“Why Volunteer?”

Be A Volunteer and Experience the Power of 4-H! The State, County and Local 4-H program is a dynamic organization that reaches out to youth in grades (and even younger in some counties) with opportunities for personal growth and increasing social and technical skills. The State, County and Local 4-H program is a dynamic organization that reaches out to youth in grades (and even younger in some counties) with opportunities for personal growth and increasing social and technical skills.

Be A Volunteer and Experience the Power of 4-H! Volunteers tell us the most important benefits they receive from working with the 4-H Youth Development Program are chances to: Volunteers tell us the most important benefits they receive from working with the 4-H Youth Development Program are chances to: –Help children grow in personal self-worth. –Gain a better understanding of their community. –Interact with others and create family togetherness.

Be A Volunteer and Experience the Power of 4-H! 4-H volunteers enjoy the new friends they make and the realization that they make a significant impact in the development of young people. Share with the youth in your community and help them become more motivated, capable and strong. 4-H volunteers enjoy the new friends they make and the realization that they make a significant impact in the development of young people. Share with the youth in your community and help them become more motivated, capable and strong.

What is a Volunteer? A volunteer is defined as a person who did unpaid work (except for expenses) through or for an organization. A volunteer is defined as a person who did unpaid work (except for expenses) through or for an organization.

Trends in Volunteerism 44% of adults volunteer an average of 3.6 hours/week. 44% of adults volunteer an average of 3.6 hours/week million adults volunteer a total of 15.5 billion hours; equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees 83.9 million adults volunteer a total of 15.5 billion hours; equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees Nationally, volunteer contributions worth $18.04 per hour ($15.57 in Indiana). Nationally, volunteer contributions worth $18.04 per hour ($15.57 in Indiana). Nationwide volunteers donated time valued at $280 billion. Nationwide volunteers donated time valued at $280 billion. Source: Independent Sector,

Trends in Volunteerism Volunteer characteristics Volunteer characteristics –Women (46%) more likely to volunteer than men (42%) –35-44 year old group most likely to volunteer (34.7%) –Those who volunteer typically contribute more than those who do not ($2,295 to $1,009)

Factors Influencing Volunteer Participation People volunteer when asked to do so (71%). People volunteer when asked to do so (71%). 2/3 of volunteers first volunteered as a youth, often with their family. 2/3 of volunteers first volunteered as a youth, often with their family. Volunteer marketing campaigns simply heighten awareness Volunteer marketing campaigns simply heighten awareness Typically volunteer to work on issues pertinent to them or their family Typically volunteer to work on issues pertinent to them or their family

Are you thinking about volunteering? Here are some tips to consider when volunteering…

10 Tips for Wise Volunteering Research the causes or issues important to you. Research the causes or issues important to you. Consider the skills you have to offer. Consider the skills you have to offer. Consider volunteering as a family. Consider volunteering as a family. Would you like to learn something new? Would you like to learn something new? Don’t over-commit your schedule. Don’t over-commit your schedule.

10 Tips for Wise Volunteering Nonprofits may have questions, too. Nonprofits may have questions, too. I never thought of that! I never thought of that! Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering! Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering! Virtual volunteering? Virtual volunteering? Be a year-round volunteer! Be a year-round volunteer! Source: Independent Sector Source: Independent Sector

What are the benefits of volunteers in 4-H? There are many!!!

Benefits of Volunteers Point of local contact for information Point of local contact for information Historical perspective of the program; may have been participants themselves Historical perspective of the program; may have been participants themselves Great network of contacts – for people, donations, etc. Great network of contacts – for people, donations, etc. Know who to contact; typically well- respected by the community Know who to contact; typically well- respected by the community

Benefits of Volunteers Allow organization to reach wide range of audiences Allow organization to reach wide range of audiences The program is “owned by” the local people; staff members come and go, but the local people have the long-term ownership of the program The program is “owned by” the local people; staff members come and go, but the local people have the long-term ownership of the program

Youth need volunteers who… Care about them; Care about them; Let them know they are valued; Let them know they are valued; Provide opportunities for them to make decisions and try out ideas; Provide opportunities for them to make decisions and try out ideas; Show confidence in their ability; Show confidence in their ability; Help them develop new skills; Help them develop new skills;

Youth need volunteers who… Communicate realistic, appropriate, and positive expectations; Communicate realistic, appropriate, and positive expectations; Listen to them; Listen to them; Spend time with them; Spend time with them; Recognize their efforts, achievements, and special qualities; and Recognize their efforts, achievements, and special qualities; and Serve as good role models. Serve as good role models.

