Volunteering with Reiman Gardens

Activity Description

Floral Design Program Assistants support the floral design instructor: State Fair Master Floral Judge, Sandy Gossman. Assistants welcome attendees, facilitate the program, and learn the art of floral design in the process. When enough materials are available, Program Assistants may be able to create their own floral design.

Floral Design is a monthly, paid course with up to 15 attendees/course. Courses are held the third Tuesday of each month from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Floral Design Program Assistant Schedule

• 5:30 p.m.: Prepare Classroom and materials
• 5:50 p.m.: Greet guests at front desk and bring them to the Classroom
• 6:00 p.m.: Introduce the instructor and welcome guests to the class
• 6:00-7:00 p.m.: pass out materials, support instructor and attendees, create your own floral design (if enough materials)
• 6:55 p.m.: Thank instructor and guests, introduce evaluations to attendees
• 7:00 p.m.: Clean up Classroom

Activity Instructions

• Arrive 30 minutes before each class to prepare materials. Sign into Better Impact under Floral Design - Program Assistant upon arrival.
• Greet guests at the front desk and direct/lead them to the Classroom.
• When class starts, introduce the floral design instructor and welcome guests to the class.
• Pass out materials as instructed.
• Encourage and help attendees as they work.
• If enough materials are available, floral design assistant can also learn and create an arrangement as well.
• At the end of class, thank the floral design instructor and guests.
• Facilitate evaluations before guests leave.
• Clean up the Classroom after guests have departed.
• Sign out of Better Impact before leaving.

2026 Dates & Topics

• January 20: Grocer's Roses
• February 17: Floral Flurries
• March 17: Green Goodness
• April 21: Fairy Garden Tea Cups (2 tea cups)
• May 19: Tropic Like It's Hot
• June 16: Herbal Centerpieces (oasis)
• July 21:Miniature Masterpieces (vases or oasis)
• August 18: Big Bloom Bunches
• September 15: Colorful Crescents
• October 20: Succulent Pumpkins (pumpkin)
• November 17: Grassy Swags (wire frame)
• December 15: Winter Ikebana (oasis or frogs)

Training/Requirements

If you'd like to support this program, you must first meet with and be trained by the Director of Education, Sara Merritt. Email Kim (khope@iastate.edu) for more information.

An Education Program Host acts as a representative of the Education department in facilitating programs and supporting instructors, usually for adult programs.

• Verify physical setup and supply preparation
• Prepare and serve refreshments if appropriate and available
• Greet instructors and orient them to the space and resources as needed
• Greet program participants and assist them in arriving at the program venue
• Ensure safety and accessibility of program space for duration of program
• Assist instructors with acquiring additional supplies and resources as needed during program duration
• Provide basic AV support (such as hooking up laptops, getting extra cords, turning on and operating projectors, etc.)
• Introduce, distribute, and collect program evaluations to program participants and instructors
• Convey completed evaluations to Education staff as directed
• Assist with cleaning and returning space to agreed-upon state as planned ahead of time with staff
• Share notes on program operations by completing a program evaluation

Staff

Sara Merritt, Director of Education