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 (Taos 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 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

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, and potential adult volunteer leaders will undergo University mandated screening process beginning October 2006. These volunteers will also receive a copy of the revised 4-H Policy and Procedures Handbook annually or as needed. 4-H Specialists will also serve as a resource for leader education, subject matter expertise, and general support. through adult workshops both within and out of the county.

Short-Term Objectives

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. Each year, 100% of new organizational club leaders will be offered an orientation and initial education lessons and provided a copy of 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. Each year, 4-H Specialists will serve as a resource to counties, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at the county level upon request.

Medium-Term Objectives

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 statewide. 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. By October 2010 there will be defined options for how volunteers can be involved in the 4-H program and job descriptions developed to assist in this endeavor. 4-H Specialists will serve as a resource to counties, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at the county level upon request.

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. Each year, 4-H Specialists will serve as a resource to county volunteers, including instructing at 4-H leader education programs delivered at the county level upon request.

Evaluation Plan

Adult Volunteer Workshop evaluations will be conducted at county programs and trainings to measure knowledge gained, usefulness of information and quality of presentation. The County Agent will provide information on leader education conducted in the county and topics addressed. Specific evaluation data will be available from county agent to the State 4-H Office. Annual 4-H Enrollment report will include statistics on adult volunteer leader enrollment.