Florida 4-H Program Handbook
SECTION 6: Volunteer Leader System
Why Volunteers and Why a System?
Effectively working with volunteers allows Extension to reach more people, get more done, increase the relevance of information delivered, enjoy greater recognition and support from the community, and increase the impact of our efforts. In 4-H, the added benefit of having many caring adults involved in the lives of children cannot be matched by the best designed exclusively agent delivered educational programs when it comes to building youth assets.
To maximize the effectiveness of the volunteer effort, and to see that Extension’s needs for program development and accountability are met, a systematic approach for managing the involvement of volunteers is needed. A key function of an agent is serving as a manager of a volunteer system.
A Volunteer Leadership System
Creating a volunteer leadership system will provide multiple levels of volunteers to carry out program and organizational support of the club and county programs. A leadership system of volunteers creates a level of leadership between the agent, as overall program manager, and the volunteers working directly at the level of program delivery (club, special interest groups, etc.).
What are Roles for Volunteers?
Let’s look at some potential roles of volunteers as a way of better understanding the concept. Let’s consider an Extension Agent’s 4-H Program functions as a framework for reviewing possible volunteer roles.
Volunteers in program development might serve as members of a 4-H advisory committee analyzing the entire 4-H program, doing needs assessments, setting overall program priorities, etc. A team of volunteers who would act as coaches to club leaders in the development of their club Plan of Work would be program development volunteers.
Curriculum Development volunteers might serve individually or as a member of a committee that provides county-wide leadership for one or several related 4-H projects. An example of this might be a citizenship development committee that would support the county citizenship programs by conducting citizenship workshops, aiding clubs in community improvement efforts, developing a list of resource people available for club programs, securing volunteers to prepare the 4-H Legislature delegation and the like. Horse project advisory committees are common and perform leadership functions in the project area. A county-wide project leader, teaching and advising club level project leaders, is also an example of this type of volunteer.
Volunteers in leadership positions that support volunteer development might serve as volunteer recruiters, coaches for new volunteers, or coordinate continuing education for current club leaders. This type of volunteer has been used with much success in other states Volunteers assisting in carrying out the program support function might serve on the county 4-H foundation, edit the county 4-H newsletter, or give leadership to a public information/ public relations campaign. Program Evaluation and Accountability offers volunteers the chance to assist in conducting county program reviews, developing reports to relevant groups on 4-H program successes, and gathering data is important to keep 4-H programs on target. Using volunteers in multiple ways and at varying levels can greatly enhance your ability to reach more youth with a stronger educational program. It is unlikely that your work will be any easier, nor will it necessarily take less of your time.
As we design a volunteer leadership system to support the 4-H program, there are some steps to consider.
