Tree Inventory

The City of Maple Grove is undertaking a project to inventory all residential and business boulevard and front yard trees in Maple Grove. You can help by volunteering to inventory trees in your neighborhood this summer. All training and equipment will be provided. This project will provide the City with information regarding how many ash trees could potentially be affected by the emerald ash borer and also know tree counts of other tree varieties since other plant pests are on the horizon. If you are interested in applying for this important project, please print, complete and sign the volunteer application and background check. A criminal background check is required - use this link for the form. You may either mail or scan and email the application materials. Contact Frank Kampel at 763-494-6365 or email us for more information or to volunteer.

Farmers Market

Shopper Service:  Present a friendly face to Market shoppers at Information Booth and in the Market, proactively interacting with customers to welcome them to the Market, sign them up for the newsletter, assist shoppers, engage children in activities including storytime.  Assist with hourly customer counts.  Promote Market activities, such as music, sponsor visits, and special events.  Commitment: 2-5 hours weekly or as your schedule allows.

Market Photographer:  Photos go a long ways to capture all the food and fun at the Farmers Market.  We can never have enough to use in promotional materials, website, Facebook, etc.  Camera provided for volunteer's use.  Commitment: 1-2 hours each Thursday or as your schedule allows.

Chef’s Assistant: Assist with chef demos at the Market by helping with set-up, washing and trimming produce, handing out samples and recipes, and serving as “right-hand” person to the chef. Time Commitment: 1-2 hours, 2x/month or as your schedule allows.

Survey Farmers Market Customers: Help to grow the Farmers Market by conducting “Dot” surveys right at the Farmers Market. These fun, quick surveys take our customers only about one minute to complete. We would like to learn more about how we can better serve them. Time commitment: 2 hours, once/month.

Market set up/take down:  A lot goes on behind the scenes to prepare for market day as well as to wrap things up when the Market closes, such as signage, tables, chairs, tents, handwashing stations, information booth.  In addition, this volunteer will be available to assist vendors and special exhibitors.  Commitment: 1-2 hours each Thursday or as your schedule allows.

Birthday Party Assistant: Be our right-hand person for the fabulous Farmers Market Birthday package, offered through the Maple Grove Community Center. Help stuff goodie bags, prepare and hand out samples of fresh produce to the birthday boy or girl and friends, and provide an extra set of eyes and hands for the children’s tour of the Market. Commitment: 1-2 hours weekly June 21-September 6, or as your schedule allows.

Maple Grove Arts Center

The Arts Center offers many opportunities for everyone to be involved. You don't have to be an artist to be involved with the arts. Volunteering includes helping with the Gallery Shows and openings, which includes the Red Show, the Black & White Show, and our outreach programs like the Maple Grove Days Art Fair, Halloween on Main Street, Hometown Holiday on Main Street, Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and classes for adults and children. Please contact www.maplegroveartscenter.org.

Maple Grove Community Organization (MGCO)

Are you looking for a way to become involved in your community? MGCO is a dedicated, fun group of volunteers who plan Maple Grove Days and Breakfast with Santa. More volunteers are always welcome as the group works together to celebrate Maple Grove. Planning for the 2013 Maple Grove Days begins in January. Meetings are the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Maple Grove Community Center. Please join them or call 763-494-5985 for more information. Everyone is welcome!

Maple Grove Arts Council

If you'd like to help the arts flourish in Maple Grove, join the Maple Grove Arts Council as a volunteer or board member. Board Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Maple Grove Government Center. The Arts Council plans the Maple Grove Autumn Art Festival in September, the annual Student Art Show in March, KidStock in the summer, and a performing jazz ensemble now doing concerts throughout the year. The Council has also sponsored a Holiday Bazaar in December. Call 763-494-5984 for more information, or email us at Maple Grove Arts Council. Also check the website at www.maplegroveartscouncil.org.

Adopt-a-Street

The Adopt-a-Street program is an opportunity for volunteers to keep Maple Grove's streets clean. Adopt-a-Street, similar to the Adopt-a-Park program, is open to schools, community groups, civic organizations, faith communities, businesses, families and individuals. A two year commitment is required with cleaning to occur three times a year (spring, summer and fall). Participating groups and individuals sign a simple agreement with the City. Bags and vests will be provided for the clean-ups; bags will be removed afterwards by the City. Signs will be erected indicating who has adopted the street. For more or to find out available streets, please call Frank Kampel at 763-494-6365.

Maple Grove Ambassador Scholarship Program

The mission of this program is to provide educational scholarships to young women ages 17-21,and the opportunity for personal and professional growth through involvement in the community and increased awareness of the greater community. Volunteers are needed to help in several ways. For more information, visit www.maplegroveambassadors.com. The current Ambassadors are also available to help with local volunteer efforts and business events.

Maple Grove Historical Society

The Maple Grove Historic Preservation Society meets the third Thursday of the month in the Mayor's Conference Room in the Government Center on Arbor Lakes Parkway at 7:00 pm. Help to discover, preserve and spread the story of Maple Grove. Everyone is welcome! Call 763-494-5983 for information.

Advisory Boards and Commissions

There are several opportunities for Maple Grove residents to serve on boards and commissions. For more information, contact Stevie Koll Anderson at 763-494-6004.

• Arbor Committee
• Citizen Advisory Committee
• Lake Quality Commission
• Parks and Recreation Board
• Planning Commission
• Transit Commission

Arboretum Statue Caretakers

Volunteers are needed to tend the statue located in the Arboretum. Responsibilities include keeping the area around the statue looking nice - weeding, raking, or shoveling snow from the bricked area. Time commitment is one week a month for one year. For more information or to volunteer, call 763-494-6504.

Dance Chaperones

Want to relive those great teenage years or see how things have changed? Adult chaperones are needed for teen dances from 6:30 pm-10:30 pm one Friday each month during the school year. Dances are held at Osseo and Maple Grove Junior High Schools. Call at 763-494-6512 or email the Community Center.

Police Reserves

If you are an adult citizen of Maple Grove and have time you want to give back to the community, find out more information about the Police Reserves program.

Adopt-A-Park

Adopt-A-Park is an opportunity for volunteers to help keep Maple Grove parks and trails beautiful. Adopt-A-Park is open to schools, community groups, civic organizations, faith communities, businesses, families and individuals. For information on Adopt-A-Park and available areas, please call 763-494-6535 or send an email.

Juvenile Diversion Program Leader

Do you work effectively with young people? Do you have an interest in being a positive role model to young people? Then consider participating in this program that offers first-time youth offenders a positive alternative to juvenile court. The goal of the program is to hold youth accountable for their actions while giving them the tools to ensure they don't re-offend. Volunteers, working in teams of two or more, receive training from the Northern Star Council. Programs are held one hour a week, for a ten week period; a 10 week commitment is necessary. These youth are good kids who made a bad choice and our goal is to get them back on the right path. Background check is required, volunteers must be at least 21 years of age. Contact Colleen Brazier, 763-231-7242 or email to find out more and how you can get involved with young people today. To learn more about the program, visit our website, www.juvenilediversion.org.