The California Native Plant Society only thrives because of our volunteers and the broad community of people that care about our shared mission to preserve and enhance native habitats. Thank you!

Welcome to the Volunteer Resources page for the 2024 Fall Plant Sale. If your questions aren’t answered here, please reach out to the Plant Sale Committee Team Member leading the multiple aspects it takes to make the sale a success.

DIRECTORY:

General questions about the sale: plantsale@cnpssd.org

General Committee (All members): plantsalecommittee@cnpssd.org

Logistics, Site planning, & Director management: Justin Daniel – justin.daniel@cnpssd.org

Volunteer Coordinator – Jasmine Duran – jasmine.duran@cnpssd.org

PR Assets and Outreach Resources – Kera Heimlich – kera.heimlich@cnpssd.org

Educational Resources & Plant Signage: mary.kiss@cnpssd.org

Volunteer Rights & Voice concerns to the ten members of the San Diego Chapter Board: board@cnpssd.org or Cindy Burrascano – cindy.burrascano@cnpssd.org

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH – SET UP DAY (uNLOADING PLANTS)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH – PLANT SALE DAY

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20TH – TEAR DOWN DAY (MOVE LEFTOVER STOCK)

TOOLS & TRAINING PROVIDED

CNPS APRON & ROLE BADGE

The loan of a Bright green apron & Volunteer role badge (to be returned at the volunteer tent after your shift)

TICKET BOOKS & PENS (TICKET WRITERS)

Tally sheets & Required Training in use of the booklets

POINT OF SERVICE FOBS (CASHIERS ONLY)

These work with iPhone or Android, but not both. Training Required and permissions needed to use your personal phones on day of sale. Other Point of Service machines provided at Cashier tent (POS Terminals are limited).

YOU PROVIDE or MAY DONATE USE

GLOVES, BOOTS & SUN PROTECTION

We may be able to provide extras, but these are in limited supply and shared among many people. Closed toed shoes / boots are necessary – we are having the sale in a field and your footwear will get dusty and / or muddy.

HOMEMADE SNACKS & GIFTS

Some volunteers bring goodies and for that we thank you! Please label the items clearly, especially for any allergens such as wheat, nuts, dairy, or shallfish. Please don’t bring items that require refrigeration to share.

PLANT CARTS

If you are willing to let patrons use your plant carts, we are very thankful for the extra help! Please label your carts clearly with your name and contact info. Air tags or similar GPS device may be a worthwhile investment, though stolen carts are very rare.

COURTESY AND RETAIL PATIENCE

Your cheerful personality, passion for the environment and knowledge is the best part of the sale for many. We always remember the places where we’ve had bad service or experiences. We’re all going through our own life challenges, thank you for your understanding and for being a positive part of the time we are sharing with each other.

PARTNERS & VENDORS SECTION – SATURDAY CHECK IN – NO LATER THAN 8AM

AT ARRIVAL, PARK WHERE DESIGNATED. AVOID PARKING IN MAIN LOT – ADA CONSIDERATIONS ARE AVAILABLE – REACH OUT BELOW.

Unload materials at unloading / loading area as directed. VENDORS all park in the Vendor parking near main entrance unless otherwise coordinated. Follow signage and Check in at WELCOME TENT.

Partner plant orders may be picked up Friday Afternoon, Saturday afternoon, or Sunday morning.

Please Coordinate with justin.daniel@cnpssd.org for any special provisions beforehand.

Give aways, raffles, sellable items, promotions, etc.

No problem with us as long as you are not selling the same types of plants we are selling. You may tap into the park wifi by checking in at the Welcome Tent. Please provide clear signage and coordinate before the sale with justin.daniel@cnpssd.org if making any type of public announcements.

Thank you!

VOLUNTEER ROLES – FRIDAY MORNING – CHECK IN 7AM

UNLOADING & SORTING

As plants come off the trucks, they must be placed behind the signs equating to their scientific name, which is alphabetical by genus, then species. For plants that do not have a sign, these are meant for PRE-ORDERS and these will be set aside in the PRE-ORDER Area.

SIGNAGE PLACEMENT

Signs need to be hung and placed for the Saturday sale. Maps will be provided correlating the signs with their placement.

CANOPIES & TABLES & CHAIRS

While we are planning to have contract services provide a few canopies, tables, trash, green waste, and recyclable bins, we will need help putting up our own equipment.

FRIDAY LUNCH

CostCo pizza as thanks for volunteers choice of pepperoni or cheese. Fresh water for thermos and bottled. Morning snacks and beverages provided. If this does nor work for you, please bring your own lunch.

VOLUNTEER ROLES – FRIDAY AFTERNOON – CHECK IN 11AM

SORTING PRE-ORDERS & SALES FLOOR

Pre-Orders are flagged and pieced together and placed in the limited access section. Training provided over lunch. Straightening the sales floor and setting up the grouped plant displays. Watering the plants by hand, final quality check before sale.

VOUNTEER ROLES – SATURDAY – CHECK IN 7AM

TICKET WRITING

When patrons select their plants from the main floor or Pre-Orders and are ready to pick up and pay, Ticket Writers facilitate the check out process. Ticket Writers count the plants and ensure the prices and counts are accurate. Ticket Writers must go through a mandatory training so CNPS members get recognized and the tickets are filled out correctly. Training is scheduled for a lunch session on a single day of your choice: October 4th or 5th.

