Responsibilities & Rights

Responsibilities of a Wisconsin MGV

1. To represent the University of Wisconsin-Extension in a professional manner.
2. To accept only realistic assignments.
3. To be acquainted with county Extension office procedures, Extension publications and personnel.
4. To respect confidences and clientele information.
5. To remain calm and courteous at all times.
6. To follow guidelines outlined by the Extension agent or the local Master Gardener organization.
7. To know your limitations; to be able to say “I don’t know”; to admit you can’t provide everything to everyone. Appropriately refer complex calls to Extension educators.
8. To acquire and retain the knowledge, and to become familiar with the resources necessary to accomplish the assigned tasks.
9. To follow through on commitments.
10. To provide unbiased, research-based information from the University of Wisconsin, other Land Grant institutions, or the United States Department of Agriculture.
11. To follow published UW-Extension recommendations.
12. To refer all commercial horticultural calls to the respective UW-Extension agent.
13. To always use tact and to give constructive advice; never be disparaging of opinions or procedures.

Rights of a Wisconsin MGV

1. To be treated as a volunteer for the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
2. To have a suitable and worthwhile assignment.
3. To know as much as possible about the organization of Cooperative Extension, its policies, people and programs, and to be kept informed.
4. To participate in activities.
5. To receive quality and continual in-service training to handle assignments fully.
6. To receive positive and constructive guidance and direction.
7. To receive recognition and a variety of experiences.
8. To be heard; to have a part in the planning process.
9. To receive expressions of appreciation from professionals.
10. To be free to request other assignments if there is a need in that area.
11. To have access to Extension office horticultural reference materials.