State volunteer forums can be an invaluable resource for providing opportunities for volunteer training on positive youth development. Some western states have experienced decreasing attendance and have questioned the practicality of hosting such forums. In this article, we showcase successes that one western state has experienced as a result of implementing innovative approaches. An online survey of participants showed increased capacity of volunteers to lead 4-H programs. Additionally, we outline implications for Extension professionals to inform their efforts to achieve successful volunteer forums

Davis, Elizabeth

MacArthur, Stacey S.

Parent, Vernon

Peterson, GaeLynn

English

Clemson University: TigerPrints

Journal of Extension Volume 56 Number 6 Article 17 10-1-2018 Investing in 4-H Volunteers Through State Leadership Forums Elizabeth Davis Utah State University Stacey S. MacArthur Utah State University GaeLynn Peterson Utah State University Vernon Parent Utah State University Recommended Citation Davis, E., MacArthur, S. S., Peterson, G., & Parent, V. (2018). Investing in 4-H Volunteers Through State Leadership Forums. Journal of Extension, 56(6). Retrieved from https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol56/iss6/17 This Ideas at Work is brought to you for free and open access by TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Extension by an authorized editor of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact kokeefe@clemson.edu. October 2018Volume 56Number 6Article # 6IAW6Ideas at WorkInvesting in 4-H Volunteers Through State Leadership ForumsAbstractState volunteer forums can be an invaluable resource for providing opportunities for volunteer training on positiveyouth development. Some western states have experienced decreasing attendance and have questioned thepracticality of hosting such forums. In this article, we showcase successes that one western state has experiencedas a result of implementing innovative approaches. An online survey of participants showed increased capacity ofvolunteers to lead 4-H programs. Additionally, we outline implications for Extension professionals to inform theirefforts to achieve successful volunteer forums.Keywords: volunteer, 4-H, 4-H training, youth development, forum   IntroductionVolunteer leadership development has been a fundamental objective of Cooperative Extension since its inception(Lockett & Boyd, 2012). This effort to increase volunteer leadership capacity in order to provide positive youthdevelopment is essential in any successful 4-H program but requires extensive time and resources (Culp, 2000).As a result, state volunteer forums need to show a good return on investment to justify their continuance.In the West, many volunteer forums are struggling to retain participants. Some of the barriers include high costof attendance, prohibitive length of the forum, inconvenient location, and irrelevant content (S. MacArthur,personal communication June, 22, 2017). As a result, six states no longer hold volunteer forums, three host thembut need to make changes due to lagging attendance, and four are still progressing with such forums—includingthe one described in this article (S. MacArthur, personal communication June, 22, 2017). Trained 4-H volunteersare a vital part of a successful 4-H program; therefore, it is imperative that barriers to volunteer forums areaddressed.Program DescriptionKomives, Lucas, and McMahon (1998) noted that quality volunteer leadership involves elements of inclusiveness,empowerment, ethics, and purposefulness. To recruit, train, and retain committed 4-H volunteers who areElizabeth DavisExtension AssistantProfessorelizabeth.davis@usu.eduStacey S. MacArthurExtension AssociateProfessorstacey.macarthur@usu.edu@4HvolproGaeLynn PetersonExtension AssistantProfessorgaelynn.peterson@usu.eduVernon ParentExtension AssociateProfessorvernon.parent@usu.eduUtah State UniversityLogan, Utahconsistently building these elements of leadership identity and capacity, it is necessary to have sustainable andregular training programs that diminish barriers to participation. To meet this need in Utah, a multiday 4-Hvolunteer leadership forum is hosted annually by rotating counties, thereby ensuring that the forum is at somepoint conveniently located for anyone who wants to attend.The forum includes general sessions, break-out sessions for which participants self-select into the session mostsalient to their interests and needs, a service project, and a recognition banquet. Examples of workshop topicsinclude delivery of science, technology, engineering, and math concepts on a budget; ways to make fooddehydrating interesting; development of a robotics and programming camp; 10-min leadership lessons; andbiosecurity at horse shows. The wide range of relevant workshop topics and year-to-year variability promoteleaders' staying current with trends in youth development and new technology. 