The Restorative Garden for Volunteers
June 22, 2026
12:30pm – 4:30pm Central
This session is designed to mirror The Restorative Garden theme by focusing on the renewal of both the volunteer ecosystem and the leaders who steward it. The program emphasizes practical tools alongside opportunities for reflection and restoration—and the need to thoughtfully support those who carry the work forward.
Session 1 – Creating the right garden: a volunteer program that attracts today’s peoples
- Clarifying the Extension identity of Master Gardeners versus a “garden club” model, so leaders can explain this clearly to volunteers.
- Rethinking how you recruit and invite people in a way that reflects current realities and the heavy lift your volunteers have already done.
- Introducing key 21st‑century volunteering practices that keep expectations clear, roles purposeful, and people aligned with your mission.
Session 2 – Restoring the Volunteer Garden: Engagement, Burnout and Stress
- Keeping volunteers inspired and connected without overextending your most committed people.
- Recognizing early stress and burnout signs in both volunteers and leaders.
- Practical, realistic strategies for re‑balancing workloads, setting boundaries, and creating more sustainable patterns of involvement.
Session 3 – Leading the Restorative Garden: Change‑Ready, Resilient Teams in Extension
- Building agile, change‑ready teams that can navigate differing perspectives and evolving expectations.
- Strengthening leadership resilience and decision‑making in complex, volunteer‑driven environments.
- Introducing a very practical, no‑fluff planning tool leaders can use to align local projects with Extension priorities without months of process.
Martin J Cowling has over three decades of extensive experience working with a diverse range of associations, social purpose organizations, non-profits, and government bodies. He delivers highly regarded consulting, training, support, and strategic guidance services globally, equipping individuals and organizations with the tools necessary in change, leadership, and impact. He firmly believes that people are the cornerstone of an organization’s success. He is dedicated to fostering mutually beneficial relationships across organizations, ensuring that contributions lead to significant positive impact.
Martin’s Mission: Equipping leaders for lasting impact
Martin’s Career Highlights:
● Led the Office of the Not-for-Profit Sector for the Australian government
● Instrumental in establishing the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) in 2013
● Recognized as one of the top 100 speakers on philanthropy by Philanthropy 101
● Works with volunteering organizations across the globe
● Delivered training and consulting in 16 countries in Asia, Europe, Middle East, North and South America and Pacific
● Volunteers for cancer research, homelessness and MS