehicles, such as special events, direct mail, product sales, etc. To be responsible for involvement of all board members in fundraising, such as having board members make telephone calls to ask for support, and Interested persons agree to participate in fund raising committee assisting in mailings, phone calls, material distribution, etc.
Call 650-579-0536 x 0 or email: [email protected] Subject line: Fundraising - MAINTENANCE
Weekly communication with Facilities Director regarding property needs. Duties will vary throughout the year: e.g. replacing wooden boards on plant tables; maintenance of greenhouse cooling equipment; manually opening/closing greenhouse air vents; cleaning greenhouse sink drain system; replacing property light bulbs; weekly maintenance of property fountain (cleaning filter, debris, changing time clock, checking water levels), garden hose/nozzle replacements, etc.
Call 650-579-0536 x 0 or email: [email protected] Subject line: Maintenance Person
- NURSERY/GREENHOUSE VOLUNTEERS
Join a wonderful team of dedicated volunteers. No previous experience is needed as we are happy to train on the job. Volunteering at SMAS is the opportunity to continually enhance your knowledge about horticultural and natural history of our area. It is a wonderful way to learn about plants that do well in San Mateo County, and also meet some great people. There are no limitations to the type of gardening we do. All volunteers must be current members of SMAS. Work activities include but not limited to: Potting and repotting plants, grooming plants & tables, and watering plants; Plant propagation; working at our special plant sales or annual events.
Call 650-579-0536 x 0 or email: [email protected] Subject line: Greenhouse Volunteer
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