VOLUNTEER SIGN UP
Volunteer Induction
Thank you for committing your time and efforts in supporting Mt Vernon Park
Mt Vernon Park
Mt Vernon Park is a recreation and restoration area in the Port Hills. The Park is owned and managed by the Port Hills Park Trust to promote conservation values, accessible recreation, and the preservation of an undeveloped non-urban section of the Port Hills. Founded in 1985 the Park was acquired through major public fund-raising efforts as an asset to be enjoyed by the public.
Park Volunteers
Mt Vernon Park utilises volunteers not just for work programmes. All Management Committee members, and Trustees of the Port Hills Park Trust Board are themselves unpaid volunteers, dedicated to seeing and achieving positive outcomes for people, community and the environment.
How the Park operates
The Management Plan outlines the core objectives and policies applied by the Port Hills Park Trust Board. Day-to-day operations and management of Mt Vernon Park are overseen by the Mt Vernon Management Committee.
Detailed work plans provide the framework for current and future projects within Mt Vernon. Plans are consistent with the objects of the Trust deed, the vision for Mt Vernon Park and Port Hills generally, as reflected in the Management Plan.
Works in the Park
The Management Committee controls all work undertaken, follows approved programmes of work, and conforms with the Management Plan. Planned actions and activities are informed by best practices, experience and expertise. Volunteers provide a core service component in the regular day by day management and operation of the Park. External funding is utilised for major contracted works beyond the scope of volunteers.
Restoration Pathway
Ecological restoration methods have been developed and informed over the past 30 years. As a result Mt Vernon Park’s restoration actions and activities may vary from those of surrounding areas. Evidence of the success of methods is visible within earlier restoration areas.
Safety and Terms of Engagement
In becoming a volunteer you are responsible for your own risk management. Activities undertaken should be within your own individual capability. As a volunteer you are responsible for any loss of or damage to your personal property while engaged in volunteering activities.
Volunteers are to comply with the project leader’s safety and risk management instructions, and only operate machinery and equipment where adequate skill level and instruction has been demonstrated. Necessary equipment, and materials are provided through the Mt Vernon Management Committee. Where required, training will be supported.
Expectations
Volunteer work is subject to supervision and direction. No work is to be undertaken without the direct instruction or permission of the Mt Vernon Park Management Committee. Activities and actions must be aligned to existing work programmes and directives.
We anticipate that the overwhelming majority of volunteers on Mt Vernon will engage with a spirit of cooperation and a shared love of the Port Hills - for which we are immensely grateful. However, in the rare situation where a volunteer(s) acts in ways that contravene the Mt Vernon Management Plan, cause offense to park users, or are deemed to be acting in poor faith, the Trust will first seek communication with the individual(s) and may ask them to cease further work. Where the volunteer(s) continues to act against the wishes of the Trustees, the Trust will trespass said individual(s).
Work Alignment: Effective outcomes for the hours worked
Keeping records of volunteer hours of service for Mt Vernon Park, can be a persuasive element supporting future funding applications.
Recording your volunteer actions with respect to identified projects is fundamental for capturing our combined efforts. Therefore, at times the Management Committee may ask you for your hours worked, area in which work was undertaken, and if known the related project / action point.
Projects and Proposed Works
If you have an idea or identify an area or a project which aligns with the Port Hills Park Trust vision and outcomes within the Mt Vernon Park Management Plan, these can be developed and presented to the Mt Vernon Park Management Committee and Port Hills Park Trust for consideration.