What's Expected:
GOALS & EXPECTATIONS
The purpose of the Marin Master Gardener (MMG) Pruning Guild (PG or Guild) is to develop a group of skilled and knowledgeable Journeyman Pruners (JPs) who will consult with and educate both the public and the MMG community on the culture and pruning of small trees, woody shrubs and vines. It is also a goal of the Guild to create a mutually supportive community among its members. The Guild will engage in outreach activities each year designed to transfer the special knowledge and skills developed within the Guild to other MMGs outside the Guild and to the Marin public in accordance with the MMG Board’s direction as of it’s December 2021 Regular Meeting, and as such direction may be changed from time to time.
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MEMBERSHIP
The Guild is open to certified MMGs. It consists of first- and second-year Trainees, JPs who have successfully completed a two-year training program, and Emeritus JPs who have successfully completed a minimum of three full-time equivalent years as fully participating JPs. The Guild training program is typically open to up to 14 total first- and second-year Trainees. The Guild hosts an informational meeting each Spring that interested MMG applicants are encouraged to attend.
PROGRAM FORMAT
The PG annual cycle begins in July and continues through June of the following year. The Guild usually meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month, with no classes in December. Each Guild year, a minimum of six lectures and 16 Hands-On (HO) classes in the field are calendared, all taught by experienced aesthetic pruners from the Merritt College Aesthetic Pruning program, or by other experienced instructors or JPs.
Historically, five of the classroom lectures are open to all MMGs, and are usually held on the first or third Wednesday of a month, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 or 2 p.m. MGs from other counties are invited to register when space is available. Videotaped classes are generally open only to PG members. Beginning in June 2020, the PG suspended holding in-person lectures and began hosting its lectures on-line via Zoom. Going forward, lectures will occur either in person or virtually at the discretion of the PG Steering Committee (SC), in compliance with UCCE guidelines.
HO classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and go to 2:30, or 3:30, depending on the location. If the weather is inclement, HO classes may be rescheduled to the following week, depending on instructor availability. If an HO class is rescheduled, attendance is encouraged but not required. HO classes use a small group format with JPs and second- year Trainees guiding first-year Trainees. The small groups are collaborative with pruning decisions reached by consensus. Trainees are expected to follow all instructions from the JPs and instructors.
FEES
First and second year Trainees are asked to pay a non-refundable fee for the current year (July 1-June 30), payable in full before the first session. This fee covers all lectures and HO sessions. The amount of the annual fee is set each year by the SC and approved by the MMG Board. The fee varies from year to year, based on projected Guild costs. For the 2019-2020 MMG Year, the fee was $350. JPs will pay for any lectures they attend, but not for the Trainee HO sessions. JPs may be asked to pay for Advanced Trainings (JP only events) that they attend.
GUILD EXPECTATIONS
The expectations provided in this guideline are considered the minimums for membership. However, the SC may take extenuating circumstances into account in the event that PG members are unable to meet one or more of the expectations.
All Guild members need to enter their lecture, HO and Guild-related volunteer hours on VMS. (For more detail regarding reporting hours, refer to the PG Guideline “Reporting Continuing Education and Volunteer Hours” on PG’s Collaborative Tools (CT).)
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PG STEERING COMMITTEE
The PG Steering Committee consists of five or six members who manage the program. Trainees, JPs, and Emeritus JPs assist with the administration and operations of the Guild.