Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development

Adult volunteers are essential to the success of the 4-H Youth Development program in Valencia County. These leaders provide their knowledge and guidance to youth and aid in the development of the important life skills 4-H promotes. These leaders also provide support and guidance to the 4-H Agent. 4-H volunteer leaders must be recruited, screened, selected, oriented, trained, supervised, evaluated and recognized for a sustaining volunteer program. Increased retention of volunteers is a challenge.

Each year, potential new 4-H volunteer adult leaders will complete the application and screening form for processing before being enrolled as a New Mexico 4-H Leader. New organizational club leaders will be offered an orientation, provided a copy of the “4-H Policies and Procedures Handbook”, provided a copy of the “Club Leaders’ Handbook”, will understand 4-H enrollment procedures for Valencia County, and understand the communication linkage to Valencia County Cooperative Extension Office and other 4-H volunteers, resulting in an involved 4-H club membership. Adult 4-H volunteers will participate in at least one leader education program during the 4-H program year, resulting in increased volunteer satisfaction and knowledge gain as reported by agents. 4-H volunteer leaders will attend the annual New Mexico 4-H Forum for Adults.

Enrollment:
37 adult volunteer leaders were recruited, completed the screening process and enrolled as new county leaders. This was a 105% increase from the previous year. Additionally, 78 adult volunteer leaders reenrolled in the program resulting in a 34% increase from the previous year. Total enrollment for the current year was 115 adult volunteer leaders, a 51% increase from the 2008-2009 program year.

Recruitment Efforts:
The Agent presented a New Parent Orientation for all first year parents. Participants received information on the Cooperative Extension Service, office staff, the leader enrollment process, opportunities for youth and adults, and information on helping their children make it through the first year of 4-H. Two seasoned 4-H parents attended the orientation to provide their insight into the program. 11 new parents attended the training and 4 (36%) of those enrolled as leaders in the county.

The Agent contributes articles and information about the 4-H program to the bi-monthly Valencia County e-Newsletter. The agent uses this avenue to inform and recruit potential new volunteers to the program. This newsletter is distributed to a minimum of 250 Valencia County residents.

Leader Trainings:
One project leader training was presented to new and returning project leaders in the county. 15 adult volunteer leaders attended the training. Participants in the training learned about their roles and responsibilities as a project leader which included signing up as the leader, getting started, how to hold project meetings, teaching techniques and activities to incorporate into the meetings, and ways to secure information and resources for projects, as well as information on getting the 4-H’ers motivated. The Agent created a booklet of the information presented for the attendees. The leaders that attended the training liked the information that was presented and felt the booklet was a useful guide for them to use in their meetings.

Four adult volunteer leaders attended the Western Region Leaders Forum in Albuquerque. This event served as the New Mexico 4-H Forum for Adults. The leaders attending this event received information on a wide variety of subjects including communication, project information, engaging youth, and much more. Two of the leaders attending served on planning committees for the event. The leaders returning to the event for a third year recruited two new leaders to attend with them. All of the leaders who attended the event personally expressed how rewarding the forum was and how much they enjoyed learning new information and ideas to bring back to their clubs.

County Club Review & Orientation:
County Club Reviews were conducted with all of the Organizational Club Leaders in Valencia County to evaluate the progress of their club over the previous 4-H year. This evaluation is used to help Club Leaders discuss issues the club may have and explore ways to improve communication, youth and parent involvement, and member retention. The Agent prepared and presented a guide for leaders to increase understanding and knowledge of expectations and deadlines for the year. The Agent also handed out and went over the current “4-H Policies and Procedures” manual.

Three leaders took over existing 4-H Clubs and therefore went through a New Leader Orientation with the Agent. This orientation provided these new leaders with information on management of their club, recruiting and retaining leaders, expectations, guidelines, and important dates and deadlines.

WRLF WORKSHOPS

“Bee-zy 4-H” County 4-H Agent collaborated with local beekeeper to present an interactive workshop where 17 participants had an opportunity to learn basic beekeeping and entrepreneur opportunities for 4-H youth through the beekeeping project.

“Let’s Go Fishing” a hands-on workshop presented by County 4-H Agent and NMDG&F instructor that takes youth and leaders on a journey that includes the old time favorites of fishing. 18 Participants learned to bait, tie lures and fly fishing skills while fishing at a city park. Participants had an opportunity to develop an action plan for their region’s 4-H groups and establish strategies for partnerships with their state’s Department of Game & Fish. 75% of the participants gained knowledge and stated the information presented was very useful.

