Volunteer Supervisors
Volunteer Supervisors play a key role at Great River Greening’s events. They lead small groups of volunteers and ensure participants are safe, complete quality work, and have fun.
If you have any questions or would like to be notified of future training opportunities, please reach out to Jessica Drummond at jdrummond@greatrivergreening.org.
Sign up for upcoming training sessions here.
What is a Volunteer Supervisor?
Each year we bring out thousands of people to participate in our volunteer events to help fulfill our mission. We rely on volunteer supervisors to ensure that the on-the-ground work is completed safely and correctly. Supervisors are assigned a small group of volunteers and designated work area to focus on as a team.
Supervisors help volunteers gain a greater connection to our shared environment and gain tangible restoration skills. As a supervisor, you will strengthen your communication and leadership skills, learn more about ecological restoration, and enhance your connection with the Great River Greening community.
How do I become a Volunteer Supervisor?
You must attend a Volunteer Supervisor Training, which is a 2-hour single session training held indoors or virtually online. You will learn more about Great River Greening, the supervisor's role and responsibilities, as well as how our events are formatted. You will then be required to pass a basic background check and join the Volunteer Supervisors online registration group hosted on GivePulse. We will keep this portal up-to-date with upcoming events, resources, and more.
What sort of commitment is required?
Supervisors will arrive an hour before an event is scheduled for event-specific training and site orientation. Supervisors will stay with their group throughout the duration of the event. It is expected that supervisors will attend 1-2 events per year after being trained. Each event requires a 4-5 hour time commitment in total. Public events are typically held on Saturday mornings, concluding after lunch. Private events are often held on weekdays during the workday.
In addition to the time commitment, supervisors are expected to be respectful, enthusiastic team players and eager to share their experiences with others.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am not a scientist or botanist — can I be a volunteer supervisor?
Yes, all are welcome! Training is required for all supervisors, regardless of background or experience. You do not need to have any prior experience in ecological restoration to be an effective supervisor—it is more important that you are enthusiastic, communicative, flexible, patient, and willing to learn.
What does a typical event look like?
Our events take place rain or shine, and the restoration activity can include invasive species removal, native plantings, seeding, and more. Supervisors will usually lead a group of 8-10 volunteers for several hours of work. Most public events begin with a short training for all attendees and conclude with a wrap-up program led by Great River Greening staff. Water and light snacks are typically provided. Private events and Future Stewards events have a slightly altered schedule that will be made available at the time of registration.
Do I need to have my own tools or special equipment?
We provide all the necessary tools and training. If you have your own favorite pair of work gloves or safety attire, you are welcome to bring them. However, please refrain from bringing any potentially dangerous tools with you; our field crew will handle these if the need arises.
How do I register to supervise an event?
Once you have completed your training, you will be invited to join a private Volunteer Supervisors group online at GivePulse, our event registration platform. There you will be able to learn more about current openings and register to supervise events. We have compiled a FAQ about the GivePulse platform here.
I completed the training before, but haven’t supervised an event in a while, what should I do?
If you are concerned about the length of time since your training, please check in with us. Contact info is provided at the top of this page.