4-H volunteers from across thestate come together to receive professional development training, gain an appreciation for the big picture of stateand national 4-H programs, acquire new ideas, connect with other volunteers and professional staff, and receiverecognition for their efforts and dedication to 4-H.To help reduce costs for volunteers and the time needed for participation, forum hosts minimize the number ofdays volunteers need to take off work by starting the forum on Thursday with optional events (e.g., mountainbike leader training) or tours unique to the county (e.g., petroglyph sightseeing). Then the general sessions,workshops, and recognition banquet are held on Friday and Saturday. If participants are unable to attend theentire conference, they may attend individual days.Strategies for increasing participation includeoffering first-time-attendee fee waivers,incorporating a teen volunteer leadership track,using local business personnel and experts to teach workshops,providing opportunities for new staff to present workshops and network, andhighlighting benefits of attendance through social media campaigns (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMTdJ836lnk).In addition, conference hosts have responded to specific needs of participants. For example, participants in theshooting sports track (e.g., range officer safety and leader training) and livestock track reported that they did notwant to attend a 3-day conference. This need was addressed by scheduling the programming for these tracksexclusively on Saturday.OutcomesTable 1 shows descriptive data for host county populations, attendance, and numbers of workshops offered forforums held 2012–2017. An institutional review board–approved survey was sent to all attendees after the 2014,2016, and 2017 forums. The survey addressed changes in attendees' knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors.Table 1.Utah 4-H Volunteer Leadership Forum Descriptive DataIdeas at Work Investing in 4-H Volunteers Through State Leadership Forums JOE 56(6)©2018 Extension Journal Inc 1YearHostcountypopulation AttendanceNumber ofworkshops offered2012 115,958 304 972013 560,974 322 1442014a 2,723 231 722015 1.1 million 268 1212016a 95,110 265 862017a, b 7,025 255 60aData were collected via surveys. bFirst year of condensedSaturday-only scheduling of livestock workshops.Results of the surveys for the 2014, 2016, and 2017 forums showed that 99% of attendees learned somethingnew, 98% of attendees would recommend the forum to others, 95% increased knowledge, 75% increased skills,52% improved attitudes related to 4-H, and 14% changed their behavior. The results related to knowledge andskills are consistent with impacts from other 4-H volunteer training programs (Fox, Herbert, Martin, &Bairnsfather, 2009). Additionally, the survey included a section in which participants could write their ownresponses about outcomes of attending the conference. Respondents reported that they had implemented newprograms, strengthened existing programs, improved 4-H environments, and benefited from networkingopportunities.Implications for ExtensionOthers in Extension interested in conducting a successful volunteer leadership forum should consider replicatingor adapting the strategies described herein. Moreover, on the basis of our experiences, we offer some additionalrecommendations. The host should identify potential partners to support or enhance the quality of theworkshops. Organizational strategies that improve efficiencies should be employed; such strategies includeoffering required certifications and trainings (e.g., shooting sports, horse judging) at the forum rather thanoffering them on a county basis. Additionally, it is important to be mindful of community and state events whenscheduling such a forum.Volunteers are a crucial part of Extension and 4-H programming. It is imperative to provide volunteersopportunities for training, collaboration, and empowerment. One way to build a strong volunteer base is byoffering a leadership forum that is based on the varying needs of the volunteers and addresses potential barriersto participation.ReferencesCulp, K., III (2000). Planning educational volunteer forums: Steps to success. Journal of Extension, 38(6), Article6FEA3. Available at: https://www.joe.org/joe/2000december/a3.phpIdeas at Work Investing in 4-H Volunteers Through State Leadership Forums JOE 56(6)©2018 Extension Journal Inc 2Fox, J., Herbert, L., Martin, K., & Bairnsfather, D. (2009). An examination of the benefits, preferred trainingdelivery modes, and preferred topics of 4-H youth development volunteers. Journal of Extension, 47(1), Article1RIB2. Available at: https://www.joe.org/joe/2009february/rb2.phpKomives, S. R., Lucas, N., & McMahon, R. (1998). Exploring leadership for college students who want to make adifference. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.Lockett, L. L., & Boyd, B. (2012) Enhancing leadership skills in volunteers. Journal of Leadership Education,11(1). Retrieved from http://www.journalofleadershiped.org/attachments/article/97/Lockett%20and%20Boyd.pdfCopyright © by Extension Journal, Inc. ISSN 1077-5315. Articles appearing in the Journal become the property ofthe Journal. Single copies of articles may be reproduced in electronic or print form for use in educational ortraining activities. Inclusion of articles in other publications, electronic sources, or systematic large-scaledistribution may be done only with prior electronic or written permission of the Journal Editorial Office, joe-ed@joe.org.If you have difficulties viewing or printing this page, please contact JOE Technical SupportIdeas at Work Investing in 4-H Volunteers Through State Leadership Forums JOE 56(6)©2018 Extension Journal Inc 3

Investing in 4-H Volunteers Through State Leadership Forums

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Investing in 4-H Volunteers Through State Leadership Forums

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