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Master 4-H Volunteer Program

Master 4-H Volunteer Program. Concept by Matthew J. Miranda County Extension Agent: 4-H and Youth Development- Guadalupe County. Overview of Presentation. Background to the program Why do we need volunteers Existing Volunteers One Time/Potential Volunteers Barriers to Volunteering

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Master 4-H Volunteer Program

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  1. Master 4-H Volunteer Program Concept by Matthew J. Miranda County Extension Agent: 4-H and Youth Development- Guadalupe County

  2. Overview of Presentation • Background to the program • Why do we need volunteers • Existing Volunteers • One Time/Potential Volunteers • Barriers to Volunteering • The Master 4-H Volunteer Program • Future Plans for the Program

  3. Why Do We Need Volunteers? • Volunteers and Adult Leaders are one of the main cornerstones to an 4-H Program • Without well trained 4-H volunteers, 4-H clubs, programs and project meetings would not be possible • In extension, we always state the importance of volunteers but sometimes can’t find the time or the proper curriculum to provide effective volunteer support and training

  4. What is the Need? • Currently in Guadalupe County, there are nearly 37,000 youth • An increase of nearly 15,000 since 2000 • Number of 4-Hers? • In 2011-2012, there were 510 youth enrolled in traditional community clubs • Number of youth enrolled in school enrichment programs? • Approximately 3,500 youth in multiple school districts • Number of 4-H volunteers in the county? • 225 registered and screened

  5. What is the Need? • Many counties have only one or two agents • Some counties share agents as well • Even in counties where there are more agents, the numbers of 4-Hers and leaders are usually higher

  6. What is the Need? • With the sheer number of youth in the state of Texas (nearly 7 million), there are not enough extension professionals to reach every child • Simply put, we as agents cannot exceed or even maintain our current level of assistance without volunteers

  7. Our Existing Volunteers • In 2011-2012, there were over 104,000 volunteers for the 4-H Program in the State of Texas • These volunteers do everything from acting as club managers to running exchange programs, organizing contests and helping in the show barn • While we do have a lot of volunteers, a recurring theme in their comments have to do with training opportunities

  8. Our Existing Volunteers • In 2011, an evaluation was conducted on the members of the Guadalupe County Adult Leaders and Parents Association (ALPA) • 30 parents and adult leaders were asked about the 4-H Program in general • They were also asked about the opportunities for volunteer development and areas that need improvement

  9. Our Existing Volunteers • 85% of the sample said they found themselves “somewhat familiar” with the 4-H program • The middle of the 5 point scale • 90% of the sample said they did not receive enough training as a volunteer when they first joined 4-H • A majority of the respondents indicated they did not feel completely sure they could properly run a 4-H project meeting or help at a curriculum enrichment program with their current training • Even being a leader for more than 3 years

  10. I want to know more of what is expected of a volunteer Testimonials I want to get re-involved in the 4-H Program I’ve been a leader for 13 years and I feel like I still don’t know enough There needs to be better instruction for new and old project leaders I would like to learn about how to teach kids in a 4-H project

  11. Our Existing Volunteers • From this informal evaluation, it was clear that type of training the volunteers needed/wanted was quite different than the current standard • Volunteers are currently trained once a year • Most trainings are basic information on the 4-H program in general and are geared toward new volunteers • Much of it is the same information rehashed directly the volunteer training manual

  12. Volunteers From Outside of 4-H • While we have over 100,000 direct extension volunteers in Texas, there are countless others that help in different ways • One Time Program Volunteers • Community Leaders • Church Leaders • School Leaders • Other Volunteers and Leaders

  13. One Time/ Programmatic Volunteers • These are volunteers that are not in the extension system • They are primarily used for one time programs • Examples include: • Ag Days/ Fairs • Water Fairs • Safety Days • Workshops/ Trainings • Programs at club meetings • Others

  14. Potential Volunteers • They may be volunteers or members in other organizations • Kiwanis, Elks Club, Boy/Girl Scouts, etc • They may be in, or retired from, particular areas of interest • Ag Producers, Photographers, Military, Food Service, Etc • They may have had kids in the 4-H Program that have since graduated • They may be different leaders, officials, teachers or other parents in the community

  15. Barriers to Volunteering • Why don’t people Volunteer? • Lack of time • They believe they won’t be able to make a difference • No one asked them • Why don’t 4-H Volunteers return? • They feel they have been under utilized • They don’t feel they have made a difference • Their kids have left the program • They feel they haven’t had the proper training

  16. So How do We Change This Problem??

  17. The Master 4-H Volunteer Program • SO, what IS a Master 4-H Volunteer ? • This will be a person that is trained in particular areas of 4-H to make them better able serve the needs of the 4-Hers, County Agents and stakeholders • Master 4-H Volunteers will focus on several aspects of the 4-H program including: • Project meeting facilitation (any kind of project) • Project development (any kind of project) • Club Meeting Facilitation • School Enrichment Programs • Recordkeeping • Interpretation and Evaluation • Project Specific Training They are the Superheroes of the 4-H Program!!!

