Expanding on the 12 Tips to Successful 4-H Science Content

VolunteersTorey Earle & Jay Staker03 February 2011

Proud Sponsor

• 4-H Science is a project area• These tips are meant to give insight• Each state has specific guidelines for

volunteer recruitment• The tools (Competencies, Self-Assessment,

etc.) are 4-H Science specific… for a reason

• Link for the Professional Development tool kit

http://www.4-h.org/resource-library/professional-development-learning/science-training-guides-resources/training-guides/default.aspx?id=3097

The Tips are a Guide

2

• Determine Areas of Interest Survey of your program or county What do your clientele want

• Look for Volunteers With That Interest • Ask About Sharing Their Knowledge of the

Subject With Youth May be uncomfortable with teaching youth Still can be a resource person for the program

• Provide Information on What Resources Will Be Available

Getting Started

3

Supplying Information

• Provide a Position Description Let them know what is expected Let them know what to expect from you

• Let Them Know About Youth Development This is our area of expertise Help them understand the importance

• ASK for a Commitment• Provide Youth Development Education• Help in Program Planning but DO NOT

MICROMANAGE4

Really Get to Know…

• Learn a Little About the Volunteer’s Interests If you are willing to learn from them… This can help with future recruitment

• Prepare For Some “Freaking Out” Things don’t always go as planned Help work them through the “youth variable”

• Learn Their Recognition Style, Then Do It May be different than your “traditional”

volunteers Take the time to get to know

5

• Developed in Iowa Holly Bignall, Iowa 4-H Jess Truby, Americorps Member Jay Staker

• Final stages of publishing the model Iowa version Customizable for other states

The Iowa “Scientist-Volunteer Model” (SVM)

6

The SVM

Poll Question 1

The Scientist Volunteer Model

Targeted Outcomes Ability to use the SVM and included tools to build

collaborative programs in 4-H SET Understanding of strategies to reach volunteers

and partners in SET to build 4-H programming. These include strategies to recruit, train, and provide ongoing support for these partners.

Understanding of strategies to develop SET programming patronage

Identify possible patrons and advantages provided by becoming patrons.

Develop job descriptions for volunteers in SET programming.

Awareness of budget considerations for developing SET collaborations

Why the SVM?

• Disconnect between staff and volunteers for providing science programming Staff self reported discomfort reaching out to

new volunteer pool that differs from the traditional volunteer

Volunteer pool’s resistance to the traditional 4-H culture, e.g. training, processes, timelines, . . .

Often the biggest hurdle to starting science clubs is finding volunteers

What does the SVM do?

• Starting a 4-H science club takes time and effort by all parties.

• The SVM provides: a guide for 4-H staff Tool to share with collaborators explaining the

vision a process to create efficiencies.

• Poll Question Number 2

What does the SVM do?

• Collaborations: SVM provides a local youth club with a support structure

4-H staff the local company or organization the scientist-volunteer

Club Needs technical expertise caring adult leaders financial backing

Science Club Outcomes

1) explore science, engineering, and technology careers

2) Improve SET literacy, and 3) develop the mental process skills necessary for

coursework in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Youth accomplish these goals through club activities exposure to local SET companies and

organizations positive relationship with a caring scientist,

engineer, or technologist mentor.

THE MODELThe Scientist-Volunteer Model is:• informative for employers, volunteers, staff, and collaborators

interested in providing science, engineering, and technology (STEM) opportunities for youth

• covers functions and responsibilities basic to creating and sustaining a successful partnership

• enables 4-H members to learn in an innovative environment guided by a member of the scientific and engineering community

Table of Contents

Look at SVM

• Link to the SVM Documentwww.extension.iastate.edu/e-set/

4H3053ESET.pdf

Using the SVM

4-H PROGRAM CONNECTIONS• local 4-H programs can align with the direction and goals of

the their 4-H program and the national 4-H Science mission • starting new 4-H SET clubs also will help county 4-H

programs with program growth and volunteer recruitment • helps meet the 4-H goal to provide youth with high quality,

long-term opportunities in which they increase their SET knowledge, develop their SET process skills, and explore SET careers.

Using the SVMMODEL FRAMEWORK• Foster a collaboration between the 4-H program and the

science, engineering, or technology (SET) community to provide an innovative 4-H SET experience for youth.

Primary Features• A community SET company or organization (club’s active patron)

that provides financial support to the club and recruitment assistance for the volunteers

• A volunteer with a background in science, engineering, or technology who acts as a mentor for the youth and as one of the adult leaders for the club

• A county 4-H Science program that provides organizational structure and curriculum options for the club and training in youth development and inquiry process for the volunteers

• A club that focuses on science, engineering, and technology, providing its members with all the positive youth development benefits of 4-H in innovative ways

Using the SVM: Curriculum

• Leaders implement curriculum or activity series based on their knowledge and passions Partners may constrain topic or work with 4-H staff to identify or develop specific

activities or curriculum for club use• Clubs may choose from a wide variety of 4-H and

curricula that include numerous topics• Clubs may choose to participate in a sponsored

program such as the Cargill Science Clubs, ESRI GIS Clubs

• The scientist-volunteer may collect or develop a series of educational activities to address the topic in which she or he has expertise

Using the SVM: 4-H

• Orientation to 4-H program• Positive Youth Development• Club Meetings• Club Fees• Volunteer Preparation

PYD Risk Management Rules/Regs (IRS)

Using the SVM: SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY PARTNER

Active Patron The Scientist-Volunteer Model is based on a partnership

between the 4-H program and a company or organization that is a member of the scientific community.

Possible examples:• Local seed company or cooperative • Energy, media, Internet service provider or• telecommunication company Architecture and construction

company• Engineering or technology production company or training

program• Biological, chemical, or medical engineering or production

company• Academic, governmental, or corporate research or quality control

laboratory• Medical or dental facility or training program• Renewable energy research or production company or cooperative• Auto or other transportation mechanical engineering company or

training program • Poll Question # 3

Using the SVM: Patronage

PATRONAGE- Active Patron plays an essential role in ensuring club success.

This role includes:• financial support and human resource support• may choose to work with the 4-H program to

recruit other participating sponsors provides material support to the club E.g. funding, volunteers, and in-kind donations Not necessarily involved in providing the holistic support

that ensures club success. • Poll Question Number 4

Patron Responsibilities

Responsibilities of an active patron include:• financial funding for the club • ensure a location to hold club meetings• advertising the club• limitations on club projects (e.g., mechanical engineering)• recruiting potential club leaders and mentors• solicit the involvement of other companies or organizations as

participating sponsors• Create a supportive environment and incentives

Active Patron AdvantagesThis partnership offers many direct and indirect benefits for the scientific

community partner. • philanthropy within the community• positive youth development• career opportunities• science, engineering, and technology literate citizenry• Increased awareness within the community• future workforce• visibility• Tax deductible• Recognition

Scientist Volunteer Job Description

• Job Description Components Screening, Orientation, and Training Recruitment and Marketing Scheduling and Planning Meeting 4-H Requirements Communication with Families Finances

26

4-H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System.