Virginia Master Naturalist Diversity & Inclusion Team
CC0 1.0 Universal from Pixy.com.
About
Having more inclusive programming that engages more diverse audiences is an important goal for the Virginia Master Naturalist program. As part of a grant project funded by the Virginia Environmental Endowment and by matching funds from donations, we are creating a Virginia Master Naturalist Diversity & Inclusion Team.
We have three roles on the Diversity & Inclusion Team: Working Group Members, Feedback Group Members, and Chapter Champions. A description of each role is provided below. We invite volunteers to join the team, and we also have the opportunity to include representatives from our sponsoring agencies, local partners, and other individuals who have a stake in our program. Volunteers who serve as Working Group Members may choose to receive a $200 honorarium, in recognition of the work and time associated with that role. We want to create a team that itself is diverse and inclusive, and we ask that individuals interested in being on the team please complete an online survey so that we can learn about you and assemble a strong team.
To indicate your interest and willingness to serve in any of these roles, please fill out our online survey by January 8.
Having more inclusive programming that engages more diverse audiences is an important goal for the Virginia Master Naturalist program. As part of a grant project funded by the Virginia Environmental Endowment and by matching funds from donations, we are creating a Virginia Master Naturalist Diversity & Inclusion Team.
We have three roles on the Diversity & Inclusion Team: Working Group Members, Feedback Group Members, and Chapter Champions. A description of each role is provided below. We invite volunteers to join the team, and we also have the opportunity to include representatives from our sponsoring agencies, local partners, and other individuals who have a stake in our program. Volunteers who serve as Working Group Members may choose to receive a $200 honorarium, in recognition of the work and time associated with that role. We want to create a team that itself is diverse and inclusive, and we ask that individuals interested in being on the team please complete an online survey so that we can learn about you and assemble a strong team.
To indicate your interest and willingness to serve in any of these roles, please fill out our online survey by January 8.
Team Roles
Diversity & Inclusion Working Group Member
Responsibilities of the Working Group
What You’ll Need to Do or Provide
What We’ll Provide
Who We Are Seeking
We are seeking any and all of the following:
The working group will be 15-20 people, maximum.
Back to top
Diversity & Inclusion Working Group Member
Responsibilities of the Working Group
- Develop specific strategies and initiatives related to diversity and inclusion that we will implement over the short term (1 year) and long term (5 years).
- Develop a list of actionable items that will increase VMN volunteers’ abilities to engage underrepresented populations and people of different races, ethnicities, abilities, and backgrounds in natural resource education programs, including the VMN program itself and the outreach programs for both youth and adults that VMN volunteers provide in their communities.
What You’ll Need to Do or Provide
- Actively participate in meetings via Zoom approximately twice a month for 1-2 hours, January through the summer. We will try to choose meeting times that work for all committee members.
- Possibly attend 1-3 in-person meetings, if COVID conditions allow and if we find that face-to-face time is needed.
- Gather and share information between meetings with individuals on the Diversity & Inclusion Feedback Team.
- Contribute to shared documents that outline our diversity and inclusion commitments and actionable items.
- Internet access for participation in Zoom sessions.
- Interest and passion for engaging diverse audiences in environmental education
- Understanding of the mission and structure of the Virginia Master Naturalist program
What We’ll Provide
- For volunteers, a $200 honorarium in recognition for your contributions
- Collaboration tools, such as Zoom meeting hosting, shared online files and documents
- The opportunity to earn volunteer service hours
- Our assurance to you that we will follow through at the state level and with our chapter champions so that your work leads to positive change (not a report on a shelf.)
Who We Are Seeking
We are seeking any and all of the following:
- Current VMN volunteers who self-identify with underrepresented groups, such as (but not limited to) Black, Indigenous, people of color, and English language learners.
- VMN volunteers in leadership roles who can implement change in their chapters
- Representatives from our sponsoring agencies and partners
The working group will be 15-20 people, maximum.
Back to top
Diversity & Inclusion Feedback Group Member
Responsibilities of the Feedback Team
What You’ll Need to Do or Provide
What We’ll Provide
Who We Are Seeking
We are seeking any and all of the following:
There is no limit on the number of feedback team members, but we will try to build a group that is diverse in many ways (demographics, chapters, regions, etc.).
Back to top
Responsibilities of the Feedback Team
- Provide feedback to the Diversity & Inclusion Committee on an ad-hoc basis via email or phone call. This feedback may include sharing your own personal, lived experience in the VMN or other natural resource programs or providing feedback on ideas and potential action items of the committee.
What You’ll Need to Do or Provide
- No special technology or regular meetings needed! One or more committee members will reach out to you via phone or email as needed, particularly in 2021. Or, if you find you have something to share, we will let you know how to reach out to the committee at any time you wish.
What We’ll Provide
- The opportunity to earn volunteer service hours
- Our assurance to you that we will follow through at the state level and with our chapter champions so that your contributions lead to positive change (not a report on a shelf.)
Who We Are Seeking
We are seeking any and all of the following:
- Current VMN volunteers who self-identify with underrepresented groups, such as (but not limited to) Black, Indigenous, people of color, and English language learners.
- VMN volunteers in leadership roles who can implement change in their chapters
- Representatives from our sponsoring agencies and partners
- Other individuals, such as from local partners, who may have a stake in the VMN program or in natural resource education
There is no limit on the number of feedback team members, but we will try to build a group that is diverse in many ways (demographics, chapters, regions, etc.).
Back to top
Diversity & Inclusion Chapter Champion
Responsibilities
What You’ll Need to Do or Provide
What We’ll Provide
Who We Are Seeking
Ideally, each chapter would have at least two champions, but more is acceptable as well.
Back to top
Action items developed by the VMN Diversity & Inclusion Team
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should notify Michelle Prysby at 434-872-4571* by the application deadline.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.
Responsibilities
- Take actionable items from the Diversity & Inclusion committee and help to promote and implement them in your chapter, starting in fall 2021.
What You’ll Need to Do or Provide
- Know who the various leaders and committees in your chapter are so that you can talk to the right people to make changes.
- Be willing to be a champion for implementing new ideas, even if they represent a change from how your chapter has operated in the past.
What We’ll Provide
- The opportunity to earn volunteer service hours
Who We Are Seeking
- Current VMN volunteers with interest and passion for engaging diverse audiences in natural resource education and who are willing and able to help implement new initiatives in their chapters
Ideally, each chapter would have at least two champions, but more is acceptable as well.
Back to top
Action items developed by the VMN Diversity & Inclusion Team
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should notify Michelle Prysby at 434-872-4571* by the application deadline.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120.