Carol Daniels, Membership chair
What are the requirements to become a certified Texas Master Naturalist?
Easy. Just complete 40 hours of classroom training, 40 hours of volunteer work, and 8 hours of additional advanced training in the subjects that most interests you.
Okay, I have completed my training classes. What do I do now?
First, one needs to have attended 40 hours of classes. If that was not accomplished, those classes can be made up during the next training session. Just be sure that you sign an attendance sheet so there is a record of your makeup. If the total hours attended exceeds 40, the excess will be credited to your advanced training hours and you do not need to report them. There is a record of those extra hours on the sign in sheets.
I have been receiving e-mails for requests to send in my hours for the year end reporting but I have not completed 40 hours of volunteer or my 8 hours of advanced training. What do I do?
The chapter needs to send in a report every January 15th to the state office showing the activity for previous year. The information from those reports is used to justify the funding received from the state for the Texas Master Naturalist program. Our volunteering is converted to a dollar amount benefiting the state through all of our projects. As a result, the more activity we report the more we can justify our existence. Even if you have not recorded 40 hours, send in what you have.
After sending in my hours at the end of the year, do I have to start over counting my hours?
No, just keep adding to your total until you reach the 40 hours/8 hours mark.
Finally, I have all of my initial hours. Now what?
Send in your documentation. A signed certificate and dragonfly pin will be awarded and you will be recognized at the next business meeting. Everyone will give you a big hand for your accomplishment.
Are any of my activities tax deductible?
It depends. Please check the IRS web site for information. The following brochure may answer some of your questions: IRS Tax Deduction for Volunteer Services.
