POW Number: 5.F
July 1, 2002

POW Title: Volunteer Management and Development of Volunteer Skills

Situation Statement:

A key ingredient of the Cooperative Extension system is the high degree of involvement of the citizens of Pennsylvania in the planning and delivery of educational programs at the local level. A combination of effectively utilizing the talents and motivation of the people combined with the resources and research of the university provides a unique adult and youth education program for the Commonwealth.

Cooperative Extension utilizes thousands of volunteers in the highly effective program development process. The roles of these adult and teen volunteers, who have many titles, vary from serving on planning and advising committees, being teachers, counselors, advocates, and expert resource people.

To develop and support this system of volunteer staff requires considerable planning, expertise and time commitment by many within the system. There is an existing core of volunteers that are experienced and skilled in their role responsibilities. However, they need to be challenged, updated and recognized for their responsibilities. At the same time there is a need to recruit, orient, and effectively involve new volunteers with their talents and diverse backgrounds in ongoing and newly planned programs.

To maintain a dynamic volunteer-assisted educational program, the organization must have a plan in place and carry out that plan to assure that all aspects of the volunteer program are functioning adequately. To assure that the volunteer program is operating at satisfactory levels, designated volunteer managers must be certain that key processes are implemented and resources are available to support the volunteers. These processes include:
  1. An annual review of volunteer program needs.
  2. An assessment of volunteer needs.
  3. A recruitment process be in place based on diversity needs, screening policies, and written job descriptions.
  4. Orientation of new volunteers to their duties, philosophy, and policies of the university.
  5. Training to update volunteer staff on current information relevant to their involvement and roles.
  6. Provide appropriate recognition and rewards for volunteers.

With this quality volunteer program in operation, Cooperative Extension will continue to make a significant impact in the lives of Pennsylvanians.

 

SUB POW: 5.F.1. Volunteer Management and Development of Volunteer Skills

Objective: 5.F.1.1. A review of volunteer program needs will be made annually and appropriate changes will be implemented.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

    1. Number of volunteer programs for which an annual review has been completed.
    2. Number of changes that were implemented as a result of the review.

Objective: 5.F.1.2. Recruitment and selection of volunteers to fill program needs will be based on volunteer role descriptions.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

    1. Number of volunteers recruited to fill specific role descriptions.

Objective: 5.F.1.3. Job assignments will be carried out as a result of training.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

    1. Number of participants in training.
    2. Number of participants who demonstrate content knowledge in extension educational programs as a result of training.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

  1. Number of participants who demonstrate skills in extension educational programs as a result of training.
  2. Number of participants who indicate a change in attitude as a result of training.
  3. Number of participants who developed a new club or community program as a result of training.
  4. Number of participants who demonstrated two or more organizational or leadership skills, including record keeping and other paper work, as a result of training.

Objective: 5.F.1.4. Program expansion and/or funding will be enhanced by volunteers who advocate internally and externally for extension objectives through their roles as volunteers.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

    1. Number of participants.
    2. Number of participants who communicated their understanding of the extension educational system to an internal or external audiences.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

  1. Number of participants who successfully marketed an extension program to a new audience.
  2. Number of participants who advocated support of extension program objectives.
  3. Number of participants who accepted leadership roles in extension and the community.
  4. Number of volunteers who expanded an existing program or whose efforts provided funding or increased funding for a program.

Objective: 5.F.1.5. Program objectives and university policies will be used to review volunteer assignments.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):
  1. Number of participants whose assignments were changed based on educational objectives.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

  1. Number of participants whose assignments were changed to comply with University policies.

Objective: 5.F.1.6. Upon completion of specific tasks, recognition will be given for accomplishments.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

    1. Number of participants recognized for efforts and accomplishments.

Objective: 5.F.1.7. Programming will be adapted to needs of diverse audiences.

Output/Outcome Indicators (These indicators will be captured in the database for FY2003):

    1. Number of participants who adapted materials and/or teaching techniques according to audience needs.
    2. Number of participants who used accessible sites for their educational programs and club meetings as noted in public notices of programs and meetings.

Special Indicators (suggested by the POW team):

  1. Number of participants who displayed one or more sensitivities to cultural differences among their audiences.

POW Titles || POW 5F Audiences || POW 5F Resources