doing big things when you are small- michael hawkins
TRANSCRIPT
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
“Hi Catherine, I'm writing to congratulate you and your staff on a fantastic job of organizing and carrying out today's planting. I must
admit that when I saw how many people had gathered, I thought there was no way to avoid total chaos. In fact, however, things ran
very smoothly, and all your people were not only knowledgeable, but also very friendly and helpful. In short, it was educational, satisfying,
and fun, and I'm sure everyone there will volunteer again.”– Community Leader and Volunteer
Doing Big Things When You’re Small
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Doing Big Things
“Michael, welcome to Canopy, we just got a massive state grant to plant 1,000 trees.”
- Canopy’s Director just after hiring me
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
When You’re Small
“Wow, I thought Canopy had like 30 employees.”
- Volunteer
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Get Organized
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
• Willow Oaks School Planting 3/29/2014 93 trees
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
• Pistachia chinensis Chinese Pistache
• Quercus engelmanii Engelman Oak
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
• Jack Farrell Park Before • Jack Farrell Park After
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Tools
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
ToolsTarps Buckets Good Kid
Gloves
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
more ToolsDirectional Signs Root Picks Branded Vests
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Tools
Auger
Tree Moving Hook
Big Green Digging Bar
Baby Food Jars
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Good Kid Shovels
more tools
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Tools
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Building a Volunteer Planting Program
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Build Relationships at all levels w/ Partners Receiving the Trees
• Check in often• Listen to their needs and
wants• Have some face time• Physical change makes
things “real”
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Find Above Average Tree Expertise
• We can and have to do better than the industry average
• Few people really know how to design large tree plantings
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Use and Learn Irrigation Systems
• Also, shop at irrigation stores• ACE Account
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Recruit and Train a Corps of Competent Planting Leaders
• Quality control• Volunteer Experience• Efficiency
• Planting Leader Training• Expectations • Regularity• Attrition
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Have Confidence Your Paycheck Will Clear
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Planting Day
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Planting Day Tips• Arrive ridiculously early• Get people “in the know”• Assign whole
responsibilities• Train the trainers • PL Pow wow
• Don’t plan on actually doing anything!
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
More Planting Day Tips
• Have Trees delivered early• 1:1 volunteer to tree ratio• PLs check when trees go in • Have back up tools• Cooking show method• The power of moving mulch• Deliver water, granola bars,
and sunblock• Don’t plant in a downpour
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Even More Planting Day Tips
• Flagging trick• Assign teams• Some scarcity of
tools is good for QC• Assign and name
planting teams
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
A Little on Tree Care• Take on the first
watering!• Hand off care when
appropriate• Tree planters
= tree stewards• Don’t fall behind on
pruning
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Expanding Capacity
• 2 shift plantings• Youth
employment program (TUFs)
• Intern programs• Don’t plant 200
trees on one day
• Michael Hawkins – Canopy Doing Big Things When You’re Small
Questions?