The Latest Dirt - Sept 2023
The Power of Collaboration: Why Every Project Needs Co-Leads
By Kirsten Mollo
As we continue to nurture our programs, fostering growth and beauty in our community, it’s crucial to remember that successful projects often rely on the strength of collaboration. While gardening is often seen as an individual endeavor, there’s immense value in working together towards common goals. One way to harness this potential is through the role of co-leads in our projects.
What are Co-Leads?
Co-leads are volunteers who share leadership responsibilities for a specific project or initiative. They work in tandem, providing guidance, support, and expertise to ensure the project’s success. Whether you’re planning speaker’s bureau activities, supporting school gardens or managing our general equipment, having co-leads can make a world of difference.
The Benefits of Co-Leadership
- Diverse Perspectives: Co-leads bring unique perspectives, skills, and experiences to the table. This diversity enhances problem-solving and creativity, leading to more innovation in our programs.
- Reduced Workload: Sharing the workload lightens the burden on individual leaders. Our projects often involve various tasks, from planning and organizing to maintenance and outreach. Co-leads can divide these responsibilities effectively.
- Increased Resilience: Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes, leaders might need to step away temporarily due to personal commitments. With co-leads in place, the project can continue to thrive even when other priorities need our time.
- Enhanced Learning: Co-leading allows for continuous learning and skill development. You can learn from each other, building a stronger project and community of volunteers.
- Better Time Management: Co-leads can help each other balance time commitments, ensuring that the project stays on track and meets our strategic goals.
We Need Co-leads Now
A number of our projects have been operating with one lead for a while, and a number have a new need for a co-lead. We advertise these leadership roles in Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, and they are listed below.
- Community Gardens
- School Gardens
- General Equipment & Maintenance (GEM)
- Jardineros
- Volunteer Support
- Speaker’s Bureau
- Recruitment
- Help Desk
- Growing Gardeners
Consider these openings, contact the current lead, or attend a project meeting to see if the role syncs with your passions and skill set. And don’t be daunted by the word “lead” – these are all collaborative roles where the current leads are there to mentor and guide so that the partnership will be successful.
As Contra Costa Master Gardeners, let’s embrace the power of collaboration and make our programs flourish like never before.