Recruitment and Partnerships Module 2

Getting Acquainted How many of you have a background in 4‐H? Can any of you tell me just one thing about the system and structure of 4‐H? What is the role of volunteers in the 4‐H program? What do you think that information has to do with our training today?

The Way 4-H Works Professional staff and volunteers typically led by a State 4‐H Leader at the university level. 4‐H faculty supervise individual counties or groupings of neighboring counties. 4‐H volunteers are the critical link between the study, research, curriculum and guidance provided by the 4‐H program at every level and the youth in your club. Volunteers offer youth access to a world of learning and enrichment through caring leadership.

Building Your Team Volunteers are essential! Develop a clear picture and description for each role the volunteer may take on. Identify the expectations for each volunteer role. Develop a plan on how to find volunteers who can fulfill those roles.

Building Your Team What is the general role of a volunteer within the 4‐H program? Do you think volunteers play an important part in 4‐H program delivery? How or why do they do this? What is the role of teen leaders in 4‐H programming? What specific roles can volunteers play in robotics programs? What skills or knowledge are you looking for to assist with a new robotics program in your area?

Building Your Team A 4‐H Robotics club will benefit from the leadership of any caring and competent volunteer. It is not necessary to have volunteers with engineering or robotics knowledge, however recruiting ‘science rich’ volunteers can strengthen and enrich your program. Robotics and engineering are specialized areas, so targeting volunteer recruitment in specific ways to build a volunteer team that can fully support a robotics program is beneficial.

Building Your Team Developing position descriptions for volunteers that emphasis roles and responsibilities will aid them in understanding the required commitment to the program. Position descriptions can be broad or specific depending on your needs.

Building Your Team When developing a position description consider the following questions. What roles and responsibilities are you looking to fill specifically for the robotic clubs? What skills or attributes would be beneficial?

Building Your Team Who, in our community, might have those skills? Do we know this person or will we need to reach out to someone new? How can we meet a person with these skills? How can we encourage this person to become a 4‐H volunteer?

Programming for Success What are the objectives or outcomes you want to achieve your robotics program?

What Other Resources Will You Need? Areas to consider may include: Curriculum Competition Equipment Facility Funding

Curriculum Things to consider: Will you have a sequence of curriculums? How is the curriculum delivered? – Is it a book, DVD, on‐line? – Does it use computers? How much does it cost?

Competition Things to consider: What is the competition season? What equipment is needed to participate? How much does it cost to be part of the competition? How many youth can be on a team? Can youth enter their robotics project at the county or state fair? What are the fair requirements? What are the registration deadlines?

Equipment Things to consider: What resources do you have to assist you in acquiring the needed equipment? Can you accept donations of any items? Equipment is expensive and may be cost‐prohibitive to repair or replace. Successful programs include a system of maintaining accountability for equipment and guidelines to prevent accidental damage to delicate robotic and electronic components. Who will develop these guidelines and maintain them? What guidelines will you include?

Facility Things to consider: Your equipment is not only expensive to replace—it is valuable to your program. Without it, you cannot conduct planned activities. Having secure storage that is accessible only by trusted, responsible individuals is essential to keeping your equipment safe and ready for use. Where and how will you store equipment? Is secure storage available (ie, locking cabinet or closet)? Who will have access to storage? Where will keys be kept?

Funding Things to consider: What resources do you already have? What resources will you need to develop? Think about the costs involved after the initial purchase of a robotics kit or equipment: computer maintenance, upgrades, or replacement parts. Don’t forget to consider travel to robotics competitions or enrichment activities.

Action Plan How do you feel about the Action Plan you have just completed? What steps are you looking forward to completing? Are any of the steps causing concern for you? How can we address your concerns? What new ideas or questions do you have as a result of this activity? How do you think the Action Plan will help you prepare your new program?

Closing and Questions Importance of establishing volunteer teams and community partnerships Key resources needed to develop a robotics program: volunteers, equipment, facilities, and funding. Importance of identifying roles and responsibilities for volunteers. Planning is essential: Tool to utilize “Action Plan Worksheet”