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Adult Volunteer Leader Development (Grant 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 Grant County 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

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: 1. Begin University mandated screening process in October 2006 for adult 4-H leaders. 2. Provide 4-H Leader trainings in Grant County. 3. Utilize 4-H volunteer recruitment packets aimed at not only recruitment, but also retention. 4. Encourage leaders in Grant County to attend the New Mexico Leaders Forum or the Western Region 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 (Grant Co.) 4-H Leader. 2. By March of each year, 100% of new organizational club leaders will be offered an orientation, 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, 90% 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. 4. On a yearly basis, the 4-H agent will serve as a guide for the clubs, form a Leaders Association, and facilitate leader enrichment programs for the county.

Medium-Term Objectives

By the 2009-2010 4-H program year there will be a 3% increase in the retention rate of first year 4-H club leaders from the 2006-2007 year. 9. By October 2009 there will be defined options for how volunteers can be involved in the 4-H program with 8 job descriptions developed to aid in this process. 4-H Specialists will be used for assistance at 4-H leader enrichment programs delivered by Grant County Extension staff.

Long-Term Objectives

Volunteers assist the Grant County 4-H progam by donating countless hours towards assisting youth in achieving goals. With the addition of new 4-H literature for projects and activities, outreach to under-served youth audiences, and the development of unpaid and paid 4-H staff will be enhanced by such volunteers.

Evaluation Plan

The 4-H agent will conduct evaluations at the county level to assess knowledge attained, usefulness of information, and relevance to Grant County situations. The use of the Grant County 4-H advisory committee will assist in the evaluation of the 4-H program.