  18. The Master 4-H Volunteer Program • How is this any different from the other Master Volunteer programs? • While there are other Master Volunteer Programs (Livestock, Gardener, Naturalist) this one is geared specifically to 4-H programs, club and project work • These volunteers will be trained in some of the same areas that Extension Agents are trained in • Every volunteer will be screened and cleared by the Texas 4-H Program. • Part of a Cohort (like the Master Gardener Classes)

  19. Primary Goals of the Master 4-H Volunteer Program • To equip volunteers with the proper knowledge base and skill set to effectively assist in the implementation of the 4-H program in Guadalupe County • To prepare volunteers for acting as project leaders, activity leaders and mentors (Livestock and others) • To prepare volunteers for assisting in or leading school enrichment and other activities • Through instruction in teaching and learning skills/ styles, program implementation, evaluation and more

  20. The Master 4-H Volunteer Program Requirements • Must attend 10 trainings • Each meeting is a different subject • Must attend at least 25 hours of instruction (part of the 10 meetings ) • 50 Hours of Volunteer Service • Could be done through leading projects, school enrichment, etc. • Must participate in at least one school enrichment program • Cost- To Be Determined( If needed) • 10 Classes will be trainings in different areas

  21. Main Areas of Focus • Program Development Model • Used by AgriLife Extension • Teaching Methods/ Styles • Learning Methods/ Styles (Educational Methods) • Methods of Communication • The 4-H Project • Youth Protection & Screening • Evaluation • Interpretation

  22. Master 4-H Volunteer Class Structure • Class #1: What is 4-H/ Educational Philosophy • The overview of the 4-H program • Introduction of the Program Development Model • The “What’s” of 4-H • Writing an Educational Philosophy • Class #2: Educational Theories and Methods • Learning the various theories of education • Learning which philosophy you follow and how to use it • Developing methods of education

  23. Master 4-H Volunteer Class Structure • Class #3: Learning and Teaching Styles • What styles of learning/teaching are out there • What are YOUR styles of learning and teaching • Adaptation to learner’s method • Class #4: Communication Methods • Learn how to communicate with your group • Public Speaking Skills • Web Communication

  24. Master 4-H Volunteer Class Structure • Class #5: The 4-H Meeting • The ins and outs of the 4-H Project meeting • Project meeting ideas • Finding the right project to teach • Class #6: 4-H Recordbooks, Scholarships and Contests • Learning about the many opportunities 4-H has to offer • Specifics on these major parts of the 4-H program • How to help kids do well in these areas

  25. Master 4-H Volunteer Class Structure • Class #7: School Enrichment • Learn about 4-H outside of the club • Focus on the different programs offered by Extension • Learn about the programs currently offered in Guadalupe County • Class #8: Evaluation • Making sure your programs WORK! • Evaluation Methods • Different methods for different situations

  26. Master 4-H Volunteer Class Structure • Class #9: Interpretation and Outreach • Why does your programing matter • Learn to tell others about your programming • Explaining Extension to the community • Interpretation methods • Class #10: Putting it Together • Once you get your training, get ready to put it to use • The cohort will create a program using the skills acquired in class • Writing goals and learning objectives

  27. Benefit of the Program • Each volunteer will be taught many of the same methods and techniques as a county agent • Volunteers will come away with a set of skills needed to preform their duties as a 4-H Adult Leader • The volunteers are NOT intended to replace a county agent, but to increase the number of programs and projects possible in a county • These volunteers will also be better able to tell others (interpret) about the mission of Texas 4-H and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension • We shouldn’t be “the best kept secret in Texas”

  28. Future of the Master 4-H Volunteer Program • Program will start in Guadalupe County in 2013 • Trainings will be led by county agents, community leaders and specialists in various fields • Initial cohort will probably be kept between 10-15 maximum • Information for classes will be developed from actual graduate-level college courses to give volunteers the best possible skill set • Future cohorts will be co-led by members of the previous cohorts and the county agents

  29. Resources • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service • Texas A&M University: ALEC Courses 601, 607, 610, 615 & 630 • Guadalupe County Adult Leaders and Parents Association

  30. QUESTIONS???

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