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“Why Volunteer?”. Be A Volunteer and Experience the Power of 4-H!. The State, County and Local 4-H program is a dynamic organization that reaches out to youth in grades 3-12 (and even younger in some counties) with opportunities for personal growth and increasing social and technical skills.
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Be A Volunteer and Experience the Power of 4-H! • The State, County and Local 4-H program is a dynamic organization that reaches out to youth in grades 3-12 (and even younger in some counties) with opportunities for personal growth and increasing social and technical skills.
Be A Volunteer and Experience the Power of 4-H! • Volunteers tell us the most important benefits they receive from working with the 4-H Youth Development Program are chances to: • Help children grow in personal self-worth. • Gain a better understanding of their community. • Interact with others and create family togetherness.
Be A Volunteer and Experience the Power of 4-H! • 4-H volunteers enjoy the new friends they make and the realization that they make a significant impact in the development of young people.Share with the youth in your community and help them become more motivated, capable and strong.
What is a Volunteer? • A volunteer is defined as a person who did unpaid work (except for expenses) through or for an organization.
Trends in Volunteerism • 44% of adults volunteer an average of 3.6 hours/week. • 83.9 million adults volunteer a total of 15.5 billion hours; equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees • Nationally, volunteer contributions worth $18.04 per hour ($15.57 in Indiana). • Nationwide volunteers donated time valued at $280 billion. Source: Independent Sector, www.independentsector.org
Trends in Volunteerism • Volunteer characteristics • Women (46%) more likely to volunteer than men (42%) • 35-44 year old group most likely to volunteer (34.7%) • Those who volunteer typically contribute more than those who do not ($2,295 to $1,009)
Factors Influencing Volunteer Participation • People volunteer when asked to do so (71%). • 2/3 of volunteers first volunteered as a youth, often with their family. • Volunteer marketing campaigns simply heighten awareness • Typically volunteer to work on issues pertinent to them or their family
Are you thinking about volunteering? Here are some tips to consider when volunteering…
10 Tips for Wise Volunteering • Research the causes or issues important to you. • Consider the skills you have to offer. • Consider volunteering as a family. • Would you like to learn something new? • Don’t over-commit your schedule.
10 Tips for Wise Volunteering • Nonprofits may have questions, too. • I never thought of that! • Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering! • Virtual volunteering? • Be a year-round volunteer! • Source: Independent Sector
What are the benefits of volunteers in 4-H? There are many!!!
Benefits of Volunteers • Point of local contact for information • Historical perspective of the program; may have been participants themselves • Great network of contacts – for people, donations, etc. • Know who to contact; typically well-respected by the community
Benefits of Volunteers • Allow organization to reach wide range of audiences • The program is “owned by” the local people; staff members come and go, but the local people have the long-term ownership of the program
Youth need volunteers who… • Care about them; • Let them know they are valued; • Provide opportunities for them to make decisions and try out ideas; • Show confidence in their ability; • Help them develop new skills;
Youth need volunteers who… • Communicate realistic, appropriate, and positive expectations; • Listen to them; • Spend time with them; • Recognize their efforts, achievements, and special qualities; and • Serve as good role models.
How do I volunteer for 4-H? Are you interested in volunteering for 4-H? Read on…
Purdue University and the State 4-H Program have adopted a screening process that each person interested in volunteering to help with the 4-H program must complete. The next few slides describe this process.
Volunteer Screening Process • Why? • Allows volunteers to reaffirm their commitment and dedication to the well-being of youth as they provide them with positive growth experiences. • Helps to ensure youth receive a high-quality education in a safe environment. • It documents volunteer excellence.
Who completes process? • All individuals who wish to volunteer with the program are included in the screening process. • Club and project leaders, committee members, advisory board members, any others who volunteer with the program.
What behaviors are addressed? Source: 4-H 783 & 4-H 785 • Follow rules and guidelines established by Purdue Extension, including those related to child abuse and neglect. • Be a positive role model for youth. • Be courteous, respectful, and truthful; exhibit good sportsmanship; handle conflict reasonably. • Represent 4-H Youth Development program with dignity and pride, accept supervision and support from others, participate in orientation and training, and work to create an effective 4-H Youth Development program.
What behaviors are addressed? • Ensure equal access to programs. • Understand that physical and verbal abuse and criminal acts are not a part of the 4-H Youth Development program. • Not allow, consume, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at 4-H Youth Development events. Limit tobacco use to times when volunteers are not with youth. • Operate machinery and equipment in a responsible manner; treat animals humanely; use technology appropriately.
Screening Process Steps: • Contact the County Extension Office and indicate that you are interested in volunteering with the 4-H Program. • The Educator will send you a packet with information on how to complete the screening process. This will include: • Cover letter • 4-H Volunteer Application Form • General information about volunteering in 4-H
Screening Process Steps: • Complete and return the 4-H Volunteer application. • The Educator will begin a confidential file for you, complete your three reference checks, and conduct a search of the Indiana Sex Offender’s Registry database.
Screening Process Steps: • After the Educator has completed the screening, you will receive a letter of notification • If accepted as a volunteer, you will receive a set of Adult Behavioral Expectations to sign and return along with a volunteer position description
Steps to complete: • Successful applicants will then receive an orientation on the basics of the 4-H program • This orientation will be followed by information on upcoming training opportunities.
Contacting your County Extension Office: • To find out about opportunities to volunteer in 4-H, contact your County Extension Office 4-H Youth Extension Educator. • Click on: http://www.ces.purdue.edu/; select County Offices, and click on the county in which you would like to volunteer.