How do I volunteer for 4-H? Are you interested in volunteering for 4-H? Read on…

Purdue University and the State 4-H Program have adopted a screening process that each person interested in volunteering to help with the 4-H program must complete. Purdue University and the State 4-H Program have adopted a screening process that each person interested in volunteering to help with the 4-H program must complete. The next few slides describe this process.

Volunteer Screening Process Why? Why? –Allows volunteers to reaffirm their commitment and dedication to the well- being of youth as they provide them with positive growth experiences. –Helps to ensure youth receive a high- quality education in a safe environment. –It documents volunteer excellence.

Who completes process? All individuals who wish to volunteer with the program are included in the screening process. All individuals who wish to volunteer with the program are included in the screening process. Club and project leaders, committee members, advisory board members, any others who volunteer with the program. Club and project leaders, committee members, advisory board members, any others who volunteer with the program.

What behaviors are addressed? Source: 4-H 783 & 4-H 785 Follow rules and guidelines established by Purdue Extension, including those related to child abuse and neglect. Follow rules and guidelines established by Purdue Extension, including those related to child abuse and neglect. Be a positive role model for youth. Be a positive role model for youth. Be courteous, respectful, and truthful; exhibit good sportsmanship; handle conflict reasonably. Be courteous, respectful, and truthful; exhibit good sportsmanship; handle conflict reasonably. Represent 4-H Youth Development program with dignity and pride, accept supervision and support from others, participate in orientation and training, and work to create an effective 4-H Youth Development program. Represent 4-H Youth Development program with dignity and pride, accept supervision and support from others, participate in orientation and training, and work to create an effective 4-H Youth Development program.

What behaviors are addressed? Ensure equal access to programs. Ensure equal access to programs. Understand that physical and verbal abuse and criminal acts are not a part of the 4-H Youth Development program. Understand that physical and verbal abuse and criminal acts are not a part of the 4-H Youth Development program. Not allow, consume, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at 4-H Youth Development events. Limit tobacco use to times when volunteers are not with youth. Not allow, consume, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at 4-H Youth Development events. Limit tobacco use to times when volunteers are not with youth. Operate machinery and equipment in a responsible manner; treat animals humanely; use technology appropriately. Operate machinery and equipment in a responsible manner; treat animals humanely; use technology appropriately.

Screening Process Steps: 1. Contact the County Extension Office and indicate that you are interested in volunteering with the 4-H Program. 2. The Educator will send you a packet with information on how to complete the screening process. This will include: a. Cover letter b. 4-H Volunteer Application Form c. General information about volunteering in 4-H

Screening Process Steps: 3. Complete and return the 4-H Volunteer application. 4. The Educator will begin a confidential file for you, complete your three reference checks, and conduct a search of the Indiana Sex Offender’s Registry database.

Screening Process Steps: After the Educator has completed the screening, you will receive a letter of notification After the Educator has completed the screening, you will receive a letter of notification If accepted as a volunteer, you will receive a set of Adult Behavioral Expectations to sign and return along with a volunteer position description If accepted as a volunteer, you will receive a set of Adult Behavioral Expectations to sign and return along with a volunteer position description

Steps to complete: 7. Successful applicants will then receive an orientation on the basics of the 4-H program 8. This orientation will be followed by information on upcoming training opportunities.

Contacting your County Extension Office: To find out about opportunities to volunteer in 4-H, contact your County Extension Office 4-H Youth Extension Educator. To find out about opportunities to volunteer in 4-H, contact your County Extension Office 4-H Youth Extension Educator. Click on: select County Offices, and click on the county in which you would like to volunteer. Click on: select County Offices, and click on the county in which you would like to volunteer.

Thank you for your interest in serving as a 4-H Volunteer!