Howdy Partner: Training Volunteers to Reach Our Audience

Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program EFENP/SNAP-Ed Program Assistants EFENP/SNAP-Ed Nutrition Outreach Instructor Department of Human Nutrition Foods & Exercise SNAP-Ed Project Associate

Regular - any person engaging in specific voluntary activities on a continuing or on-going basis Occasional - any person providing a one-time or infrequent assistance Collaborator - any person as a part of their normal compensated employment, assisting VCE in the accomplishment of a shared goal Master Volunteer - any person completing advanced training according to criteria determined by a specific educational program area and demonstrating expertise and agreeing to a long-term commitment to VCE Donor - any person providing funds, resources, materials, and/or facilities in support of VCE educational programs and missions Categories of Volunteer Involvement

 Approach Director of School Nutrition  Contact local Principals  Approach schools who are participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program  Contact P.E. teachers

 Recruit volunteers through ESL classes  “Connect nutrition education to other valued educational resources”  Help bridge the language barrier

 Contact members of Faith-Based Associations (Baptist Association)  Send out surveys to local churches  Contact pastors of churches

 Community: Talk to Anyone and Everyone  Research volunteer Websites: Local United Way or NFL Join the Team, etc.  Contact Home Visitors: Try Early Head Start or your People Inc

 Meet with childhood educators (through supervisors and DHHS)  Contact directors or local childcare providers  Attend early childhood educator meetings (Virginia Preschool Initiative, Head Start, etc.)

 Contact Prevention Services  Contact Program Coordinators (Those that supervise home-visitor staff)  Ask about any already established groups, adult learning centers, and home visits  Help CSB/Home Visitation groups develop strategies to incorporate nutrition into each home

Who is passionate about a particular group?

 If possible partner with local offices and PA’s in training, data collection, and resource management.

 Volunteer: Direct observation  Participants: pre/post evaluation  (Volunteers report results of evaluations)  WE ALL NEED TO SHOW BEHAVIOR CHANGE!!!!

 Through local offices volunteer appreciation days  Certificate of appreciation  Simple phone call

 How would you handle these challenges ?

  Adam Pearson (School programs)   Ann Vargo (Immigrant Outreach)   Pauline Stokes (Faith-Based Volunteers)   Dottie Havlik (Community Volunteers)   Renee Armstead (Early Childhood Educators)   Judy Stevens (NOI Coordinator)