The document outlines the timeline of events in restructuring a dysfunctional Master Gardener program in Salt Lake County from March 2011 to November 2012. Key events included the agent shadowing another program, developing new policies and procedures, announcing changes to members, hosting orientations and classes for new Master Gardeners, and graduating the first class under the new program in November 2012.

1. TIMELINE DETAILING THE RESTRUCTURING OF A
DYSFUNCTIONAL MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM
IN SALT LAKE COUNTY
Wagner, K. M., Extension Assistant Professor of Horticulture in Salt Lake County,
Utah State University Extension, katie.wagner@usu.edu
March 22, 2011 Stage 2 Stage 4
Date of Hire
Announcing the new direction Launching a new Master Gardener Program
October 5, 2011
April 4, 2011 of the program to SLMGA members In-depth Master Gardener March 15th, 2012
Agent to agent class series starts Re-sent graduated USU
shadowing, discussed December 1, 2011
Extension Master
dysfunctional state of the Attended SLMGA awards
Gardeners original
Salt Lake Master Gardener banquet by invitation
October 4, 2011 November 15 & 29, 2011 evaluations first collected
program in Salt Lake July 29, 2011
USU Extension Orientations held for new the previous year
County. State Master Gardener
horticulture faculty turned 2012 Master Gardener
May 24, 2011 Coordinator researched
down the opportunity to class
State-wide USU Extension trademark status of
‘Master Gardener’ sit on the SLMGA board
Master Gardener Policies
and Procedures
developed January 31, 2012
August 2, 2011 First day of class for 2012
Disgruntled SLMGA Master Gardener students
May 4, 2011 November 16, 2011
members call ‘emergency
Wrote USU Extension Hosted USU Extension November 1st, 2012
July 22, 2011 meeting’
Policies and Procedures in Master Gardener Graduation ceremony for
Salt Lake County Constituent complaint
filed with the Salt Lake Appreciation Dinner 2012 USU Extension
October 11, 2011 December 5, 2011 Master Gardener Class!
County Mayor’s office
Final letter to SLMGA Hosted first of several
members explaining road USU Extension Advisory
forward Council Meetings
September 1, 2011
Olive branch extended to
April 21, 2011 allow graduated Master TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION • Always keep your direct supervisor in the
June 1, 2011 July 27 - 31, 2011 loop.
SLMGA Plant Exchange, Gardeners the opportunity • Get entire Extension administration on board
Presented changes to Met with project leaders with your new direction and goals. • Keep emotion out of your email responses.
passed-out evaluations, to continue to volunteer at • Offer positive educational opportunities
SLMGA members; to discuss individual • Always remember your Master Gardener
SLMGA elected new old projects Program should benefit your programming
immediately.
Passed-out new USU projects
board efforts. • Do not spend too much valuable time on the
Extension Master • Have new Policies and Procedures ready
transition.
Gardener Policies and when changes (or clarifications) are • Know it will be a draining experience and
Procedures and announced and consider inviting a colleague emotionally taxing on you.
Confirmation of Stage 3 to help moderate the discussion and
document meeting minutes.
• Try to keep finances out of the discussion.
Commitment Documents • Update community partners on changes so
to SLMGA members Moving the USU Extension • Reassure volunteers nobody did anything
wrong; the program is just turning a fresh
they are aware of any negative fall-out.
Stage 1 Master Gardener Program forward corner. Accept that you will lose volunteers
that do not share interest in your new
Discovering and better direction.
• Expect an emotional response and always
understanding the problem “Different volunteers have different expectations out of a volunteer service program.
welcome feedback.
Understand you cannot satisfy everyone and
identify those that share in your vision of the program’s future”
ABSTRACT
Newly hired faculty in Salt Lake County needed to restructure and fit the model of a Master Gardener Program detailed by volunteers were unhappy with high labor, low public outreach Master Gardener Program. It was found to be critical for USU faculty when addressing disgruntled Master Gardeners. A
a poorly functioning Master Gardener Program to meet USU Utah’s State Master Gardener Coordinator. A survey projects. Projects were modified to address these concerns Extension administration to be aware and supportive of the Master Gardener Advisory Council was adopted to foster
Extension expectations. Prior to restructuring, most Master conducted in spring 2011 found 53% of Master Gardeners were and meet USU expectations. 42 volunteers reported hours in restructuring efforts by county faculty throughout the constructive input from volunteers.
Gardener volunteer projects did not benefit horticulture faculty very satisfied with the program. Several volunteers suggested 2011. Not including new students, 54 Master Gardeners reshaping of the program since restructuring efforts were met The following timeline details the restructuring of the USU
and demonstrated little educational outreach to the public. The that more educational and diagnostic learning opportunities committed to volunteer hours in 2012. A follow-up survey in with resistance by some Master Gardeners. A state-wide Extension Master Gardener Program in Salt Lake County from
program was restructured to meet the expectations of USU might increase their excitement to volunteer and many spring 2012 found 73% of volunteers are very satisfied with the adopted Policies and Procedures document aided county spring 2011-2012.