Protecting Volunteers and Community Members

Extension Master Gardener trainees must undergo the Volunteer Selection Process (VSP) to be accepted into the training program. This process includes national and state background checks, check against the Sex Offenders Registry (SOR), submission of references, and an interview. To remain active in the program, EMGs will need to have their background checked every year and name checked against the SOR every six months. Documentation: It is the responsibility of the Extension Master Gardener trainee to document his or her volunteer time and report that time by entering it in the MGP web-based Volunteer Management System. Time limits: An individual has one year from the end of the MSU Extension Master Gardener training course to complete and report the required 40 volunteer hours in the web- based Volunteer Management System (VMS).