In order to minimize liability and to clarify the roles and expectations of MGs the following procedures should be followed: 

• Volunteers will performs their duties as representatives of NC State University, will follow university policies, and work under the supervision of a NC State employee.
  
• Volunteers will perform assigned duties without financial compensation. 
  
• Volunteers are expected to work with other volunteers, paid staff, and clientele in a professional manner. 
  
• Volunteers are to provide unbiased, research based information consistent with NC State University recommendations. 
  
• No recommendations or endorsements should be made of a particular product or place of business. 
  
• Chemical pesticide recommendations must be restricted to only those in the N. C. Agricultural Chemicals Manual or recent Extension publications. It is illegal to use or to recommend the use of a pesticide that is inconsistent with the pesticide labeling (label on the product, attached material and any additional printed material provide by the chemical company). Clients should be encouraged to read the pesticide labeling instead of providing application or dilution rates. 
  
• Both chemical and cultural recommendations should be given so clientele can make an informed decision concerning pest management. 
  
• Volunteers should not be expected to answer questions outside their expertise or training. This normally would include not answering questions concerning household pests, commercial horticulture, hazardous tree evaluation, medical or legal questions, and determining if a questionable plant or mushroom is edible. 
  
• Printed materials (news articles, news releases, newsletters, leaflets) prepared by a volunteer must be reviewed and approved by the Extension agent and/or the appropriate subject matter Extension specialist or State EMG coordinator. 
  
• Requests for information by newspaper reporters should be referred to the Extension agent. 
  
• Possible poisoning cases should be referred to the Carolina's Poison Center (1-800-848-6946). 
  
• Volunteers should not make copies of copyrighted material for distribution. 
  
• Volunteers do not have the authority to sign contracts on behalf of Cooperative Extension or the EMG program.

Use of MG title
An Master Gardenersm title is valid only when used by an active MG participating in a Cooperative EXtension activity or program. When an individual ceases to be active in the EMG program, their designation as a MG ceases.

The MG titles should be used only when doing unpaid volunteer work for the Cooperative Extension Service. It is inappropriate to seek payment for services conducted. When experienced MGs speak before groups on horticultural subjects, they may accept unsolicited reimbursements for expenses.

MGs should not use their title and position for commercial publicity or private business. Giving implied University or Extension endorsements to any product or place of business is a violation of Extension policies.

Record Keeping
Volunteer time includes both "work time" and "training time." The primary criteria in determining what counts as work time is: 

• It should be an Extension educational activity or
• In support of an Extension educational activity and
• Within the scope of the mission and plan of work of the Cooperative Extension.

Time sheets are the method you use to keep track of your hours as a MG. Turn these in on a regular basis, preferably every month. Agents may appoint a MG to keep track of volunteer hours. The Extension provides recognition for MGs when they complete 40, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 7,500 and 10,000 career hours. The county program may also provide recognition for your contributions. Do not be lax in reporting your time; you deserve recognition for your efforts! Reporting also helps ensure that CES will continue to be able to offer the EMG program.

Time sheets provide a record of the many ways MGs serve the public. Local and state government officials, which help fund Extension, are very interested in how effectively Extension uses tax revenues. Detailed time sheets that report hours, programs, the number of people reached, and success stories are valuable for program documentation.

Recertification
Certification is good for one year only. After you complete your required volunteer work time, you may choose to continue volunteering with the EMG program. Some MGs remain involved for years and contributed substantial amounts of time to Extension--sometimes thousands of hours! To be considered an "active" MG you must sign a Memorandum of Agreement and volunteer a minimum of 20 hours annually (subsequent years after completing the initial 40 hours). Some MGs take more than a year to complete their initial 40 hours. In this case they would be expected to volunteer 60 hours over the two year period.

The exact requirements to become recertified may vary from county to county so ask your Extension agent what pertains in your local program. Some counties require 40 hours of work every year. If you should choose not to continue in the program, you should not present yourself as a Master Gardenersm  volunteer and should not wear a MG name tag.

Follow-up and advanced training, important for the continuing education of the MG, will be provided according to needs and available resources. Volunteers are encouraged to attend seminars, conferences and MG in-service trainings in order to stay abreast of current recommendations. Feel free to read reference materials in the office. Some counties have a video tape library you can take advantage of.

Former MGs - Individuals not renewing their certification to continue in the program (or those dismissed from the program) should no longer refer to themselves as a Master Gardenersm, Master Gardener Volunteersm, Master Gardener Volunteer Internsm, or Master Gardener Extension Volunteersm or any similar title that could be perceived as being a representative of Cooperative Extension. Individuals may keep the manual for personal usage. No portions of the MG training manual should be reproduced or used in developing non Extension materials or programs. The name tag should no longer be used in a public setting. MG certificates should not be displayed outside the individuals home. 

Work Evaluation
You and your local Extension agent should plan to evaluate your performance of volunteer tasks and in return, the adequacy of support from the Extension Center. The purpose of this is to ensure your satisfaction with volunteer work and to determine whether the tasks you are performing are worthwhile for you, the community, and Cooperative Extension.

Presenting oneself as a MG in an unauthorized role and attempting to implement management/policy decisions that are inconsistent or in direct violation of EMG program policies are considered serious violations. Flagrant displays of discriminatory behavior, sexual harassment, alcohol and/or drug use, or possession of a dangerous weapon while on the job will not be tolerated and are grounds for immediate dismissal.

Your Reward
Your time, effort, talent, and enthusiasm are valuable contributions to consumer horticultural education. Since you do not receive an actual paycheck, what is your payment? Most MGs are motivated by several reasons. They include: 

• Participation in a quality horticultural course
• Receiving answers to their own gardening questions
• Interacting with other people who have a common interest
• Helping people expand their gardening knowledge
• Making a difference in their community