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 (San Juan County)

Plan Goal

This plan deals with volunteer leader trainings, organizational leaders, project training for leaders, recruitment efforts, and Leaders’ Forum.

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 San Juan 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, 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:
• Begin University mandated screening process in October 2006 for adult 4-H leaders.
• Revise 4-H Policy and Procedures Handbook annually or as needed, and post on website.
• Utilize 4-H Specialists as a resource to counties for leader education, subject matter expertise, and general support
• Develop 4-H leader lessons for web site to support leader education from a distance

Short-Term Objectives

• New potential 4-H volunteer adult leaders will complete the application and screening form for processing before being enrolled as a San Juan County 4-H Leader.
• By April of each year, 100% of new organizational club leaders will be offered an orientation and initial education lessons.
• 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.
• 4-H Specialists will serve as a resource to the county by instructing at 4-H leader education programs as requested.
• Provide each new 4-H leader/volunteer with new project curriculum, contest, and other training as needed.

Medium-Term Objectives

• Increase the number of adult leader volunteers in the San Juan County 4-H Youth Development Program.
• 4-H volunteer leaders will develop positive learning environments and a variety of educational experiences that will allow 4-H youth to develop important life and subject matter skills.
• 4-H volunteer leaders will utilize 4-H curriculum and activities to provide knowledge and skill to youth allowing them to develop life skills, practical knowledge, encouragement, motivation, and social skills.
• 4-H volunteer leaders will understand the responsibilities of 4-H volunteers and become successful club organizational leaders, club project leaders, county-wide project leaders and 4-H activity leaders.

Long-Term Objectives

• Increase the number of adult volunteer leaders in the San Juan County 4-H program.
• San Juan County will have representation at the annual NM 4-H Leaders’ Forum.
• San Juan County 4-H Leaders’ organization will maintain its role in providing a forum for interaction among adult leader volunteers.
• 4-H volunteer leaders will utilize 4-H curriculum and activities to provide knowledge and skill to youth allowing them to develop life skills, practical knowledge, encouragement, motivation, and social skills.

Evaluation Plan

Evaluations will conducted at county level by 4-H agent to measure knowledge gained, usefulness of information and quality of presentation.