Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Adult Volunteer Leader Development (Santa Fe County)

Plan Goal

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

Situation Statement

As with most youth development organizations, volunteers are the backbone of the 4-H program. These volunteers served in the capacity of organizational leaders, project leaders, and general support at the club level; and as committee members, county council advisors, and superintendents at the county level. Our county’s current volunteer management approach is typical. Many of our volunteers are identified and selected as parents of 4-H’ers. Any orientation to the program and training for their volunteer role is usually very minimal, most of our volunteers “learn by doing”. Utilization of our volunteers is very high; we often reward good work with more work as a form of recognition. There is currently no formal evaluation process.

Target Audience and Actions

According to the 2000 Census, the total population for Santa Fe County was 129,292. It is predicted that the total population for Santa Fe County will increase to142, 793 by the year 2005 and 157,792 by 2010.
In the 2005-2006 membership year, 2,499 adults provided service with 4-H programming efforts. Of the 2,499, 5% were White, not of Hispanic origin, 1% were American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 94% were Hispanic. Of the 2,499 adults, 395 (approximately 16%) worked with organized 4-H community clubs.
Actions:
Begin University mandated screening process in October 2006 for adult 4-H leaders.
Facilitate planning of adult workshops at bi-annual leadership training.
E-mail will be utilized to send out updates to all organizational leaders.
Computer programs such as Publisher will be utilized to develop monthly newsletters.
The county website will be updated and maintained as a resource for general 4-H information as well as updates on future activities and programs.
A leader evaluation/recognition process will be created and piloted.

Short-Term Objectives

• Each year, new 4-H volunteer leaders will complete the application and screening process before being enrolled as a Santa Fe County 4-H leader.

Medium-Term Objectives

• Provide 4-H volunteers with learning opportunities in club management, including developing a club support system, 4-H policies and procedures, and project content in areas as identified by the volunteers at bi-annual leadership training.

Long-Term Objectives

• A leader evaluation/recognition process will be created, piloted, and implemented in Santa Fe County by the year 2010-2011 membership year.

Evaluation Plan

Formal evaluations will be distributed and collected at the conclusion of all trainings. The leader evaluation/recognition process will be evaluated by a panel of volunteers intermittently and at the conclusion of the pilot program. The number of returned and completed year-end evaluations will be monitored.