How to Start a New Project
Volunteer service project opportunities can be presented by various different identities ranging from the state program sponsors, the chapter, local chapter partners, an individual volunteer, other agencies such as city, county, state and federal agencies and even nature centers and schools. Several chapters have even successfully instituted a “class project” where the current training class of the chapter finds/develops and mutually agrees to volunteer for the project as a group and receive their required volunteer service hours at the same time.

Volunteer projects may be a series of short experiences such as serving on a speaker’s bureau – or they may involve the long-term efforts of an entire volunteer team from just one or even several chapters. Either way, for a master volunteer, the opportunity to do meaningful and interesting work is the reward. Texas Master Naturalist volunteers will vary in their abilities and interests. Some will want volunteer opportunities to be presented to them by the local chapter and state program sponsors and partners, while others will see a need and want to design their own project. There are few constraints, except that volunteer service must meet the program mission by being dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities.

All volunteer service projects must be pre-approved, ideally, through a local committee process, as this can often be an arduous job that should not be left to just one person. The pre-approval of volunteer service projects and opportunities is important to:

  • Ensure that volunteers are covered by the program insurance available
  • Provide a list of service projects for volunteers of the chapter
  • Ensure the goals of the organization and the partners are met
  • Avoid assumptions

Chapter leaders will be confronted with numerous service projects and opportunities to approve. Below are some points to consider as a chapter Volunteer Service Committee pre-approving individual service projects.

  1. Is the proposed service project representative of the goals, practices and teachings of the Texas Master Naturalist Program?
  2. How does the project address a pressing naturalist, natural resource management, chapter and/or partner need for meaningful service or resources?
  3. What is the scope of the project in terms of when it would need to be conducted, where, estimated time needed to complete or maintain per month, how many volunteers would be needed, etc.?
  4. Is the project within the Chapter’s service area and ecological training?
  5. How does the project allow the chapter to focus and/or create visibility, identity and/or recruitment for the chapter?
  6. How can the project’s impact on the community and our natural resources be measured?
  7. El Camino Real Volunteer Project Approval Form in Word Format to edit.
  8. El Camino Real Volunteer Project Approval Form in PDF Format for printing and filling in.