Q&A with Rhiannon Page • Photos by Kevin Hudson
Since he was featured in the first issue of Extension Matters magazine in 2015, Nic Carter has continued his involvement in 4-H, breeding show pigs and attending the Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions when he can.
Individuals who coordinate volunteer-based and nonprofit organizations wear multiple hats. Often, leading volunteers is not the only responsibility of a volunteer administrator in these organizations (Fisher & Cole, 1993). Volunteers can participate in education and training that prepares them to accept leadership responsibility within the organization (Fisher & Cole, 1993). However, research indicates that volunteer leadership is an underused resource in nonprofit organizations (Cooperation, 2007).
Volunteer-based organizations play an integral role in the success of the population and in the communities they serve. These organizations would not be successful agents of change without the hard work and dedication of volunteers. This is why volunteer organizations continue to allocate their limited resources to train these essential volunteer leaders.
Your members want to be active. They want to learn. As a leader, you can help make meetings both enjoyable and educational. Each session should include activities that members feel are important to them. Involving the group in planning meetings is one way to stimulate continued interest.
Read more about 4-H meetings for leaders by downloading the pdf above.
It is very seldom that unpleasant incidents occur, but the potential does exist. Here are guidelines for supervising 4-H members.
Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age AND currently enrolled as a registered volunteer in your county before they can work with 4-H’ers. MSU Extension has instructions on how to become a volunteer.
The procedure to become a registered volunteer is as follows:
Very seldom do unpleasant incidents occur, but the potential does exist. Here are the guidelines for you concerning the supervision of 4-H youth.
Volunteers must be at least 21 year of age AND currently enrolled as a registered volunteer in your county before they can work with 4-H’ers. Find instructions on how to become a volunteer.
The procedure to become a Registered Volunteer is as follows:
Volunteers are important leaders and members of the 4-H team. Without volunteers, 4-H would be unable to offer the 4-H programs, activities, clubs, and contests to so many young people.
Many opportunities exist for volunteers in 4-H. A few examples include the following:
When parents, grandparents, and other family members participate in 4-H, the 4-H members benefit from their support and encouragement. When families know about 4-H and the activities and events available to the members, they can help their children participate. Informed family members can help youth attend club meetings, workshops, keep records, participate in community service activities, and prepare for leadership roles in the club program.