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About Us
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. As of June 2018, nine classes 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.
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. As of June 2018, nine classes 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.
Our Board
Old Rag Chapter - Board of Directors
For the term July 1, 2019—June 30, 2020
Officers
President: Barry Buschow ( 1st term expires 6/30/21) Culpeper fcbarry@gmail.com
Vice President: Mary Fran leMat (2nd term expires 6/30/22) Rappahannock mflemat@gmail.com
Secretary: Dorothy “Tepp” Tepper (1st term expires 6/30/22) Culpeper dhtinva@comcast.com
Treasurer: Dave Cooper (1st term expires 6/30/21) Madison
Elected Board Members
Bruce Bowman (1st term expires 6/30/21) Madison
Kathleen Aucoin (1st term expires 6/30/23) Culpeper
Deirdre Clark (1st term expires 6/30/22) Fauquier
Bill Bynum (1st term expires 6/30/23) Rappahannock
Berni Olson (1st term expires 6/30/23) Rappahannock
Ex-Officio Members
Gail Swift, Past President Rappahannock gailswift@gmail.com
Dera Cooper, VMN-VMS Coordinator Madison
Chapter Advisor: Jack Kauffman VA Department of Forestry, Madison
Terms for Board members are three years. A Board member may serve two consecutive terms.
Our Bylaws
Our Operating Handbook
Officers
President: Barry Buschow ( 1st term expires 6/30/21) Culpeper fcbarry@gmail.com
Vice President: Mary Fran leMat (2nd term expires 6/30/22) Rappahannock mflemat@gmail.com
Secretary: Dorothy “Tepp” Tepper (1st term expires 6/30/22) Culpeper dhtinva@comcast.com
Treasurer: Dave Cooper (1st term expires 6/30/21) Madison
Elected Board Members
Bruce Bowman (1st term expires 6/30/21) Madison
Kathleen Aucoin (1st term expires 6/30/23) Culpeper
Deirdre Clark (1st term expires 6/30/22) Fauquier
Bill Bynum (1st term expires 6/30/23) Rappahannock
Berni Olson (1st term expires 6/30/23) Rappahannock
Ex-Officio Members
Gail Swift, Past President Rappahannock gailswift@gmail.com
Dera Cooper, VMN-VMS Coordinator Madison
Chapter Advisor: Jack Kauffman VA Department of Forestry, Madison
Terms for Board members are three years. A Board member may serve two consecutive terms.
Our Bylaws
Our Operating Handbook
Proposed Documents for new board member orientation:
Located on Chapter Documents page, here:
1. Virginia Master Naturalist Program Volunteer Handbook and Policy Guidelines (December 21, 2016)
2. Bylaws of Old Rag Master Naturalists, Inc . (December 12, 2016)
3. Old Rag Master Naturalists Operating Handbook (March 7, 2018)
4. Current Program Committee List (below on this page)
5. Current Committee Work Plans
Located on Approved Projects page, here:
6. Approved Projects
Located on VMN Volunteer Management System website, here:
7. List of current members
Located on Meeting Minutes page, here:
8. Minutes from last 3 Board of Director meetings
9. Current Action Plan here.
Located on Chapter Documents page, here:
1. Virginia Master Naturalist Program Volunteer Handbook and Policy Guidelines (December 21, 2016)
2. Bylaws of Old Rag Master Naturalists, Inc . (December 12, 2016)
3. Old Rag Master Naturalists Operating Handbook (March 7, 2018)
4. Current Program Committee List (below on this page)
5. Current Committee Work Plans
Located on Approved Projects page, here:
6. Approved Projects
Located on VMN Volunteer Management System website, here:
7. List of current members
Located on Meeting Minutes page, here:
8. Minutes from last 3 Board of Director meetings
9. Current Action Plan here.
Chapter Accomplishments
Chapter committees
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Basic Training Committee
Purpose: To provide the chapter with a group of qualified volunteers to assist in carrying out the ORMN mission.
Responsibility: To organize and run classes for new chapter recruits
Chair: Bonnie Beers
Members: Bill Birkhofer, Bruce Bowman, Katie Burney, Len Cowherd, Ken Cranston, Tom Drier, Watt Hypes, Phoebe Meunger, Tracy Neeley, Berni Olson, Anita Ostrander, Dorothy Tepper, Frances Vaughn, Jeff Stehm
Continuing Education Committee
Purpose: To provide opportunities for ORMN members to expand their knowledge and skills.
Responsibility: To manage all continuing education events for the chapter.
Chair: Bill Birkhofer and Jeff Smith
Members:
External Communications Committee
Purpose: To expand the public’s knowledge of natural resource conservation in Virginia by presenting education opportunities to the public and highlighting chapter activities
Responsibility: To manage all outreach and public relations for the chapter.
Chair: Watt Hypes
Members: Dee Dee Lyon
Meetings and Logistics Committee
Purpose: To ensure that the chapter has access to appropriate venues and resources for all ORMN activities.
Responsibility: To coordinate all facilities and equipment needs of the chapter.
Chair: Grace Cangialosi
Members: Bill Birkhofer, Dave Cooper
Member Services Committee
Purpose: To provide support to trainees and members in order to encourage participation in the work of the chapter.
