Get Involved

compostVolunteers dig-in at the award winning Riverview East Academy makeover

Pathway to Becoming Involved:

  1. Call or email to set up an interview and complete paperwork
  2. Determine a match for your interests and our available tasks
  3. Receive assignment, meet supervisor and attend training

Jan Simms,
Volunteer Coordinator
513-221-0981 x 14

jsimms@civicgardencenter.org

how can you help?

Start by telling us about your skills and interests:

Name:

Email address:

Phone:

How often would you like to volunteer?

Main area of interest:

What other skills would you like to share with us?:

already a volunteer?

Volunteer Service Record Form

Print out and track your volunteer hours. Please drop off, fax, or mail your form to Jan Simms, Volunteer Cooridinator, 513-221-0961 (fax), 2715 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206

Community Services

Let us help plan your next service learning or community involvement project.  Work Projects for Scouts, Youth, Schools or Corporations welcomed.

Volunteer

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Pat McElhaney michele

Though he may be a new volunteer, Pat McElhaney is no stranger to the Civic Garden Center.  He has been a frequent visitor to the CGC grounds and Hauck gardens for over four years now.

Due to Pat’s diligent efforts, the birds living within the area surrounding CGC are well fed and accounted for.  An avid birdwatcher and member of the American Birding Association and the Ohio Ornithological Society, Pat spends the first part of each shift at the CGC touring the grounds, taking notes on migratory patterns, and counting the numbers of each species.  He then reports his findings to the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology’s program, “Project Feeder Watch”, http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/ .  Pat suggests that in tracking migratory urban birds it is important to report on “what you see as well as what you don’t see”.  Among Pat’s sittings in the vicinity of the Civic Garden Center are Downy Woodpeckers, and “evidence” of Sapsuckers and an Owl.

Pat suggests that our good fortune in becoming home to these species is due to our regional location between two hills which allows Reading Road to serve as a conduit for local bird patterns.   We feel fortunate to count Pat among the CGC’s family of experts!

*Check out upcoming issues of the CGC Newsletter for Pat’s contribution to birding interests in our area.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities with the Civic Garden Center

CGC/GLS Garage Clean-up
February TBD- date pending construction and ground breaking for the Green Learning Station. 
Reading Road location.

The Home and Garden Show!
March 1st- 6th and 10th- 14th , 2010
Volunteers needed at the Civic Garden Center and at the Duke Energy Convention Center to help set up as well as breakdown for event, distribute materials, and to staff our booth during the show.  
Duke Energy Center/Reading Road location.

Neighborhood Garden Kick-off 
First Part of April TBD – call for dates and shifts
Volunteers needed for various gardening duties on various garden sites in the Greater Cincinnati area. 
Various garden locations.

PHHS (Plant, Herb, and Hosta Sale)
April 26th- May 1st, 2010
Jobs vary; something for everyone!
Reading Road location.

Earth Day Events
April 17th, 2010
Volunteers needed to staff the Civic Garden Center booth, children’s activities and distribute seed bombs.
Off-site location TBD

 

Volunteering for the Civic Garden Center

volunteer
There are many ways to support organizations that we feel a kinship with and one very real way is to volunteer. 

Over 500 women, men and youth volunteer each year for the Civic Garden Center.  Their time donated equals seven full time staff. 

We invite you to share your time and talents with us, too.

See details below for summer/fall volunteer opportunities.

Youth Education Program

Working with our youngest gardeners

  • Compost Kids field trips for elementary classes K-6
  • Summer Sprouts
  • Grow to Learn to Grow school program
  • Craft classes for kids
Working in the Gardens
  • Beautification, building and seasonal cleanup projects
  • Herb Garden Team on Tuesday morning
  • Dirt Crew on Wednesday morning
  • Neighborhood Gardens - mulching, garden clean up, building arbors and raised beds; schedule arranged with staff
Events
  • Quilt Committee
  • Glorious Gardens Tour
  • Plant, Herb and Hosta Sale
  • Home & Garden Show
  • Christmas Tree Sale
  • Neighborhood Gardens Tour
  • Bulb Day & Fall Bulb Sale
  • Taste of Neighborhood Gardens
  • Greens Get Together
  • Other special events
Horticulture Helpline

Research and answer homeowner gardening questions

 

Hoffman Library

Managing the horticulture library collection

 

Reception Desk

Greeting visitors and directing phone calls

 

Administrative Assistance

Computer work, bulk mailing, and other in-house tasks

 

Facilities Maintenance

Minor repairs, painting, tool maintenance and other handy tasks