Volunteers for Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens utilize their talents while gaining valuable knowledge and experience. By donating their time to the Gardens, they are able to serve the community, gain personal fulfillment and interact with people who share common goals and interests. Simply put, we depend on our committed and hard-working volunteers. The hours and talent volunteers devote to the Gardens are an incalculably valuable resource.

VOLUNTEER NEEDS

With the Gardens’ popularity and success, we’re seeing greater efficiency, sophistication, and need for volunteers in all facets of our operations. There are volunteer job descriptions, and a few select volunteer programs require a minimum time commitment. There is also training for all of our volunteering jobs and a built-in close working relationship with Gardens staff.

We want you to feel great about your volunteer time, which we understand is valuable and precious. The Gardens staff is here to support you in the same way that you give your time to support us. We want your volunteer efforts to bring you more satisfaction and more fun than ever before!

Below are some general categories in the Gardens’ Volunteer Program. Many of these have volunteer overseer positions available for those willing to take on even more responsibility. Click here to check out a detailed list of opportunities for the current season.

Volunteer Caterers: The Gardens hosts art show receptions and preview parties that require everything from cookies to hors d’oeuvres.

Volunteer Shuttle Drivers: You’ll have a set route driving grateful visitors in our courtesy shuttle.

Volunteer ACT Drivers/Guides: Drivers for our popular Accessibiliity Cart Tours are also docents who explain what visitors are seeing.

Volunteer Flower Arrangers: On at least one Thursday, you will bedeck the Visitor Center with 16 hand-picked creations, including 12 tiny arrangements for café tables, using your own or the Gardens’ plants and containers.

Computer Savvy Volunteers to Help Market the Gardens: If you have basic computer skills, are familiar with the Internet and can type accurately, you can help us list our events and programs on Website calendars hosted by magazines, travel companies, etc. Work from home using information we provide.

Gardens Mailings: You will have lots of fun at mailing ‘parties’ as you fold, stuff and stamp envelopes.

Front Desk Greeters and Receptionists: As the public face of the Gardens, your job is critical, and we’ll give you all the training you need.

Gift Shop: Commitment and reliability are essential, and we will train you in all other aspects of this enjoyable and much-needed volunteer job.

Adopt-the-Gardens Program: You’ll work side by side with horticulture staff.

Flower Show Volunteers: This is a great opportunity to talk about the Gardens to potential visitors.

Pink Lady’s Slipper Surveyors: On designated dates in June, you and another volunteer will search for plants in one section of the lady’s slipper study area using a checklist of plants seen the previous year.

Last-Minute/On-Call Volunteers: If you cannot commit to a regular volunteer program or even to a pre-arranged task at one of our special events, join this roster of those the volunteer coordinator can contact with a need she just can’t meet or that crops up at the last minute. There is no commitment, and this is a very helpful way to volunteer.

Literature/Poster Distribution: There are always rack cards and posters to be delivered using our list of sites on the peninsula and in neighboring towns. The more volunteers we have, the quicker the task gets done.

Strong  Men (and Women) Needed: Don’t laugh! There’s a dire need for strong folks to help set up and take down materials (not tents) at events. We ask your help at a minimum of two events.

The Gardens Docent Program
As a Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens docent, you’ll learn about our plants and gardens, the history of the organization and the land, and other interesting facts that will enable you to guide tours of the Gardens for the wide array of groups that visit.

Training for new and returning docents is held each spring and summer. This is a fascinating program that leads to the opportunity to provide an invaluable volunteer service.

To sign up for a volunteer position, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 207-633-4333, option ext. 107, or volunteers@mainegardens.org.