Empowerment SEAL 2009

W E MUST BECOME THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE. Y OU MAY NEVER KNOW WHAT RESULTS COME OF YOUR ACTION, BUT IF YOU DO NOTHING THERE WILL BE NO RESULT. - M AHATMA G ANDHI

Objectives To define empowerment To clarify the connection between power and empowerment To illustrate the importance of empowerment in recruiting and motivating volunteers To identify opportunities for empowering volunteers within Extension

What do you think… What does empowerment mean to you? What experiences/interactions have left you feeling unempowered? How about interactions where you felt particularly empowered? How do you use empowerment at work? In your daily life? How do you apply this to your Extension Advisory Councils?

The history of power in em“power”ment Strong link between power and empowerment –Empowerment developed from traditional power theory –Empowerment can be seen as the latest addition to power theory Traditionally, power = influence, control, getting others to do what you want This view of power carried itself into the 1980’s –Leaders realized people are motivated much more by the idea that power can be shared, and the focus moved to empowerment

Important definition Empowerment: to enable, permit, or give power to; to promote individual self-actualization or influence within a specific relationship D OES THIS DEFINITION MATCH YOUR ORIGINAL THOUGHTS ON EMPOWERMENT ? W HY OR WHY NOT ?

Empowerment can be characterized… Several different ways: –As a process of change –Not part of a zero-sum relationship (you get something at my expense) –As a sharing of power –A synergistic relationship among leaders and followers –Others?

Why is empowerment important? There are aspects of power (empowerment) within all leader/follower relationships –Affects human motivation, individual development, transformational leadership development Important to know how to effectively develop and maintain these relationships –Advantages to using empowerment effectively: Individual buy-in increased Ownership over the process Stake in the final product Encourages individual skill/knowledge development Synergistic relationship can be developed –Work beyond one’s own potential –Producing a better final product –Enhancing individual self-efficacy

Adult & youth volunteers Inherently, youth volunteers are different –Still need to feel empowered –Including voices, opinions of youth has many benefits Clarifying an organization's vision and accomplishments, providing skill-developing opportunities for young people, increasing youth sense of belonging within communities Mutually beneficial relationships between youth and adults often translate into successful youth engagement –Adults coach youth, learn from working with them  How can youth become more involved?  Decision-making boards, community collaborative teams, and in our case, on advisory councils or county sub-committees

Youth empowerment strategies Encourage interaction with supportive adults –Display respect/equality when working with youth –Clearly outline expectations, responsibilities –Encourage youth participation by seeking opinions, suggestions Create a welcoming, inclusive environment –Remove barriers to meetings –Invite youth to speak first, avoid intimidation –Listen to, act on some youth suggestions

Youth empowerment strategies Encourage interaction with supportive adults –Display respect/equality when working with youth –Clearly outline expectations, responsibilities –Encourage youth participation by seeking opinions, suggestions Create a welcoming, inclusive environment –Remove barriers to meetings –Invite youth to speak first, avoid intimidation –Listen to, act on some youth suggestions

General empowerment opportunities Begin with establishing short-term goals to allow volunteers to build confidence in themselves –Results on small projects build self-efficacy/encourage taking on additional responsibilities Match volunteers with positions commensurate with their experience –I.e. an accountant planning a fundraiser If possible, encourage advisory leaders/volunteers to contribute to the overall vision of different projects or even the local organization Take time to celebrate, recognize accomplishments & say THANKS!

Empowerment opportunities Offer volunteer leadership training programs or encourage volunteers to attend skill development sessions Encourage open lines of communication between yourself, your advisory leaders, and among themselves Take advantage of mentoring – partner new advisory leaders with experienced volunteers (with positive leadership skills/characteristics) to provide advice Encourage volunteer suggestions and allow individuals to use their real-world experience to provide input on specific decisions, methods and day-to-day processes –Think “outside the box”

Review To define empowerment To clarify the connection between power and empowerment To illustrate the importance of empowerment in recruiting and motivating volunteers To identify opportunities for empowering volunteers within Extension

Questions?