Friends of the Arboretum Native Plant Sale and Events Coordinator
Position Description – 10.16.2024
Friends of the Arboretum Mission Statement
Friends of the Arboretum builds positive relationships between people and the land through support of the UW–Madison Arboretum.
Friends of the Arboretum events
The Friends of the Arboretum (FOA) hosts events that raise funds and cultivate relationships that support the UW-Madison Arboretum. These include an annual sale of native plants, luncheon lectures, trips and tours. Proceeds from these events help FOA support educational programming and special projects at the Arboretum.
The FOA Native Plant Sale is held each year in May. The sale provides local gardeners with a reliable source for native plants and expert gardening advice. The sale is FOA’s largest fundraising event of the year.
The FOA’s luncheon lectures occur approximately monthly between September and June. The FOA also typically hosts several trips and tours, locally and regionally, in fall, winter and spring.
Position
The Native Plant Sale and Events Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the success of the annual FOA Native Plant Sale. Responsibilities for the sale include publicity; volunteer recruitment, training and supervision; plant ordering and processing; collaborating with the FOA Business Manager and Arboretum staff; overseeing set-up and operations the week of the sale; and supervision of a paid assistant during the spring plant sale.
The Coordinator also supports luncheon lectures, trips and tours. Responsibilities for these events include coordinating with committee members; collecting and disseminating information about the events; and handling event registration and communication with attendees.
Additional responsibilities include contributing to the FOA monthly electronic newsletter; routine maintenance and updating of the FOA website in collaboration with the FOA business manager; and collaboration with FOA board members, Arboretum staff and volunteers, and the FOA business manager as required.
This part-time employee position reports directly to the FOA Board President. The Coordinator serves as the Co-Chair of the Board’s Native Plant Sale Committee and attends FOA Board and committee meetings as appropriate. The position will average 20 to 30 hours per month, with a higher than average amount around the plant sale in May.
Qualifications
The Coordinator position requires excellent organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. In addition, the position requires knowledge and ability in the following areas:
Computer Use
Knowledge of social media platforms, spreadsheets, word processing, file-sharing systems, basic brochure design, web-based services such as Mailchimp and SignUpGenius, and WordPress (website) editing.
Written Communication
Preparing newsletter articles, instructions for customers and volunteers, publicity materials; and record-keeping.
Relationship Management
Recruiting, training and scheduling volunteers; collaborating with vendors; consulting and coordinating with staff and board members; providing excellent customer service.
Logistics
Managing timelines; scheduling deliveries; planning the layout for deliveries and sale; delegating tasks.
Horticulture
Ability to assess plant health for deliveries and maintain plant health prior to sale; familiarity with native species and a willingness to learn more; a basic understanding of plant naming systems.
Physical Requirements
Ability to drive, carry heavy items (hoses, potted plants, boxes of supplies), go up and down stairs, and stand and walk for 3-4 hours at a time.
Application process
Please submit a resume and a cover letter to the FOA business manager Donna Halleran at staff@foamadison.org no later than November 18, 2024. Questions about the position may be directed to the FOA president, Kate VandenBosch, at president@foamadison.org.