Responsibility: To provide support services for the membership.
Chair: Marcia Colby
Members: Cheri Lawson, Bruce Bowman, Ann Bowman
Nominating Committee
Chair: Bruce Bowman
Online Communications Committee
Purpose: To provide chapter members with readily accessible information about the activities of ORMN.
Responsibility: To manage all internet platforms for the chapter.
Chair: Jeff Stehm
Members: Jack Price (facebook), Gail Swift, Bonnie Beers
Projects Committee
Purpose: To ensure that ORMN members have access to volunteer opportunities which meet chapter criteria.
Responsibility: To approve projects and supply information about chapter volunteer opportunities.
Chair: Carolyn Smith
Members: Kathleen Aucoin, Chris Browning, Grace Cangialosi, Linda Duncan, Brian Duncan, Ellen Early, Jane Smith
Recruitment and Selection Committee
Purpose: To ensure that there is an adequate pool of applicants for ORMN’s basic training class.
Responsibility: To find and recruit new candidates for membership.
Chair: DeeDee Lyon, MaryFrancis leMat
Members: Marie Riedel, Carolyn Strand, Sandra Suty
VMN-VMS Coordinator
Purpose: To manage the ORMN portion of the Virginia Master Naturalist Management System.
Responsibility: Administer the ORMN portion of the Virginia Master Naturalist-Volunteer Management System (VMN-VMS)
Chair: Dera Cooper
Members: Alex Bueno, Rhonda Foster, Dana Squire
Purpose: To provide the chapter with a group of qualified volunteers to assist in carrying out the ORMN mission.
Responsibility: To organize and run classes for new chapter recruits
Chair: Bonnie Beers
Members: Bill Birkhofer, Bruce Bowman, Katie Burney, Len Cowherd, Ken Cranston, Tom Drier, Watt Hypes, Phoebe Meunger, Tracy Neeley, Berni Olson, Anita Ostrander, Dorothy Tepper, Frances Vaughn, Jeff Stehm
Continuing Education Committee
Purpose: To provide opportunities for ORMN members to expand their knowledge and skills.
Responsibility: To manage all continuing education events for the chapter.
Chair: Bill Birkhofer and Jeff Smith
Members:
External Communications Committee
Purpose: To expand the public’s knowledge of natural resource conservation in Virginia by presenting education opportunities to the public and highlighting chapter activities
Responsibility: To manage all outreach and public relations for the chapter.
Chair: Watt Hypes
Members: Dee Dee Lyon
Meetings and Logistics Committee
Purpose: To ensure that the chapter has access to appropriate venues and resources for all ORMN activities.
Responsibility: To coordinate all facilities and equipment needs of the chapter.
Chair: Grace Cangialosi
Members: Bill Birkhofer, Dave Cooper
Member Services Committee
Purpose: To provide support to trainees and members in order to encourage participation in the work of the chapter.
Responsibility: To provide support services for the membership.
Chair: Marcia Colby
Members: Cheri Lawson, Bruce Bowman, Ann Bowman
Nominating Committee
Chair: Bruce Bowman
Online Communications Committee
Purpose: To provide chapter members with readily accessible information about the activities of ORMN.
Responsibility: To manage all internet platforms for the chapter.
Chair: Jeff Stehm
Members: Jack Price (facebook), Gail Swift, Bonnie Beers
Projects Committee
Purpose: To ensure that ORMN members have access to volunteer opportunities which meet chapter criteria.
Responsibility: To approve projects and supply information about chapter volunteer opportunities.
Chair: Carolyn Smith
Members: Kathleen Aucoin, Chris Browning, Grace Cangialosi, Linda Duncan, Brian Duncan, Ellen Early, Jane Smith
Recruitment and Selection Committee
Purpose: To ensure that there is an adequate pool of applicants for ORMN’s basic training class.
Responsibility: To find and recruit new candidates for membership.
Chair: DeeDee Lyon, MaryFrancis leMat
Members: Marie Riedel, Carolyn Strand, Sandra Suty
VMN-VMS Coordinator
Purpose: To manage the ORMN portion of the Virginia Master Naturalist Management System.
Responsibility: Administer the ORMN portion of the Virginia Master Naturalist-Volunteer Management System (VMN-VMS)
Chair: Dera Cooper
Members: Alex Bueno, Rhonda Foster, Dana Squire
chapter contacts
Basic Training Program - Bonnie Beers
Continuing Education - Bill Birkhofer and Jeff Smith
Membership Data - Dana Squire
Newsletter - Charlene Uhl and Bonnie Beers
Online Communications
ORMN Website - Jeff Stehm
ORMN Facebook Page - Jack Price
ORMN Google Group List - Mary O'Meara
Recruitment - Dee Dee Lyons
Volunteer Projects - Carolyn Smith and Kathleen Aucoin
Continuing Education - Bill Birkhofer and Jeff Smith
Membership Data - Dana Squire
Newsletter - Charlene Uhl and Bonnie Beers
Online Communications
ORMN Website - Jeff Stehm
ORMN Facebook Page - Jack Price
ORMN Google Group List - Mary O'Meara
Recruitment - Dee Dee Lyons
Volunteer Projects - Carolyn Smith and Kathleen Aucoin
For more information on Master Naturalists, check out:
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