ORIENTING NEW INTERNS

1
ORIENTING NEW INTERNS

• Jim Volgas
• Tennessee Master Gardener
• Shelby Coounty

2
WHY?

• To welcome interns
• To introduce people who will be working with
  students
• To clarify
• Expectations
• Policies
• Requirements
• To answer questions
• To encourage

3
PAST COMPLAINTS

• I thought all instructors would be members of UT
  faculty or experienced agents
• The university should not be encouraging people
  to grow lawns
• I thought I would get university credit for the
  course
• I didn't know I was required to do hours
• I object to giving my social security

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PAST COMPLAINTS cont.

• Why am I required to attend classes on subjects I
  dont care about?
• Too much time was spent on ..
• Not enough time was spent on
• Most instructors did not follow the material
• UT should not be advocating the use of chemicals
• UT should not be advocating organic gardening

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REGISTRATION of INTERNS

• HELD ABOUT ONE MONTH PRIOR TO ORIENTATION
• WRITTEN COPY OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE GIVEN
  OUT
• STUDY QUESTIONS REGARDING PP ARE GIVEN OUT WITH
  REQUIREMENT THAT THEY BE TURNED IN AT ORIENTATION

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THE ORIENTATION SESSION

• IN SHELBY COUNTY IS HELD ON A SATURDAY MORNING SO
  THAT DAY AND NIGHT STUDENTS CAN ATTEND.
• ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED RECORDED
• STUDY QUESTIONS ARE GRADED AND RECORDED
• SESSION LASTS ABOUT ONE HOUR

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ORIENTATION AGENDA .. 1

• WELCOME
• WHAT IS THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM?
• History
• Tennessee is in Transition
• The Master Gardener Association
• INTRODUCTIONS OF MGS who will be working with
  the class

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ORIENTATION AGENDA .. 2

• WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THE CLASS?
• THE COURSE
• Subjects
• Student Material
• Supplementary Material
• Field Trips.
• Breaks
• Study Questions

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ORIENTATION AGENDA .. 3

• YOUR INSTRUCTORS
• Professors
• UT Specialists
• UT Agents
• Master Gardeners
• Local experts
• Differences
• Some will advocate proper use of chemicals
• Some will advocate organic gardening methods
• Some will use high tech training aids
• Some will use low tech training aids
• Student material/study questions
• Some will follow closely
• Some will scarcely even refer to them

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ORIENTATION AGENDA .. 4

• WHAT DOES UT EXPECT OF ME IN RETURN?
• Volunteer hours
• Why your Social Security Number?
• Attendance
• Self study questions
• Final Test
• Certification and Graduation
• Policies And Procedures
• Last Day to Cancel and receive a Refund

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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
REQUIREMENT ? EXCEPTIONS
Turn in Policies Procedures Signature Sheet   None
     
Turn in Policies Procedures Study Questions   None
     
Attend all class sessions and Field Trips   Two absences if approved by MG Coordinator
     
Turn in all Study Questions by the last Class Session   Miss two if approved by MG Coordinator
     
Complete final exam with a grade of at least 70   None
     
Complete a Minimum of 30 Hours Community Service   None
     
Complete a Minimum of 10 Hours Extension Office Service   None
     
Complete 8 CEU Hours   None
     
Turn in record of all Hours by July 31, 2005   None