Membership Process

Attend monthly meetings (second Monday, March–October, 6–7:30 PM) and introduce yourself. As a Sprout, log 8 volunteer hours with a mentor and join a committee. Apply to become a Sapling; if accepted, pay $75 dues and get a key. After a year in good standing, become a full member with voting rights.

A garden member greeting visitors at an event.

Becoming a Friend of the Garden

The first step to becoming a member is meeting our existing members. We have a required monthly membership meeting on the second Monday of every month between March and October from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. We discuss important garden decisions. Ask to be added to the agenda so you can introduce yourself to everyone. If you’re interested in becoming a member, fill out an application at https://11th.garden/join. If you don’t have the time to volunteer, you can simply stay a Friend of the Garden.

Becoming a Sprout

Once you’ve introduced yourself to everyone, you can start logging your volunteer hours. You should be added to the Garden Members spreadsheet where you can track your hours and contact other members. Soon after becoming a Sprout, you should be matched with another member who can help mentor you through membership. We use information from your application to help with this. You should also join one of our four committees and start talking with the committee head. You can find times to volunteer on our calendar: https://11th.garden/calendar. Times marked “Open Hours - Name” are the most likely times someone will have the garden open. You can do things like sweeping and watering (don’t water plants in direct sunlight). The member present may direct you, but may not. The most important thing is that they help you log your volunteer hours on paper and vouch for the work that you did. You’ll need to keep coming to our monthly meeting and accumulate 8 volunteer hours.

Becoming a Sapling

When you’ve volunteered 8 hours and at least a month has passed, you’re eligible to become a New Member (Sapling). You should have also learned how to open the garden with your mentor or another member. Ask to be added to the agenda of the next member meeting and you’ll have an opportunity to make your case for being a member. You’ll want to describe how you’ve already helped the garden, how you’re confident in the responsibility of keeping the garden open, and how you want to help in the future. The membership will then vote. If you are voted in, you will receive a key to the garden and sign up for a time to keep the garden open that month. After the meeting, you should complete the New Member Checklist. Your dues will be collected at this meeting so you should bring $75 in cash (or $37.50 if it’s between October and March). If you have a financial hardship and this is unreasonable for you, please reach out to team@11th.garden.

Becoming a Full Member

In order to become a full member and vote, you need to be in good standing for a year. You must become a full member within 2 years or be removed from the garden. You should ensure that you take care of all of your Member Responsibilities.