Hotline: 816.833.TREE (8733)

Organization

The Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City (MGGKC) is a chapter of the University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener Program (UMXMG). The chapter shall be governed by the UMXMG Policies and Procedures and shall represent the interests of the University of Missouri Extension. The UMXMG Policies and Procedures supersede MGGKC Policies and Procedures.  The designated Extension Chapter Coordinator, located in the Extension Urban West Region that is comprised of Jackson, Clay, and Platte Counties, will guide the chapter.

The MGGKC chapter is led by an Advisory Board composed of Officers and Standing Committee Chairs. The Advisory Board is responsible for the management of the chapter and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the Officers and Committees.

Standing Committees currently support numerous Community projects throughout the Kansas City area and provide a gardening Hotline and a Speakers Bureau.  Fundraising projects include a Garage/Plant Sale and Garden Tour.

Membership consists of the following categories:

  1. Extension Master Gardener Trainee is an individual accepted in the EMG Core Course and is currently attending classroom training sessions.
  2. Extension Master Gardener Intern is an individual who has completed the EMG Core Course and is in the process of completing the first year volunteer requirements.
  3. Certified Extension Master Gardener is an individual who has completed both the core course and the first year volunteer requirements.
  4. Active Extension Master Gardener is one who has completed their annual (including the first year) volunteer service hour requirements or more on approved projects plus their required Continuing Education hours in the MGGKC defined yearly timeframe.
  5. An Extension Master Gardener who has been an Active EMG for a total of ten years will be granted Emeritus Extension Master Gardener status by the Board and the Extension Chapter Coordinator. This includes the certification year.
  6. Advanced Extension Master Gardener is an EMG who has obtained Advanced Training Certification.
  7. Inactive Extension Master Gardener is one who has not completed their annual volunteer hour requirement on approved projects and/or not completed their required Continuing Education hours as defined in the MGGKC Policies and Procedures and is not classified as an Emeritus EMG. To become an Active Extension Master Gardener again, the individual must contact the Extension Chapter Coordinator and then complete the annual volunteer service hour requirement and Continuing Education hour requirement in the current year. An inactive member with no reported volunteer activity after 2 years will be “closed”. This does not include Emeritus members.
  8. Uncertified Extension Master Gardener is one who may no longer use the EMG title or participate in EMG programs and activities. A Certified EMG may be uncertified according to the UMXMG Policies and Procedures if the conditions under the volunteer agreement are not fulfilled or thru Disciplinary action.

Membership requirements are as follows:

  1. All Extension Master Gardeners including Emeritus must sign the MU Annual Volunteer Agreement (aka ‘Code of Conduct’) annually to be eligible to volunteer on Extension Master Gardener projects and activities and to be covered by MU liability insurance.
  2. In addition to the basic training as described in the State Policies and Procedures, Extension Master Gardener Interns will be required to complete during their training or in the year following their training a minimum number of hours of volunteer service on chapter projects as defined in the MGGKC Policies and Procedures in order to become certified as Extension Master Gardeners.
  3. Each Active Extension Master Gardener, in order to maintain active status, shall participate each year in a minimum number of hours of volunteer service on chapter projects and Continuing Education as defined in the MGGKC Policies and Procedures. EMGs are encouraged to participate in service opportunities beyond the required hours in direct support of the chapter. All service hours shall be reported annually.
  4. There shall be no annual volunteer service requirement or Continuing Education requirement for Emeritus Extension Master Gardeners. However, Emeritus EMGs are encouraged to continue to participate in Extension Master Gardener programs and to report their service hours annually. Emeritus EMGs shall receive all benefits of membership in the chapter.
  5. Any revision to the annual volunteer service requirements must meet or exceed the annual volunteer service requirements in the State Policies and Procedures.
  6. Extension Master Gardeners working with youth under the age of 18 where youths are the main focus of the program must undergo a background check as required by Missouri Division of Social Services and the University of Missouri Extension.

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University of Missouri Extension Master Gardener Program