“Horsing Around” County Agent and local equine breeder presented a workshop that gave participants an opportunity to ask the same questions that 4-H youth ask about horses. 10 Participants learned about horse care, equine nutrition, small pasture management, principles of reproduction and health & sanitation principles.

“4-H on a Shoestring” County 4-H Agent and club leader presented some of the problems and solutions for reaching out to disadvantaged youth while accomplishing a variety of 4-H activities “on a shoestring.” Workshop offered low-cost educational activities, alternative moods of communication where phone, internet serves is limited and establishing partnerships with local governmental agencies and producers. 88% of the 22 participants stated the information presented was very useful. An Arizona leader stated, “The livestock contract is exactly what we need to get more Native American youth to participate in the livestock project.”

VOLUNTEER LEADER DEVELOPMENT
The success of Sandoval County 4-H is due to the dedication and support of the volunteers. These volunteers serve in the capacity of organizational leaders, project leaders, superintendents and advisors. The 4-H Agent and County Extension Staff provide continued support to these leaders on a daily basis.

10 adult volunteer leaders completed the screening process and enrolled as leaders in Sandoval County.

10 volunteer leaders, 7 teen leaders and 4-H Agents attended and assisited with the 2009 WRLF. All Sandoval County participants reported an increase in knowledge and skills related to their clubs and the information presented was beneficial to make them better leaders for the youth they serve.

15 adult volunteer leaders and parents attended a workshop designed to assist adults to better train 4-H members in participating and competing in contests. A CD with all contest requirements, resources and sample contests was provided to each attendant. 100% of adults reported an increase in knowledge related to county, district and state judging contests.

WRLF WORKSHOPS

“Bee-zy 4-H” County 4-H Agent collaborated with local beekeeper to present an interactive workshop where 17 participants had an opportunity to learn basic beekeeping and entrepreneur opportunities for 4-H youth through the beekeeping project.

“Let’s Go Fishing” a hands-on workshop presented by County 4-H Agent and NMDG&F instructor that takes youth and leaders on a journey that includes the old time favorites of fishing. 18 Participants learned to bait, tie lures and fly fishing skills while fishing at a city park. Participants had an opportunity to develop an action plan for their region’s 4-H groups and establish strategies for partnerships with their state’s Department of Game & Fish. 75% of the participants gained knowledge and stated the information presented was very useful.

“Horsing Around” County Agent and local equine breeder presented a workshop that gave participants an opportunity to ask the same questions that 4-H youth ask about horses. 10 Participants learned about horse care, equine nutrition, small pasture management, principles of reproduction and health & sanitation principles.

“4-H on a Shoestring” County 4-H Agent and club leader presented some of the problems and solutions for reaching out to disadvantaged youth while accomplishing a variety of 4-H activities “on a shoestring.” Workshop offered low-cost educational activities, alternative moods of communication where phone, internet serves is limited and establishing partnerships with local governmental agencies and producers. 88% of the 22 participants stated the information presented was very useful. An Arizona leader stated, “The livestock contract is exactly what we need to get more Native American youth to participate in the livestock project.”

The volunteer leaders have done an outstanding job in 2009-2010 year.

Several club leaders volunteered their time this past spring to assist the 4-H agent in counducting project workshops. Workshops were conducted for Leathercraft, Dairy, Consumer Decision Making, Livestock, Horse, and Livestock Skillathon judging.Over 80 4-H members attended the workshops.

New parents and leaders attende the "Welcome to NM 4-H" workshop with their kids. They were able to get one-on-one attention to learn the details of the 4-H year in Quay County. This workshop provided a more indepth look at the overall 4-H program. 11 new leaders attended.

Several volunteers have conducted project meetings which resulted in over 30 indoor project articles exhibited at the Quay County Fair and over 25 articles exhibited at the New Mexico State fair. Many of the 4-Hers received 1st place awards at the State Fair.

The leaders meeting was held in January 2009. The volunteer leaders and the 4-H Agent will be planning the 2010-2011 4-H year events and activities.

The leaders assisted with county wide workshops, county contest, County awards program, and county fair BBQ.