Expanding on the 12 Tips to Successful 4-H Science Content Volunteers

1. Expanding on the 12 Tips to Successful 4-H Science Content Volunteers Torey Earle & Jay Staker 03 February 2011 Proud Sponsor

2. The Tips are a Guide • 4-H Science is a project area • These tips are meant to give insight • Each state has specific guidelines for volunteer recruitment • The tools (Competencies, Self-Assessment, etc.) are 4-H Science specific… for a reason • Link for the Professional Development tool kit http://www.4-h.org/resource-library/professional-development-learning/science-training-guides-resources/training-guides/default.aspx?id=3097

3. Getting Started • Determine Areas of Interest • Survey of your program or county • What do your clientele want • Look for Volunteers With That Interest • Ask About Sharing Their Knowledge of the Subject With Youth • May be uncomfortable with teaching youth • Still can be a resource person for the program • Provide Information on What Resources Will Be Available

4. Supplying Information • Provide a Position Description • Let them know what is expected • Let them know what to expect from you • Let Them Know About Youth Development • This is our area of expertise • Help them understand the importance • ASK for a Commitment • Provide Youth Development Education • Help in Program Planning but DO NOT MICROMANAGE

5. Really Get to Know… • Learn a Little About the Volunteer’s Interests • If you are willing to learn from them… • This can help with future recruitment • Prepare For Some “Freaking Out” • Things don’t always go as planned • Help work them through the “youth variable” • Learn Their Recognition Style, Then Do It • May be different than your “traditional” volunteers • Take the time to get to know

6. The Iowa “Scientist-Volunteer Model” (SVM) • Developed in Iowa • Holly Bignall, Iowa 4-H • Jess Truby, Americorps Member • Jay Staker • Final stages of publishing the model • Iowa version • Customizable for other states

7. The SVM Poll Question 1

8. The Scientist Volunteer Model

9. Targeted Outcomes • Ability to use the SVM and included tools to build collaborative programs in 4-H SET • Understanding of strategies to reach volunteers and partners in SET to build 4-H programming. These include strategies to recruit, train, and provide ongoing support for these partners. • Understanding of strategies to develop SET programming patronage • Identify possible patrons and advantages provided by becoming patrons. • Develop job descriptions for volunteers in SET programming. • Awareness of budget considerations for developing SET collaborations

10. Why the SVM? • Disconnect between staff and volunteers for providing science programming • Staff self reported discomfort reaching out to new volunteer pool that differs from the traditional volunteer • Volunteer pool’s resistance to the traditional 4-H culture, e.g. training, processes, timelines, . . . • Often the biggest hurdle to starting science clubs is finding volunteers

11. What does the SVM do? • Starting a 4-H science club takes time and effort by all parties. • The SVM provides: • a guide for 4-H staff • Tool to share with collaborators explaining the vision • a process to create efficiencies. • Poll Question Number 2

12. What does the SVM do? • Collaborations: SVM provides a local youth club with a support structure • 4-H staff • the local company or organization • the scientist-volunteer • Club Needs • technical expertise • caring adult leaders • financial backing

13. Science Club Outcomes • explore science, engineering, and technology careers • Improve SET literacy, and • develop the mental process skills necessary for coursework in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Youth accomplish these goals through • club activities • exposure to local SET companies and organizations • positive relationship with a caring scientist, engineer, or technologist mentor.

14. THE MODEL • The Scientist-Volunteer Model is: • informative for employers, volunteers, staff, and collaborators interested in providing science, engineering, and technology (STEM) opportunities for youth • covers functions and responsibilities basic to creating and sustaining a successful partnership • enables 4-H members to learn in an innovative environment guided by a member of the scientific and engineering community

15. Table of Contents

16. Look at SVM • Link to the SVM Document www.extension.iastate.edu/e-set/4H3053ESET.pdf

17. Using the SVM 4-H PROGRAM CONNECTIONS • local 4-H programs can align with the direction and goals of the their 4-H program and the national 4-H Science mission • starting new 4-H SET clubs also will help county 4-H programs with program growth and volunteer recruitment • helps meet the 4-H goal to provide youth with high quality, long-term opportunities in which they increase their SET knowledge, develop their SET process skills, and explore SET careers.

18. Using the SVM MODEL FRAMEWORK • Foster a collaboration between the 4-H program and the science, engineering, or technology (SET) community to provide an innovative 4-H SET experience for youth. Primary Features • A community SET company or organization (club’s active patron) that provides financial support to the club and recruitment assistance for the volunteers • A volunteer with a background in science, engineering, or technology who acts as a mentor for the youth and as one of the adult leaders for the club • A county 4-H Science program that provides organizational structure and curriculum options for the club and training in youth development and inquiry process for the volunteers • A club that focuses on science, engineering, and technology, providing its members with all the positive youth development benefits of 4-H in innovative ways

19. Using the SVM: Curriculum • Leaders implement curriculum or activity series based on their knowledge and passions • Partners may constrain topic • or work with 4-H staff to identify or develop specific activities or curriculum for club use • Clubs may choose from a wide variety of 4-H and curricula that include numerous topics • Clubs may choose to participate in a sponsored program such as the Cargill Science Clubs, ESRI GIS Clubs • The scientist-volunteer may collect or develop a series of educational activities to address the topic in which she or he has expertise

20. Using the SVM: 4-H • Orientation to 4-H program • Positive Youth Development • Club Meetings • Club Fees • Volunteer Preparation • PYD • Risk Management • Rules/Regs (IRS)

21. Using the SVM: SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY PARTNER Active Patron The Scientist-Volunteer Model is based on a partnership between the 4-H program and a company or organization that is a member of the scientific community. Possible examples: • Local seed company or cooperative • Energy, media, Internet service provider or • telecommunication company Architecture and construction company • Engineering or technology production company or training program • Biological, chemical, or medical engineering or production company • Academic, governmental, or corporate research or quality control laboratory • Medical or dental facility or training program • Renewable energy research or production company or cooperative • Auto or other transportation mechanical engineering company or training program • Poll Question # 3

22. Using the SVM: Patronage PATRONAGE- Active Patron plays an essential role in ensuring club success. This role includes: • financial support and human resource support • may choose to work with the 4-H program to recruit other participating sponsors • provides material support to the club • E.g. funding, volunteers, and in-kind donations • Not necessarily involved in providing the holistic support that ensures club success. • Poll Question Number 4

23. Patron Responsibilities Responsibilities of an active patron include: • financial funding for the club • ensure a location to hold club meetings • advertising the club • limitations on club projects (e.g., mechanical engineering) • recruiting potential club leaders and mentors • solicit the involvement of other companies or organizations as participating sponsors • Create a supportive environment and incentives

24. Active Patron Advantages This partnership offers many direct and indirect benefits for the scientific community partner. • philanthropy within the community • positive youth development • career opportunities • science, engineering, and technology literate citizenry • Increased awareness within the community • future workforce • visibility • Tax deductible • Recognition

25. Scientist Volunteer Job Description • Job Description Components • Screening, Orientation, and Training • Recruitment and Marketing • Scheduling and Planning • Meeting 4-H Requirements • Communication with Families • Finances

26. 4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System.