Adult Volunteer Leader Development (Grant County)

Short Term Objectives
Objective #1:
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.
Accomplishments
Over 555 new adult volunteers successfully completed the screening process and 445 of them enrolled as leaders in 25 counties. 1610 adult volunteer leaders re-enrolled as 4-H Club Leaders for a total of 2,055 enrolled adult volunteer leaders.

Objective #2
By April of each year, 100% of new organizational club leaders will be offered an orientation and initial education lessons, provided a copy or the web link to the “4-H Policies and Procedures Handbook”, provided a copy of the “Club Leaders
Handbook”, and will understand the 4-H enrollment procedures and the communication linkage to county office and other 4-H volunteers, resulting in an involved 4-H club membership.
Accomplishments
• Seven counties (21%) conducted an orientation or an organizational leader training for volunteer leaders, increasing knowledge and skills related to organizing meetings, project planning, child development, reporting child abuse, 4-H opportunities, training opportunities, etc.

Objective #3
By September 15 of each year, 100% of new special interest and school enrichment key group leaders will be offered an orientation about their role, responsibilities and enrollment procedures, resulting in youth actively learning and having fun.
Accomplishments
• 24 counties (73%) trained and utilized volunteers in conducting special interest programs to reach over 19,861 youth.
• 25 counties (76%) trained and utilized volunteers and school personnel in conducting school enrichment programs to reach over 31,991 youth.

Objective #4
By September 30 of each year, 15% of adult 4-H volunteers will participate in at least one education program during the 4-H program year, resulting in increased volunteer satisfaction and knowledge gain as reported by agents.
Accomplishments
• 17 counties (52%) reported that leader education was provided to club and project leaders. Volunteers gained knowledge and skills related to positive youth development, new projects, meeting procedures including parliamentary procedure, record keeping, communication, leadership, youth activities, volunteer roles, active teaching methods, project specific topics, special interest and school enrichment programs, enrollment and ownership deadlines, insurance and liability issues, policy and procedures, and EIN.
• 78 new shooting sports leaders attended the statewide shooting sports training receiving education in one of three shooting sports disciplines.
• 81 adult volunteer leaders attended the NM 4-H Livestock School gaining knowledge and skills related to animal science, showmanship, grooming/fitting, animal nutrition, animal first aid and ethics.
• 35 adults participated in a Judging Clinic focusing on Livestock, Horse and Wool judging skills.
• 12 adult volunteer leaders participated in the 2010 New Mexico 4-H Home Economics School gaining knowledge and skills related to cultural education, record keeping, project planning, service learning and 4-H opportunities.
• 17 counties (52%) had 4-H leaders who participated in the statewide NM 4-H Adult Forum held in November. This was a one-day educational event in 2010 due to hosting the WRLF 2010 in March. It offered 18 workshops, educational displays, a community service project, make & take activities, silent auction, special presentations and time for networking. Leaders gained knowledge and skills related to community service, quilting, technology, learning & behavior styles, involving new parents, servant leadership, risk management, shooting sports, rocketry, hippology, substance abuse prevention, arts & crafts, upcycling, cloverbuds, and leadership.
• 297 participants from 13 states, American Samoa and Alberta, Canada convened in Albuquerque, NM in March 2010 for the Western Regional 4-H Leaders’ Forum. Of the total participant number, 121 were New Mexico volunteer leaders and 4-H personnel from 26 New Mexico counties. WRLF provided 72 workshops, a share fair opening event, educational displays, community service project, make and take activities, special presentations/speakers and opportunities for informal networking with peers.
• 90% of counties utilize electronic and hard-copy newsletters to provide education for adult leaders.
• 2,114 adult volunteers received training.
• 5,397 adults volunteered time and efforts to the New Mexico 4-H Youth Development Program.

Objective#5
4-H Specialists will serve as a resource to counties, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at county, multiple county or district levels upon request.

Accomplishments
• Specialists conducted trainings in 6 counties (18%) in 2009-2010. Topics included:

Teaching Methods Effective Club Meetings
4-H Indoor Exhibits Program Review & Strengthening 4-H
Delegation County Expo Development
Essential Elements of Positive Youth Development

Over 585 volunteer leaders, representing 28% of all enrolled leaders across the State of New Mexico, have gained knowledge and skills related to involving and working with volunteers, having effective club meetings, positive youth development, projects, exhibits, leadership roles, delegation, teaching methods, strengthening programs, shooting sports, contest training, record books, working in special interest and school enrichment delivery modes and new leader orientation topics.

4-H Leaders’ Forum participant evaluations indicate:
• 94% have a better understanding of how to provide an inclusive and safe environment for members.
• 100% will work to create more opportunities for youth to have a relationship with a caring adult.
• 98% have a better understanding of how to engage youth in learning.
• 96% feel they are better able to provide opportunities for participants to prepare them for the future.
• 98% have a better understanding of how they can structure the program which will enable participants to determine things for themselves.
• 96% have a better understanding of how to provide opportunities for participants to value and practice service.
• 98% feel their local 4-H program will be enhanced.
• 98% of participants are re-energized about 4-H.
• 92% are motivated to expand their role in 4-H.

E-Learning Course
• 42 4-H leaders representing 14 counties have completed at least one of the four modules. Comments have been positive regarding this new on-line resource.

This agent has worked with leaders throughout the year to start two 4-H clubs. The first club has been around for many years, with younger groups starting 4-H and seniors graduating out of the program, this club needed new leaders. The family that has taken on the task has spent at least 2 hours a month working on club policy, attendance requirements-enforcement, and general 4-H policy and procedure here at the extension office. The club has reached out to new audiences and is no longer strictly a livestock club. This agent expects for membership in this club to double from its nearly 20 members in 2007.
Due to extensive programming in their school, the Calvary Christian Academy has asked to start a 4-H club in their school. The school is pre-k through 12th grade and does not offer any vocational or agricultural education. Teachers in the school wish to participate as club and project leaders. This agent is working to identify adults in the school with skills that could help them become project leaders. Many teachers/parents will be collaborating in order for this club to reach all areas of 4-H programming. With the addition of these two clubs the county has a total of 11 traditional 4-H clubs.

Justin Armenta has signed on to support Adult Volunteer Leader Development within Grant County.