Adult Volunteer Leader Development (Luna County)

Following the steps and worksheets provided by 4-H/’Everyone Ready’, volunteer activity improved in the indoor exhibit building during the fair week. Regular volunteers are dependable, but overworked. More help was needed. Extension and two other volunteers met to build a recruitment strategy. Worksheets were completed to determine needs, job descriptions, sources and methods for recruitment. New Recruitments included Youth Council members from the high school who decorated all of the showcases. 4-H and FFA youth helped the last day of fair during entry returns and show case cleanup. Adult leaders were recruited from local fiber arts groups for displaying entries after judging and tallying up entry scores. By using ‘Everyone Ready’ we could present our needs in an organized way so that potential volunteers understood what type of help was needed. The result was less time commitment and less stress for all volunteers. Volunteers have reacted positively to the experience and most plan to help again next year.

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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.

Provided 4-H volunteer orientation to prospective volunteers. Six people attended. Two expressed interest after the program.After scheduled interviews and a discussion with them individually, one decided to volunteer as an assistant while I taught the summer cooking classes. The second person initially felt she would enjoy acting as a project leader. Part of the orientation was to provide the prospective volunteer the opportunity to teach her project to youth with the 4-H agent also in attendance.After a couple of class sessions the volunteer discussed with me her dislike for working with children. By providing volunteers education and experience in the 4-H program, the county has gained a volunteer active in a 4-H capacity that suits her lifestyle. Although not interested in youth programming, the second volunteer is now active in fair volunteer work as an exhibit superintendent and recruiting other volunteers. Through the 4-H orientation process, Luna County gained two valuable volunteers and prevented uncomfortable situations from occurring.

Agents offered training for current leaders. At least one adult leader from each club was required to attend. All clubs at least met the attendance requirement.Improvements in financial reporting and filing from each club and better communication between the office and clubs has occurred. Since the meeting,there was a 50% increase in current leader involvement in our programs.