The Latest Dirt - November 2024
Join the CoCoMG Speakers Bureau and Make a Lasting Impact!
by Hedwig Van Den Broeck
In the previous The Latest Dirt, we shared that the Speakers Bureau was in jeopardy of not having 2025 Webinar Programming, and several other critical in-person programming due to a lack of volunteers. We held several information sessions for volunteers to learn how to help out with both types of programming.
It has been wonderful this past month to see the number of UC Master Gardeners who stepped forward to fill these vacant spots. We want to thank:
• Webinar Programming: Holly Sauer
• Webinar Coordinator Mentor: Tery Lizarraga
• Webinar Coordinator: Marissa Smithwick, Claudia Cohen, Jan Frankel, Anna Frankfurt, Tara Vaishnav, Stacy Schwan and Simone Adair
• Webinar Marketing & Reporting: Anna Frankfurt
• In-Person Talks Marketing (Demo Gardens) & Reporting (all In-Person): Katie Dell’Aquila
• Presentation Developers: Robyn Barker and Pam Austin
• Demo Garden Talk Coordinators: Robyn Barker, Stacy Schwan, Asha Arora, Stephen Guglielmana and Bonnie Dwyer
Additionally, Andrea Salzman, Holly Sauer, Monika Witte and I are planning the 2025 Webinar Topics and speaker lineup, which should be finalized in the next month. Exciting!
If you were unable to attend the recent “Speakers Bureau Wants You” meeting, here is the recording. Use passcode n?9Wgb3E to access it.
How the Speakers Bureau Works
The majority of the work isn’t about being a speaker; it’s all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into developing the talk, managing logistics, reporting, and providing support.
We have two key branches: virtual webinars via Zoom, held in partnership with the Contra Costa County Library, and in-person talks at Demonstration Gardens, local libraries, and upon request from external organizations. Our impact is substantial—over the past four years, we’ve reached an incredible 73,779 community members, both in live attendance and through online views!
Every third Tuesday from February through November, the CCC Public Library hosts our webinars from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. These sessions are highly popular, with an average viewership of 466, sometimes even surpassing 900 viewers! Each webinar requires careful planning with roles like scheduling, preparing presentations, creating promotional materials, reporting, and coordinating with various team members. Behind every successful webinar is a dedicated group: speakers, coordinators, communication specialists, Q&A experts, and our invaluable library partners.
In-Person Talks at Our Garden:
Janet Miller and her team organize these talks weekly from April through October, every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. It’s a wonderful chance to get involved directly! Volunteers coordinate each session by assisting speakers, welcoming attendees, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. In the future, we’re excited to expand these talks to additional demonstration gardens, including the Rivertown Demonstration Garden in Antioch.
Talks by Request:
Sierra Higgins continues to arrange talks for local libraries, garden clubs, and external organizations, coordinate marketing, and manage attendance for speaking events that come through our online speaker request form.
Get involved in 2025!
We still need a volunteer to coordinate the activities across the In-Person Talk Programming—think of it as a traffic director rather than a driver. Additionally, we always welcome extra hands in all the areas mentioned.
For those curious about a role but want more experience, we welcome volunteers who would like to shadow an experienced team member first. All roles receive training and mentoring.
Ready to join or learn more? We’ve conducted a brief survey of the various roles in the Speakers Bureau. Mark those that grab your attention, and we’ll connect with you to answer your questions! Whether you’re interested in coordinating, presenting, or helping behind the scenes, there’s a place for you in the CoCoMG Speakers Bureau.
Together, let’s keep growing our community’s love for gardening!