Chapter Administration
chapter Mission and History
Volunteers for Conservation - Stewardship, Education, Citizen Science
Mission
The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service. For more information on the Virginia program, visit the VMN website.
Some key aspects of our mission include:
Chapter History
The Old Rag Master Naturalists chapter serves the Rapidan–Upper Rappahannock Watershed. The service area includes the counties of Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison, Greene, Orange, and Fauquier. The large geographic area of these counties, rural in nature, includes major natural resources rich in biodiversity. Among these are the headwaters and tributaries of the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers, Shenandoah National Park, and two Virginia Wildlife Management Areas.
We at the Old Rag Chapter value the role and the beauty of nature and wish to play a part in the stewardship of our natural resources. State employees can only do so much in support of our wildlife, our forests, our flowers, our water, our soil, and air. As a knowledgeable group of volunteer stewards, educators, and citizen scientists, we can add depth and breadth to the conservation and management of Virginia’s natural environments. What we learn through our training, we give back through volunteer service to Virginia and our local communities.
The Old Rag Chapter was formed in 2007. By June 2023, twelve classes will have completed basic training. The first class celebrated graduation on December 3, 2007, with 25 graduates. Class members go on to participate in or start service projects and attend advanced training. Individuals become certified Virginia Master Naturalists when all their requirements for certification are met. On December 3, 2007, the graduates and other members of the Chapter elected the Old Rag Master Naturalists Chapter’s first Board of Directors; and on January 7, 2008, the first chapter officers were selected.
Also see this brief history of the State VMN program.
Chapter Accomplishments
The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service. For more information on the Virginia program, visit the VMN website.
Some key aspects of our mission include:
- A focus on natural resources: This focus distinguishes our program from some other programs, such as Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, which is focused on home horticulture.
- A focus on volunteerism: The primary purpose of the VMN program is not to provide adult education through the Basic Training course, but rather to train, develop, and support volunteers who will participate in natural resource conservation.
- A focus on local communities: Although the program is statewide, it is a chapter-based program that encourages volunteers to focus their learning and service in their own community.
Chapter History
The Old Rag Master Naturalists chapter serves the Rapidan–Upper Rappahannock Watershed. The service area includes the counties of Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison, Greene, Orange, and Fauquier. The large geographic area of these counties, rural in nature, includes major natural resources rich in biodiversity. Among these are the headwaters and tributaries of the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers, Shenandoah National Park, and two Virginia Wildlife Management Areas.
We at the Old Rag Chapter value the role and the beauty of nature and wish to play a part in the stewardship of our natural resources. State employees can only do so much in support of our wildlife, our forests, our flowers, our water, our soil, and air. As a knowledgeable group of volunteer stewards, educators, and citizen scientists, we can add depth and breadth to the conservation and management of Virginia’s natural environments. What we learn through our training, we give back through volunteer service to Virginia and our local communities.
The Old Rag Chapter was formed in 2007. By June 2023, twelve classes will have completed basic training. The first class celebrated graduation on December 3, 2007, with 25 graduates. Class members go on to participate in or start service projects and attend advanced training. Individuals become certified Virginia Master Naturalists when all their requirements for certification are met. On December 3, 2007, the graduates and other members of the Chapter elected the Old Rag Master Naturalists Chapter’s first Board of Directors; and on January 7, 2008, the first chapter officers were selected.
Also see this brief history of the State VMN program.
