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Adult 4-H Volunteer Leader Development (Torrance County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with volunteer leader trainings, organizational leaders, project training for leaders, recruitment efforts, Leaders' Forum; anything related to ADULT volunteers.

Situation Statement

Adult volunteers provide a significant amount of direct contact with 4-H youth and are essential partners in the 4-H Youth Development Program for maintaining and expanding the Torrance County 4-H program. 4-H volunteer leaders will be recruited, screened, selected, oriented, trained, supervised, evaluated and recognized for a sustaining volunteer program. Increased retention of volunteers is a challenge. Adult leaders need options of how and when to be involved, as their priorities regarding volunteer, personal and work commitments change over time. Volunteer leaders need orientation and education about the organizational structure of 4-H, 4-H delivery modes, affirmative action, youth protection, risk management, enrollment procedures, youth protection, working with youth, leadership styles, leadership roles, 4-H projects, and local, state, national and international 4-H opportunities.

Target Audience and Actions

Adult Leaders who are 19 years of age by January 1 of the current 4-H year and not enrolled as a 4-H member; potential adult volunteer leaders; senior 4-H members; and 4-H agents and paraprofessionals. Actions: • Begin University mandated screening process in October 2006 for adult 4-H leaders. • Revise 4-H Policy and Procedures Handbook annually or as needed, and post on web site. • 4-H Specialists serve as a resource to counties for leader education, subject matter expertise, and general support. • Develop updates for county leaders Handbook on Volunteer Development. Facilitate planning of countywide adult workshops. Encourage county leaders to attend NM leaders forum.

Short-Term Objectives

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. 2. By the last working day of February of each year, 100% of new organizational club leaders will be offered an orientation and initial education lessons (can use 4-H web site lessons or the “Welcome To The World of 4-H video”), provided a copy of or the web link to the “4-H Policies and Procedures Handbook”, provided a copy of the “Club Leaders’ Handbook”, and will understand 4-H enrollment procedures and the communication linkage to county office and other 4-H volunteers, resulting in an involved 4-H club membership. 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. 5. Each year, 4-H Agent will serve as a resource to clubs, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at county level.

Medium-Term Objectives

By the October 2010-2011 4-H program year there will be a 3% increase in the retention rate of first year 4-H club leaders from the 2007-2008 program year. 9. By October 2010 there will be defined options for how volunteers can be involved in the 4-H program and at least 10 job descriptions developed to assist in this endeavor. 4-H Specialists will utilized as a resource in Torrance county, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at county level.

Long-Term Objectives

The addition of new 4-H projects or activities, outreach to under-served youth audiences, and the on-going development of unpaid and paid 4-H faculty/staff will be enhanced by the empowerment of volunteers.

Evaluation Plan

Evaluations will conducted at county level by 4-H agent to measure knowledge gained, usefulness of information and quality of presentation.

With the use of 4-H advisory committee, assists in the evaluation of the 4-H program.