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Online Volunteer
Training Courses
Interested in a role that requires some learning before you can sign up? Take our online training courses to help in a specific role at the Garden. See the descriptions below and click on the link to begin your course.
Benefits
& Appreciation
JFG provides many benefits for our volunteers. Aside from the obvious benefits you will receive from simply spending time in the serene environment of the Garden, below are other ways JFG is dedicated to giving back to our greatly appreciated volunteer community.
Gift Shop Discount
Get a 10% discount on gift shop food, beverage and goods during your shift at the Garden. The gift shop staff will verify that you are either signed in for your shift or on the schedule for that day in order to give you the discount.
Awards
Receive awards for the highest hours in each role as well as longevity awards for number of years you have volunteered with us.
Volunteer Snack Bar
During events, volunteers will be provided with a volunteer designated rest area and snack bar with fresh fruit, snacks, drinks, etc.
Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event
Join us for our annual volunteer appreciation event where we show you our gratitude for your hours and years as well as special projects.
Volunteer Goods
JFG Volunteer merchandise such as shirts, pins, or stickers, will be given out whenever available.
Enrichment
Program
Our way of investing in our volunteers, helping you grow and learn how to appreciate Japanese gardens and culture on an ever deepening level here at RoHoEn.
Level System
There is a level system in traditional Japanese culture based on the Three Friends of Winter", the plum, bamboo and pine. In this three-tier ranking system the pine (matsu, 松) is the highest, followed by bamboo (take, 竹) and plum (ume, 梅). A pine tree's roots secure it to the sides of ragged rock and its needles remain vibrantly green even in the coldest of winters, bamboo also maintains its color through winter and grows incredibly tall, flexing without breaking, plums endure long winters, pushing out the very first symbol of spring as they bloom even in the snow. These three “Friends of Winter” essentially provide an allegory for weathering hard times through their various attributes. In Japanese this motif is called the Shōchikubai (松竹梅) and is used in everything from art, song, celebratory gifts, New Years decorations and Ikebana arrangements.
Using this beloved trio here at RoHoEn, there are three levels iin our Enrichment program.
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Ume (Plum) - Level 1
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Take (Bamboo) - Level 2
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Matsu (Pine) - Level 3
How To Advance In Levels
Volunteers move up in level when they have taken enrichment courses and spent a certain number of hours volunteering with us.
Our Enrichment system is a combination of in-person workshops and online content that can further educate you on various subjects related to your volunteer role. You can receive in-depth training on Japanese culture, garden designs and techniques, history and myths as well as many intriguing traditional Japanese arts.
Ume Level
- Plum 梅
Just like the plum is the first tree to blossom, being a new volunteer your knowledge and skills are just beginning to bud with plenty of energy for new opportunities and exploration at the Garden.
Take Level
- Bamboo 竹
Just like bamboo, you have shot up and grown straight and tall into your role, gaining deeper knowledge and perspectives to help yourself and others understand and appreciate the Garden more fully.
Matsu Level
- Pine 松
Just like a pine, your roots have dug deep and made you a symbol of proven longevity and steadfastness in the pursuit of training and investment here at RoHoEn. Your cool, green needles have never faded to brown but instead remained vibrant throughout your time at the Garden.
Get Even More Involved Through Our Social Media & Youtube Channel!
Our Online Volunteer Portal Page and our Online Volunteer Training project were funded, supported, and made possible by a grant from Arizona Humanities and National Endowment for the Humanities