Chapter Accomplishments
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Our Board
Old Rag Chapter - Board of Directors
As of June 24, 2023
Officers
President: Tom Dreier (1st term expires 6/30/24) Culpeper tom_dreier@yahoo.com
Vice President: Charlene Uhl (1st term expires 6/30/26) Madison chu@sycamoregrove.farm
Secretary: Linda Lowery (1st term expires 6/30/25) Fauquier lindatlowery@gmail.com
Treasurer: Bill Bynum (2nd term expires 6/30/26) Rappahannock bynumbill@yahoo.com
Elected Board Members
Bonnie Beers (1st term expires 6/30/24) Rappahannock bonbeers@yahoo.com
Cynthia Colson (1st term expires 6/30/25) Culpeper cindy.colson@comcast.net
Alan Edmunds (1st term expires 6/30/24) Madison. edmunds_alan@yahoo.com
Dorothy "Tepp" Tepper (2nd term expires 6/30/25) Rappahannock dhtinva@comcast.net
Jere Willis (2nd term expires 6/30/26) Culpeper jmhwillisiii@gmail.com
Ex-Officio Members
Barry Buschow Past President Culpeper fcbarry@gmail.com
Alex Bueno VMN-Better Impact Coordinator Culpeper buenoa@umich.edu
Kinner Ingram, Chapter Advisor VA Department of Forestry. Madison kinner.ingram@dof.virginia.gov
Terms for Board members are three years. A Board member may serve two consecutive terms.
Board Meetings
First Tuesdays of alternate months, 4:00 pm -- January, March, May, July, September, November.
2023: January 3, March 7, May 2, July 11, September 5
Member Meetings
2nd Tuesday of alternate months, 6:30pm -- February, April, June, August, October, December.
2023 Special date for Annual Member Meeting: Saturday, June 24 Annual Meeting at Stoney Brook Farm
For By-laws, Operating Handbook, and other Chapter Documents - click here
For Suggested Documents for New Board Member Orientation - click here
Officers
President: Tom Dreier (1st term expires 6/30/24) Culpeper tom_dreier@yahoo.com
Vice President: Charlene Uhl (1st term expires 6/30/26) Madison chu@sycamoregrove.farm
Secretary: Linda Lowery (1st term expires 6/30/25) Fauquier lindatlowery@gmail.com
Treasurer: Bill Bynum (2nd term expires 6/30/26) Rappahannock bynumbill@yahoo.com
Elected Board Members
Bonnie Beers (1st term expires 6/30/24) Rappahannock bonbeers@yahoo.com
Cynthia Colson (1st term expires 6/30/25) Culpeper cindy.colson@comcast.net
Alan Edmunds (1st term expires 6/30/24) Madison. edmunds_alan@yahoo.com
Dorothy "Tepp" Tepper (2nd term expires 6/30/25) Rappahannock dhtinva@comcast.net
Jere Willis (2nd term expires 6/30/26) Culpeper jmhwillisiii@gmail.com
Ex-Officio Members
Barry Buschow Past President Culpeper fcbarry@gmail.com
Alex Bueno VMN-Better Impact Coordinator Culpeper buenoa@umich.edu
Kinner Ingram, Chapter Advisor VA Department of Forestry. Madison kinner.ingram@dof.virginia.gov
Terms for Board members are three years. A Board member may serve two consecutive terms.
Board Meetings
First Tuesdays of alternate months, 4:00 pm -- January, March, May, July, September, November.
2023: January 3, March 7, May 2, July 11, September 5
Member Meetings
2nd Tuesday of alternate months, 6:30pm -- February, April, June, August, October, December.
2023 Special date for Annual Member Meeting: Saturday, June 24 Annual Meeting at Stoney Brook Farm
For By-laws, Operating Handbook, and other Chapter Documents - click here
For Suggested Documents for New Board Member Orientation - click here
Chapter Committees
As of April, 2023
ADMINISTRATIVE
Executive Committee President, V.P., Secretary, Treasurer and I.P.P.
Nominations Committee (Jere Willis, Chair)
Members: Dee Dee Lyon and Gail Swift.
Finance Committee
Treasurer (Chair), President and V.P.
