Reports To: Keith Patton, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) Program Coordinator

General Description: The purpose of the PBC- MG/ Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Advisory Committee is to assist the Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent, in a study and analysis of county landscape situations. Members identify important needs, problems, or opportunities associated with landscapes and storm water runoff pollution. As a committee member you will help prioritize and advise in the decision-making process concerning effective educational programs that will address the communities needs for Florida friendly landscaping.

The committee is advisory in nature and is part of a larger system that includes legal guidelines from the county, state and federal government, and recommendations for a total Extension program from an overall Extension Advisory Committee. The primary function of the FYN Advisory Committee is to identify and prioritize problems that are within the scope of Extension (education NOT regulation) and for which trained Master Gardeners have the expertise to deal with.

A primary role of the Advisory Committee is that of facilitating the identification of clients and providing guidance in program decision making based on information from a variety of sources. However, the responsibility and ultimate decisions for design and implementation of the county Extension program rests with the County Extension faculty.

Principle Duties: In addition to general program planning, Palm Beach County Master Gardener Advisory Committee members assume the following specific duties and responsibilities:

• Assist the collection of current situation information to be used in the program development
• Communicate capabilities of Palm Beach County MG/FYN Volunteer Program to community leaders at all levels
• Explore methods of expanding educational services to home gardeners, Home- owner Associations, environmental and civic groups, etc. in Palm Beach County
• Serve as hosts for educational horticulture programs conducted in the county
• Set audience priorities and geographic areas for program emphasis on an annual basis
• Review and evaluate educational programs to determine effectiveness and improve implementation
• In the event there is a vacancy in the professional staff, the Advisory Committee may be asked to provide program continuity while the change occurs by giving support and advice to the new staff member
• Identify collaborating partners and resources for the promotion of the FYN program.
• Assume a leadership role with other Master Gardeners, and the public directing them towards implementing the FYN landscape principles.

The FYN Advisory Committee will not be responsible for:

• Setting Extension policy
• Setting Master Gardener/FYN policy
• Hiring or firing personnel

Membership: The Palm Beach County MG/FYN Advisory Committee is composed of eleven to thirteen individuals representing a range of community interest and experience. The Master Gardener Education and Development Coordinator also serves on the committee.

Members serve three-year terms. The terms are staggered. Members are eligible to serve two consecutive three-year terms on the committee. Inactive committee members will be replaced. A committee member with more then three unexcused absences will be considered inactive.

Knowledge of all extension programs is not necessary for service on the committee. Committee members should have some knowledge of horticulture and environmental issues in the county.

Meetings: The Master Gardener Advisory Committee will meet as a group at least four times a year. For the meetings to work most effectively, representation at the meetings is necessary.

Subcommittee meetings may be held as deemed necessary by committee chairpersons.

Officers: In accordance with Extension policy the Advisory Committee will have the following officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Secretary. The departmental secretary may serve as the Advisory Committee Secretary if the committee desires. Chairs will be selected at the last meeting of the year and will serve a one-year term beginning the first meeting of the next year. Chairs may not be reappointed, the vice chair may be elevated to chairperson. If there are subcommittees, they will have an appointed chair. Subcommittee chairs may serve two years.