Category Archives: Volunteer Development
The Rise of Episodic Volunteers
I’m busy, you’re busy, we’re all busy. The result of this shows as we look at volunteer research. Long-term committed volunteerism is down, and episodic volunteerism is up. What does that mean to your county 4-H program? You’ve got to … Continue reading
“What’s That Hammer Looking Thingy?”
As a 4-H alumna, I grew up exposed to Robert’s Rules of Order and parliamentary procedure. But that is not everyone’s experience. It may not be your volunteers’ experience, it may not have been your experience. While you can certainly … Continue reading
Volunteer Training? Let Me Count the Ways
“How do you train your volunteers?” If you are like most, you typically have an answer like, “Once a month at volunteer leader meetings.” OR “Quarterly” OR “Once at the beginning of the year” OR some other variation. Actually, you … Continue reading
The Importance of Volunteer Role Descriptions
Imagine a world in which you were hired to do this fantastic job called “4-H Agent” and you were told- we want you to get kids and volunteers doing 4-H stuff. Now go out an conquer! It’s exciting and daunting … Continue reading
Make Up Your Mind Already! Finding the Volunteers You Really Need.
The first volunteer recruitment campaign I ever coordinated was a disaster. It wasn’t because it was an overly complicated plan, rather my plan consisted of two steps: 1) put advertisements in the local papers and 2) put all the new … Continue reading
A Model for Leadership
“Leadership” is a fuzzy term to many, and quite possibly because it may manifest in many different ways. I find that many difficulties in teaching leadership to young people lie in the abstractedness of the concept. That’s why I was … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Development, Volunteer Development, Youth Development
Tagged leadership
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Tuckman’s Model Revisited: NOW With Cool Activities!
It’s baaaaaaaaack! Just when you thought we were finished talking about forming-storming-norming-performing-and adjourning here we are again! Why? Because teams are important! …And also because I found this cool resource that shares specific activities to use depending upon which stage … Continue reading
County Events: After the Final Ribbon
Often we spend so much time gearing up for an event, the last thing we want to think about on the first day back at the office after said event is- THAT SAME EVENT! Fair enough, give yourself a few … Continue reading
Posted in Organizational Strategies, Volunteer Development, Youth Development
Tagged county events
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4-H County Events #2- The Judges They Deserve
Over the holiday break I learned everything I ever wanted to know about organizing Pokemon cards. It’s 4-H County Events season in our house. After weeks of trying to decide- my child finally chose to craft his Cloverbud demonstration on … Continue reading
4-H Grows #4: County Events
“What has striped hooves, mottled skin, and spots? The Appaloosa horse, that’s what!” Don’t be too harsh– I penned that demonstration introduction as a 9 year old for my first County Events. I’ll never forget my first County Events. I … Continue reading
Florida 4-H: Northeast District 