Internal Audit Committee non-Board member appointed by the President
VMN-Better Impact Committee (Alex Bueno, Coordinator)
PROGRAM
Basic Training Committee (Rob Bannister, Joan Townsend, Co-Chairs):
Members: Bonnie Beers, Alex Bueno, Deirdre Clarke, Watt Hypes, Viv Sharp, Jeff Stehm, Dorothy Tepper, Cindy Colson, Charlene Uhl, Rand Beers
Communications Committee (Emily Byers, Chair):
Members: Kathleen Aucoin (website), Bonnie Beers (website/calendar), Carolyn Emerick, Kathryn Hughes, Gail Swift, Charlene Uhl
Google Groups - Mary O'Meara
Continuing Education and Logistics Committee (Linda Bueno, Charlene Uhl, Co-Chairs):
Members: Grace Cangialosi, Cindy Colson
Projects Committee (Carolyn Smith, Chair)
Members: Kathleen Aucoin, Chris Browning, Alex Bueno, Grace Cangialosi, Linda Duncan, Brian Duncan, Linda Lowery
Member Recruitment and Services Committee (Bruce Bowman, Ann Bowman, Co-Chairs):
Members: Mary Fran leMat, Dee Dee Lyon, Connie McCabe, Marie Riedel, Carolyn Strand, Sandra Suty, Charlene Uhl, Frances Vaughn
Stream Monitoring Coordinator - Jere Willis
Blue Bird Trail Coordinator - Alex Bueno
Butterfly Coordinator - Victoria Fortuna
Merchandise Coordinator - Lynne Leeper
ADMINISTRATIVE
Executive Committee President, V.P., Secretary, Treasurer and I.P.P.
Nominations Committee (Jere Willis, Chair)
Members: Dee Dee Lyon and Gail Swift.
Finance Committee
Treasurer (Chair), President and V.P.
Internal Audit Committee non-Board member appointed by the President
VMN-Better Impact Committee (Alex Bueno, Coordinator)
PROGRAM
Basic Training Committee (Rob Bannister, Joan Townsend, Co-Chairs):
Members: Bonnie Beers, Alex Bueno, Deirdre Clarke, Watt Hypes, Viv Sharp, Jeff Stehm, Dorothy Tepper, Cindy Colson, Charlene Uhl, Rand Beers
Communications Committee (Emily Byers, Chair):
Members: Kathleen Aucoin (website), Bonnie Beers (website/calendar), Carolyn Emerick, Kathryn Hughes, Gail Swift, Charlene Uhl
Google Groups - Mary O'Meara
Continuing Education and Logistics Committee (Linda Bueno, Charlene Uhl, Co-Chairs):
Members: Grace Cangialosi, Cindy Colson
Projects Committee (Carolyn Smith, Chair)
Members: Kathleen Aucoin, Chris Browning, Alex Bueno, Grace Cangialosi, Linda Duncan, Brian Duncan, Linda Lowery
Member Recruitment and Services Committee (Bruce Bowman, Ann Bowman, Co-Chairs):
Members: Mary Fran leMat, Dee Dee Lyon, Connie McCabe, Marie Riedel, Carolyn Strand, Sandra Suty, Charlene Uhl, Frances Vaughn
Stream Monitoring Coordinator - Jere Willis
Blue Bird Trail Coordinator - Alex Bueno
Butterfly Coordinator - Victoria Fortuna
Merchandise Coordinator - Lynne Leeper
Chapter Contacts
Basic Training Program - Cindy Colson
Continuing Education - Charlene Uhl
Newsletter and MadRapp Nature Column - Charlene Uhl and Bonnie Beers
Communications
ORMN Website - Bonnie Beers and Kathleen Aucoin
ORMN Facebook Page - Emily Byers
ORMN Google Group List - Mary O'Meara
Member Recruitment and Services - Bruce and Ann Bowman
Volunteer Projects - Carolyn Smith
Continuing Education - Charlene Uhl
Newsletter and MadRapp Nature Column - Charlene Uhl and Bonnie Beers
Communications
ORMN Website - Bonnie Beers and Kathleen Aucoin
ORMN Facebook Page - Emily Byers
ORMN Google Group List - Mary O'Meara
Member Recruitment and Services - Bruce and Ann Bowman
Volunteer Projects - Carolyn Smith
For more information on Virginia Master Naturalists, check out: |
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Chapter Documents
Chapter documents: Annual Reports and Plans, Treasurer Reports, Bylaws and Policies, Committee Workplans, Forms, and more- Click Here
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