Volunteer

Volunteer

Early Spring 2017

April 8

We were having classic April days – birds bursting into song at dawn, the first butterflies appearing, trees in bloom or just leafing out, and sunny days interspersed with cool nights and spring rains.

This meant that everything was happening oh-so-quickly. I had been so busy since (and including) winter that gardens took a spot on the back burner much too often. It all got way ahead of me.

In the above photo, you can see fruit trees that we finally pruned in February, sprinkled with blossoms. You can also see the Volunteer Peach Tree (just to the right of the porch chair) with a dusting of early leaves. It was pruned in February, also, for its very first time. I studied pruning instructions in books and videos, then did my best.

You can also see and expanse of almost solid green just before the porch. That is the Herb Garden Transformation Project, transformed, unintentionally, into a Weed Garden. It should look like a place of meandering paths and nicely planted areas with herbs and early vegetable plants. Actually, there are some herbs and vegetables in there – take my word for it! But, it was mainly a place of Dandelions, Plantain, Purple Dead Nettle, Henbit, and a great abundance of trailing, tangly Chickweed that was about to go to seed. I don't mind keeping some of each of those, as they are all useful, but this was way beyond my intentions.

This was one of my lessons, one of my teachers. It was one of the things letting me know I was doing too much, chopping up my time into pieces, saying “OK” and “yeah, sure, I'll do that” too often, getting off track, getting out of focus.

This fresh new spring meant a fresh new attitude, a different way of living through each day. I was asked to do a number of things (all volunteer) and I was turning them down left and right. Soon, I could turn some ample time and energy back to nature study, writing, and gardens.

But, in the meantime, my gardens looked like this. I will show you a photo from April 11. Yes, I will. I will be brave. Here I go (cringe) ….

 April 11

There is hope. It just takes time, that precious commodity.

Now that I've been brave in showing you that, I will say that the photo will serve as a “before” to a very different “after”photo that I hope to take in the near future.

Do you see that brand-spanking-new fence? That was a greatly needed accomplishment of my husband Richard and our brother-in-law Tom. Here's a view of it from the porch:

And some more views from the porch on that day:

  Richard bringing up the hibachi grill to use for the first time this year

Newly-bought plants

 Ronin (one of our Grand-dogs) and the rolls of hardware cloth that will be used to make compost sifters

Here is how the same garden looked at the end of December, 2016:

You can see the Volunteer Peach Tree festooned with a garland of snowflake lights for the holiday season. It was not yet pruned, so the strand goes high up.

You can also see the decrepit old fence that we've replaced since.

And, on February 27, 2017:

There was some greening happening on the ground. You can see that our fruit trees were pruned by then, and that the Volunteer Peach Tree (far left) was pruned and devoid of holiday lights.

Now I will give a “tour” through time of the Volunteer Peach Tree, starting from its immediate post-pruning time:

February 27: Just pruned, some buds swelling (we had an unseasonably warm period.)

 March 13, 2017: Branch with snowy blossoms.

After that warm spell, which caused some blossoms to pop out early, we had a freeze and some snow:

March 26: Back to a normal spring, blossoms just opening, just starting to get leaves

 April 3: Now the tree is fairly leafy, with a scattering of open blossoms

Almost mid-April and, my, how things changed with the Volunteer Peach Tree!

 

It had very leafy branches …

… still some blossoms hanging on …

… and some spent blossoms with insides just beginning to swell toward becoming fruit.

So far, so good. Since this was a Volunteer Peach Tree that probably sprouted from a peach pit that ended up in a compost bin and then ended up n the garden with the compost, I knew that the fruit would not be true to type. It likely would not be the variety of peach that grew on the tree where the pit originated. But, there might be peaches, and that was exciting enough.

I left that sprout in the garden just to see what it would do.

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I, myself, have functioned as a Volunteer in many capacities, for many years. The Volunteer Peach Tree reminded me of my trials and tribulations as a Volunteer, and the good aspects, too.

Some situations I had hoped would lead to the creation of a job in my field (none existed in my geographic area.) I worked hard, was creative, worked well with other people accomplishing common goals – I made a difference. But, the job did not come to fruition.

I am hoping that the Volunteer Peach Tree's efforts, and my efforts nurturing it along, will come to fruition. But, I will let the tree be what it will be as long as it wants to be where it is.

And, that brings me to the philosophical part – my advice, based on my varied experiences, not on how to be a Volunteer, but How To Treat a Volunteer.

To be clear – most of my Volunteer experiences have been positive, and I am still involved in some, though not as much as I used to be. Some Volunteer jobs I have quit simply because I had to cut back on extra things in my life or re-evaluate where to direct my time and energy, due to changing circumstances, energy, or focus. I am needing to be very careful about spending time with other pursuits that take away from my focus on nature study, writing, and, to a lesser degree, gardening. These pursuits are very demanding and I need much more time for them.

I have rarely quit a Volunteer situation because of a problem. But, from those problems, as well as the positive experiences, comes this list: How To Treat a Volunteer.

1. Remember that you can lose a Volunteer in a flash, since they don't come and go with the requirements and complications of a paid employee. They are not going to put up with hassle or disrespect when they are not getting paid – or, rather, they have the freedom to put up with much less. They will just go volunteer somewhere else. So, treat your Volunteers well (I spell Volunteer with a capitol “V” for a reason.) If the ground is not fertile, or if the climate is hostile, they will not grow for you.
   
   
2. I've learned to think of pruning the fruit trees not as a taking away but as giving – helping the trees to be their best- as encouraging strengths. In other words, recognize the strengths in your Volunteer and then allow them opportunities to use them! Guide them to a situation where they may work best and have more satisfaction. Believe me, that will greatly help your organization, business, school, church or whatever. A Volunteer will blossom, and there will be fruit. But you must pay attention and recognize.

