Volunteer eNews December 2015

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December 2015

Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

> IN THIS ISSUE: Holiday Edition, new host position, upcoming projects

holiday

Peace, Love, and Joy

There are times when tragedies occur, when people are faced with horrors that are all-encompassing, the weight of these events leave us asking unanswerable questions. It is these times the most, that the very spirit and nature of our volunteers speaks the loudest. Every day, in every one of our parks, someone is smiling, helping, offering. If I were asked to paint a picture of what I would wish for the world, it would be simple, I would paint the picture of our volunteers who give their time and talents selflessly not because they have to but because they want to. I encourage you to continue to bring the peace, love, and joy in all aspects of your life. The world needs more people like you in it. We are grateful to have you in our lives.

Hosting Opportunities Available

Cloudland Canyon

Cloudland Canyon

The Interpretive Host manages the Interpretive Center, a popular destination within the Day Use Area which spotlights the park's natural history. The Interpretive Host orients visitors to the park, answers questions, and provides information about the park's unique natural and cultural resources. Opportunities also exist for developing and presenting interpretive programs and completing other tasks.

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Bobby Brown SORA

It is now being managed by the county. They are seeking more host applicants for the future. office@bobbybrownpark.com

vogel

Vogel

Various hosting dates still available at Vogel State Par now through Fall 2016. 

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I will be at Magnolia Springs next week preparing for a Alternative Winter Break college group that will spend a week in service. Say hi if you are around!

Upcoming Volunteer Events

Volunteer Work Day

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 9 AM Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA Come join the Friends of Don Carter State Park every second Saturday of the month to participate in a variety of volunteer projects. Meet at park's visitor center. 678-450-7726.

Bike Trails Work and Ride

Saturday, Dec 12, 2015 9 AM to 1 PM Hard Labor Creek State Park - Rutledge, GA Join park staff and volunteers for some time spent working on the bike trail, and a guided trail ride afterward. If you assist with trail work there is no charge for the ride. 706-557-3001.

Garden Maintenance and Mulching

Saturday, Dec 19, 2015 9 AM to 12 PM High Falls State Park - Jackson, GA Do you have a green thumb? If so, we need your help to lay donated mulch in our flower beds. Bring gardening tools and work gloves. 478-993-3053.

Trails Work Day

Sunday, Dec 20, 2015 10 AM to 1 PM Sweetwater Creek State Park - Lithia Springs, GA Join us for a volunteer work day performing general trail maintenance on the beautiful trails of the park. Bring gloves, water, comfortable work clothes, and closed-toe, sturdy shoes. Recommended age 12 and up. Registration encouraged at 770-732-5871. Meet at the Visitor's Center. $5 parking. 770-732-5871.

Bike Trails Work and Ride

Saturday, Jan 9, 2016 9 AM to 1 PM Hard Labor Creek State Park - Rutledge, GA Join park staff and volunteers for some time spent working on the bike trail, and a guided trail ride afterward. If you assist with trail work there is no charge for the ride. 706-557-3001.

Volunteer Day / East Antioch Boat Ramp

Saturday, Jan 9, 2016 10 AM to 12 PM Rocky Mountain Recreation & Public Fishing Area - Rome, GA Please join our Ranger in helping keep the shoreline clean around the East boat ramp. Trash bags will be provided. Meet in the Visitor Information parking lot 706-802-5087.

Trails Work Day

Saturday, Jan 9, 2016 10 AM to 1 PM Sweetwater Creek State Park - Lithia Springs, GA Join us for a volunteer work day performing general trail maintenance on the beautiful trails of the park. Bring gloves, water, comfortable work clothes, and closed-toe, sturdy shoes. Recommended age 12 and up. Registration encouraged at 770-732-5871. Meet at the Visitor's Center. $5 parking. 770-732-5871.


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Holiday Events in Georgia State Parks

http://gastateparks.org/events

Hours and More

Ooops!

There were a couple of days this month that some of the parks in our system were strangely missing from the list when volunteers were trying to log hours. This has been corrected thanks to volunteers letting me know immediately. Thanks for not only keeping our parks in tip top shape but also keeping us informed when things are amiss!

month

Total Hours in the past 12 months


Hours submitted in last 6 weeks.

6weeks

Logging Your Hours

We rolled out the new volunteer hour tracking option in December 2014. It took a little longer than expected but now the 2014 hours have been transferred over and all incentives earned since then have been mailed out. 

Here is the website for more information on Volunteer Hours and how incentives are earned.

You can see how many hours you have recorded or were transferred over from 2014 by logging into your time sheet.http://www.trackitforward.com/site/georgia-state-park-and-historic-sites-volunteers-and-hosts/timesheet

Using this neat Stats feature, you can see where you are in the overall documentation of hours for volunteers all over the state: https://www.trackitforward.com/site/georgia-state-park-and-historic-sites-volunteers-and-hosts/stats

Thank you for your patience as we transitioned to this new tracking software. Your information is now accessible by you, park managers as well as myself. However, it is completely private and not accessible by anyone outside of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. 

Volunteers Defined: We love and need them all!

Community Volunteers-Help on a day-to-day basis at a Park as they are available. Our community volunteers help with leading hikes, helping with maintenance, assisting with the visitor or retail center, guide new visitors to park activities and locations. Those volunteering more than once per month or planning to volunteer more than 20 hours per year need to update registration.

Hosts (Campground, Yurt, Maintenance, Golf, Train)-Stay in their personal RV at designated free Host Site for 2-6 months in exchange for a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer work.  Host duties include: visitor assistance and maintenance.  All hosts are required to update registration to still be considered for hosting.

Group Volunteers-This is for Churches, Corporations, Scouts and Universities who want a tailor-made project that will strengthen the group as individuals as well as a team morale while assisting Georgia State Parks. Only the group leader will need to be registered in our system.

How are we doing?

In order for Georgia State Parks to continue to thrive and grow, even in these lean budget times, we need to get feedback from those that utilize our services and Parks. As Volunteers and Hosts, you have the same rights and anonymity in park observations and feedback as our Park Staff.  Please use this quick survey form to share your experiences with us.

Thanks for reading!  Please feel free to share with others.  If you need to contact me, Georgia State Parks Volunteer Coordinator: nyleta.wallace@dnr.ga.gov

As always, thank you for being a steward for Georgia State Parks!

Have a great day!

Helpful Links:

eNews Archived - http://gastateparks.org/volunteer/news

Log your Hours - http://gastateparks.org/volunteer/hours

See your recorded hours - http://www.trackitforward.com/site/georgia-state-park-and-historic-sites-volunteers-and-hosts/timesheet

Volunteer Hour Stats - https://www.trackitforward.com/site/georgia-state-park-and-historic-sites-volunteers-and-hosts/stats