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 (Union County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with volunteer leader trainings, organizational leaders, project trainings for leaders, recruitment, etc.

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 Union 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

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; senior 4-H members; and 4-H agents and paraprofessionals. Actions: • Begin University mandated screening process in October 2006 for adult 4-H leaders.

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 Union Counyt/New Mexico 4-H Leader. 2. By April of each year, 100% of new organizational club leaders will be offered an orientation and initial education lessons,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. 4. By September 30 of each year, 15% of adult 4-H volunteers will participate in at least one leader education program during the 4-H program year, resulting in increased volunteer satisfaction and knowledge gain as reported by agents.

Medium-Term Objectives

6. By spring of 2010 the Western Region 4-H Leaders’ Forum will be conducted in New Mexico. 7. By the 2010-2011 4-H program year there will be a 3% increase from the 2007-2008 program year of 4-H volunteers recruited, screened, and enrolled in the county. 8. 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.

Long-Term Objectives

12. 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. 13. Union County will have representation at the NM 4-H Leaders Forum and at the Western Region 4-H Leaders Forum.

Evaluation Plan

The number of volunteers leaders who are retained from year to year will be the evaluation tool. The Advisory committee for 4-H will evaluate the adult leader training on a yearly basis and make changes as needed.