3. Every person's uniqueness should be valued. Everyone is different and everyone is beautiful. No two peach trees are alike, and you need to get to know each one as it is and care for it accordingly.

4. Related to that, be aware that a Volunteer's uniqueness and strengths come mainly from his or her background and experiences. Bother to get to know them, what they have done, what they have learned. Actually care about where they went to school, what they studied, what kinds of work they've done, what kinds of projects they have led or been involved in, and general life experiences. This helps Volunteers know that you care about them, and it will help you, too. They do not have to be current or potential employees for this to matter.
   I don't know what variety of tree my peach seed/tree came from, but I would like to know. This is the first time it's been a tree, but I can be aware of how it has been experiencing things along the way and treat it accordingly.

5. I value the tree's part in the whole Herb Garden Restoration Project garden, and in our landscape. I let it be a part of all of that. Allow your Volunteers to be a part of the whole picture, and to feel a part of it. Let them know how important their part is in it. Saying “thank you” now and then is nice, and giving out certificates is, well, appreciated by some (excepting people like myself who do not like personal attention, only attention to the things we do.) Better than all of that, just show real respect and appreciation, any day, for what they do. Make sure they have what they need for the job they do (yes, ask them what they need.) Include them in all-company/organization events or meetings when appropriate, because, as per #2, you truly value them. Give them something that identifies them as part of the whole, such as a tag or pin with the place or organization's name, a shirt they wear to the job or event, etc. Make sure they are listed as contributors to projects, and that they are featured on brochures, websites, a display, etc.. All of these serve, too, as good conversation starters about your organization with people the Volunteer encounters outside of the situation. True story: I was once asked if I wanted a shirt (with logo) and I felt honored to be included that way with the staff, though I was a Volunteer. I even got to pick out what color I wanted (and my favorite color was one offered.) But when the shirts arrived, I was informed that they were sorry but my shirt had been given to someone else. Well, I thought, just a mistake. However, no effort was ever made to get me another shirt. Imagine how that made me feel.

6. Listen to and respect the ideas and suggestions given by a Volunteer, because that person may have special insight, knowledge, creativity or experience to lend to a project or decision. Furthermore – ask for their ideas and suggestions! Respect, respect, respect. You can “listen” to your tree. You might have an idea of how you want to go about a project, but the tree, if you pay attention, may have a better “idea.” Maybe pruning this branch would be better than that one. Maybe it is telling you the soil needs to be enriched. Maybe more sunlight would be better. True story: I had been a diligent, dependable Volunteer in a certain situation, but, due to circumstances in my life, it was going to be necessary for me to scale back. So, I put a great deal of thought and creativity into how we could still accomplish what we had been doing, or even more. I wrote up discussion notes and made an appointment to talk with the person with whom I'd been working directly all that time. As soon as I introduced my problem, he said, “Oh, yes, the problem of the volunteer!” (well, it wasn't “problem,” but a word I don't recall that implies unpredictable, undependable, fickle, that sort of thing.) Obviously, things were not off to a good start. And every idea I presented, even as I encouraged discussion between us, just seemed to be brushed off. After that meeting I went to my vehicle, said, “well, so that's that!” turned on the ignition, and turned my wheels away, never again to volunteer there. Respect is needed, or the Volunteer is gone in a flash.

7. Respect and value the work the Volunteer has put into the place. I try to see the value of what every plant, including the Volunteer Peach Tree, puts into my garden as a whole. Know how your Volunteer has worked hard to make something happen – without pay. From another true story: Don't call your Volunteers in a panic to have them come up with something to get you out of a fix, allow them to work hard on the solution, then partway through the activity decide to call off the rest of the thing without consulting with those who worked hard to create it.

8. In order for my Volunteer Peach Tree to flourish and be an asset to the garden, I must clearly “communicate” with it. I must do what I need to do, according to its needs, in response to what it is communicating to me. Communicate with your Volunteers – frequently and clearly. Keep them abreast of what is going on. If you cancel or postpone something in which they were to be involved – be sure to let them know (if you want them to continue giving their time.) Let them know about other things coming up that might interest them. Keep them in the loop. Be sure they are part of the network. Ask for their input and evaluations. And when you ask them to do something state clearly, in detail, what that is, and its components. If your Volunteer is putting time and work into a project, keep communicating with him/her about it. If he or she asks you for suggestions, advice, clarifications, ideas, etc., or sends you a finished project, respond to them without any prodding or reminders needed from the Volunteer. Another true story: Do not respond to them with “thanks” - no upper case, no names, no further words. That's not communication, or respect. Be gracious. Be prompt. Be complete.

I don't mean to dwell on the negative, and I hope I have given enough positive alternatives to mistakes. I have also had people show true appreciation for my work without trying to get excessive, should-be-paid-for work from me. I have had, and still have, people who have been terrific communicators. I have had people include me in a project, letting me know my expertise was truly valued, unique and needed. I have had people ask me, as a Volunteer, for advice on an aspect of a project. I have had (and have now) volunteer experiences that are a lot of fun, and where I know I am helping to accomplish important things.

You can bet I've left the negative ones behind, and that I remain focused on the good ones.

A lot of what I listed should be just common sense, if one wants to keep a good Volunteer, but it can be surprising, sometimes, how that is lacking. If you have a Volunteer who is dedicated, hard-working, dependable and valuable – don't mess it up!

And, I'll try not to mess up the Volunteer Peach Tree. Hopefully, by paring back on the extra stuff, I'll be able to take better care of it and my whole garden.