Tree Farm Leaders
Committee Management & Volunteer Development
Leadership & Volunteer Manual
AFF provides a Leadership Manual Template to provide guidance for state programs and new volunteers.
There are prompts for state programs to add their respective information, however it may not be necessary to add additional guidance. State programs may be best suited to simply incorporate certain sections into their own existing leadership manuals. The information and recommendations in the manual are intended to equip volunteer leaders with the most relevant and essential information to lead a Tree Farm program.
Stay Connected
Ensuring you’re connected to the right channels is important to stay up to date with relevant information and happenings of the Tree Farm network. Network News and The Family Forest are the two main ways for state program leaders to stay connected with AFF and each other.
Network News is a monthly e-newsletter distributed to all state program volunteers. Information included typically includes key upcoming dates, recent accomplishments or recognitions, and current developments. Fill out this form (via hubspot) to join the distribution list.
The Family Forest is an online community that offers landowners, foresters and advocates the opportunity to build relationships. Tree Farm program administrators and leaders have their own dedicated private space within the platform to post announcements and share information and resources. Click here to join ATFS Leaders in The Family Forest. (AFF staff will approve your entry into the Leaders and Admins forum).
Inspector Training
All ATFS inspectors must have training that is current with the most recent version of the Standards. The easiest way for inspectors to take the training is virtually, through the ATFS Database. Note that inspectors must have current credentials to access the database. Any prospective inspector needing new database access to take the training can contact us at operations@forestfoundation.org with this request.
State programs may also choose to augment virtual training by providing an in-person training option. AFF maintains the following standardized materials to be used in these trainings.
- Inspector training presentation, compressed version (best for viewing)
- Inspector training presentation, large file size (This is a Sharepoint link; please contact operations@forestfoundation.org if you have trouble accessing).
- Inspector training registration form
- Facilitators planning checklist
These may be supplemented by state-specific materials.
Please note that AFF does not provide financial support for in-person inspector trainings.