Connecting and Engaging Extension Volunteers

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Connecting and Engaging Extension Volunteers

Connections and Engagement ConferenceUniversity of Wisconsin-Extension

October 19-22, 2010

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Indentify key words that show the differences between:

VolunteersVolunteer ManagementVolunteer Development

In Small Groups

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Volunteerism Trends Working with Volunteers Volunteer Systems that Make a Difference Engaging the New Age Volunteers Organizational Changes that Embrace

Today’s Volunteer

Agenda for the Workshop

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Think about a program run by volunteers that you supervise.◦What are the trends that you are seeing &/or experiencing?

◦What are the implications of the trends – the so what?

Large Group Discussion

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1.5 million volunteers 33.5% of residents volunteer - ranking them

13th among the 50 states and Washington, DC

158.6 million hours of service 36 hours per resident - ranking them 23rd

among the 50 states and Washington, DC $3.3 billion of service contributed

Source: Corporation for National and Community Service

Wisconsin Volunteer Trends

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Corporation for National and Community Service: Volunteering in America◦ http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/volunteering/in

dex.asp

Time Value of Volunteers◦ http://independentsector.org/programs/research/volu

nteer_time.html

Trends and Time Value

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Start with a Plan!

Consider the Organization ◦ Volunteer Administration and Management

Strategies

Consider the Individual Volunteer◦ Volunteer Development Strategies

Just Where Do I Start To Capture Volunteer Potential?

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Volunteer Readiness and Education

Volunteer Development

Engagement of Volunteers andSustainability

Volunteer Management

Volunteer Delivery System

Personal Readiness

OrganizationalReadiness

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Volunteer management or administration is the utilization of volunteers to achieve organizational goals by individuals who manage programs, resources and inputs.

Volunteer development engages individuals in an ongoing educational process, designed to build capacities for service roles.

Volunteer Development or Volunteer Management?

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Where to Begin

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Cycle of Volunteer AdministrationIdentify Program Needs

Design Volunteer

Roles

Identify Recruit,

and Select Volunteers

Orient and Train

Volunteers

Provide Support (Utilize)

and Evaluate

Recognize Volunteer

Work

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Long term Short term/episodic

Workplace Virtual Youth Professional Mid Management

Senior/Retirees

Transitional Group Court Ordered Entrepreneurial Pro Bono ETC.

Identify Today’s Volunteers

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What Strengths and Limitations do these

Volunteers Bring to the Organization?

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What Organizational Changes

are needed to utilize all types of

volunteers?

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Resources for You

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Web Links & Information

· Wisconsin Volunteer Development & Management Resources: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/resources/mgt/volunteer.cfm

· Volunteerism for the Next Generation:

Everyone Ready®: http://nextgeneration.4-h.org/volunteerism/

· Points of Light Institute: http://www.pointsoflight.org/

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It’s a PRIVILEGE to volunteer, not a right

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Thank you!

An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and American with Disabilities (ADA) requirements.

•René Mehlberg, 4-H Youth Development Educator, Winnebago County

•Jennifer Swensen, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Adams County

•Sue Pleskac, Volunteer Leadership Specialist