CASHIER SALES (PLANTS, SEEDS, BOOKS / MERCH)

Cashiers ensure the check out process for payment runs smoothly. Experience with standard Point of Service transactions, cash counting, ensuring standards for accepting checks, and dealing with the odd issue or question is a must. Training (and re-training) required following Ticket Writing lunch sessions as above.

EXPERTS & GENERAL HELP

Calling CNPS members with extraordinary experience, especially professional insights, we are glad to have you share your knowledge with everyone. Advocating your business to customers is ok with appropriate transparency – we have vendors doing the same.

TRAFFIC CONTROL & CART RUNNING

Directing traffic and taking carts back to the sale are important to helping keep a smooth and pleasant operation. Some need help, others just appreciate the gesture and convenience to the offer. Being available and friendly is your superpower

40% OFF For New Members on First Year

NURSERY ORDER PLANT LIST (pdf file)

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS

While volunteering’s largest reward is being part of a coordinated effort to expand habitat to re-wild our domestic spaces and making sure the mission of the California Native Plant Society is held with esteem and respected, we want to see all our volunteers supported in turn.

 

AUTOMATIC DISCOUNT ON ALL PLANT ORDERS CNPS Members, partners, vendors, and volunteers will get the 10% discount for all plant purchases for this event. To incentivize membership, we are providing a 40% discount incentive for joining for the first time (see QR code at left).

ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER PERKS: (10/3/24)

Volunteers and partners all are entitled to our free snacks, water, and morning confectionaries while supplies last.

Veteran volunteers and those performing more than one shift (tagging days included) will receive a thank you package for going above and beyond to help make the sale great!

Remainder plants at reduced cost or as thank you gifts as we see what is leftover on Saturday afternoon.

PRE-ORDERS

ACCESS TO PRE-ORDER SYSTEM (NOW CLOSED) We want to make sure that volunteers can pre-order and get access to plants without having to shop before or during their volunteer shift(s). Pre-orders also offer access to Pre-order only plants that will not be part of the sales floor inventory, but can be ordered at wholesale prices. This doesn’t mean we will get 100% of our orders, and some many not meet your standards. See below for the process.

Download and fill out the Pre-Order Plant Form (excel sheet link) or use the .pdf Form HERE (does not calculate prices, but does provide other info). The “x” in the first column denotes Plant selections that are only available through Pre-Orders.

Return the completed form with selections and contact information filled out to justin.daniel@cnpssd.org by Midnight Sunday, Sept 08

All Pre-Order sheets will be tallied and added to the nursery orders and we’ll cross our fingers they can be delivered. Update on all orders as large nursery orders are confirmed.

On FRIDAY, Oct 18 afternoon we’ll begin to fill the pre-orders. You may pick the plants for your pre-order and inspect them but must check in at the VOLUNTEER STATION before doing so. You may reject plants that don’t meet your standards.

You may purchase your Pre-orders from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, but if you do not show up for your shift, your order will be placed on the sales floor. Please reach out if this is likely.

REFRESHMENTS & SNACKS Please visit the Volunteer station to select from a range of snacks and cold water provided for free while supplies last. The Volunteer station will also have very basic first aid and shade or rest in. Every volunteer should feel at their best to provide a lovely experience for all!

FINAL SITE MAP (Click for larger file)

SATURDAY LUNCH, PARKING, & STORAGE

LUNCH OPTIONS Two food truck vendors ( The Go Go Truck & Underdog ) have been planned to be available on Saturday, October 19th. You will be able to make an order food from them and get a wide range of options provided, including vegan options!

CNPS will not provide volunteer lunches for this plant sale, except on Friday, due to the plastic and food waste generated and the logistics issues placed on our Hospitality crew in previous years. Please bring your own lunch if have specific dietary restrictions or preferences.

PARKING & RIDESHARE Volunteers with mobility issues and ADA placards or plates are invited to park in the available ADA spaces provided in the main parking lot. Please let us know if you plan to use these spaces so we can adjust and provide more to the public.

All other volunteers are encouraged to park along Sunset Dr on Saturday (Day of Sale), and in the main lot on Friday (Set Up) and in the main lot on Sunday. Overflow parking is at WestField JC Penny Parking lot approx 1/3 mile across E Via Rancho Pkwy. Carpooling is encouraged if possible.

SORRY, No shuttle or Delivery Service. DO NOT PARK IN THE TRAILHEAD PARKING LOT OR GOLF CENTER LOTS AS SIGNED, THANKS!

PERSONAL ITEM STORAGE It is not advised to bring valuables other than basic wallet and gloves / carts. However for those that do not wish to carry your backpacks, purses, lunch bags, or other bulky storage items, the Volunteer Station will have bins restricted to volunteers only. A coordinator will be available to resolve issues at this station. That does not guarantee 100% security and while we have had few problems in the past, we can not insure loss of bags or items. The Volunteer Station tent is also the site of the sales Lost and Found. Sikes Adobe Staff may offer other options as they see fit.