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Adult Volunteer Leader Development (Colfax County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with volunteer leader trainings, organizational leaders, project training for leaders, recruitment efforts, 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 Colfax 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, and 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 2007 for adult 4-H leaders. 2. Develop 4-H Leader Association in Colfax County to support various 4-H efforts. 3. Utilize 4-H volunteer recruitment packets aimed at not only recruitment, but also retention. 4. Encourage leaders in Colfax County to attend the New Mexico 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 4-H Leader. 2. By April 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”, 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. A Leaders group will be formed and will meet twice a year to address any concerns that may have risen throughout the previous six months.4. On a yearly basis, the 4-H agent will serve as a guide for the clubs, 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 2007-2008 year. By October 2010 there will be defined options for how volunteers can be involved in the 4-H program. 4-H Specialists will be used for assistance at 4-H leader enrichment programs delivered by Colfax County Extension staff.

Long-Term Objectives

Volunteers assist the Colfax County 4-H program 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 enriched 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 Colfax County situations. The use of the Colfax County 4-H advisory committee will assist in the evaluation of the 4-H program.