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Adult Volunteer Leader Development (Eddy County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with organizational club leaders, project leaders, and leader training for all adult volunteers in Eddy County 4-H Program.

Situation Statement

Adult volunteers provide a significant amount of direct contact with 4-H youth in Eddy County and are essential partners in the 4-H Youth Development Program for maintaining and expanding the Eddy County and New Mexico 4-H program. 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. 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

Audience: 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; and senior age 4-H members.
Actions: • Begin University mandated screening process in October 2006 for adult 4-H leaders. • Review 4-H Policy and Procedures Handbook, County Activities Calendar, and Yearly Goals with volunteers at County Leader Training and Forum meetings. • Agent will serve as a resource for leader education, subject matter expertise, and general support. • Develop 4-H leader lessons for monthly leader newsletter to support leader education from a distance.

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 April of each year, 100% of organizational club leaders will be provided an orientation, giving leaders necessary tools to communicate with club members, adults, and volunteers for the year. 3. By January of each year 100% of organizational club leaders and assistant club leaders will be afforded a monthly newsletter to support leader education from a distance, assisting in youth actively learning and having fun. 4. By June 1st 20% of adult leaders in Eddy County will have participated in at least one education program during the current 4-H program year, resulting in volunteer knowledge gained and satisfaction in working with youth. 5. Each year, 4-H Agent will serve as resource to volunteers in county, including instruction at clubs, education programs, and leaders forums.

Medium-Term Objectives

6. By spring of 2010 there will be a 5% increase of 4-H volunteers in Eddy County from 2007-2008 that have been trained, screened, and are active program volunteers.
7. By spring of 2010 70% of organizational club leaders and project leaders will be attending atleast one leader training or forum in Eddy County.

Long-Term Objectives

8. Agent will serve as a resource for club leaders and volunteers, going from educator to facilitator of 4-H activities.
9. Senior age members will develop and maintain 30% of county wide 4-H activities, serving as leaders and program managers.

Evaluation Plan

Evaluations will include questionnaires after trainings and forums for volunteer leaders. This tool will tell what was most useful and how they think it can be implemented in youth development. Bi-yearly evaluation will be done using group assessment through 4-H Advisory Committee and 4-H Council process. Agent will continue to utilize mail and phone surveys of volunteers asking them to measure information, knowledge gained, and usefulness of information.