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Improving Lives. Improving Texas.
Engaging Volunteers to lead Programs & Projects Locally
Presented by:Courtney DoddExtension Program Specialist
Volunteer Orientation
• Why is it important?– Allows individual to join as an
informed equal– Motivates volunteer– Provides forum for Extension to
explain expectations, goals and objectives
Three Parts of Orientation
• Social Orientation
• Position Orientation
• System Orientation
Social Orientation
• Introduction to county staff
• Tour of facility/office
• Explanation of dress code
• Directions to the break room
• How to operate the copy machine, fax machine, etc.
System Orientation
• Mission of Extension
• Legislation that created and defined Cooperative Extension
• Program Areas
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Policies and Procedures
Texas 4-H Volunteer Orientationhttp://campus.extension.org
Position Orientation
• Overview of roles and responsibilities
• Review the position description
Volunteer Expectations
• When a volunteer is a visible representative of Extension, they should:– Be prepared– Arrive/Finish on time– Look the part of a professional– Understand it is not only their reputation
on the line, but the Extension program’s reputation being evaluated as well
– Be prepared to have their efforts evaluated
“Just show up and we’ll figure out something for you to do!”
Volunteer Position Descriptions
• Force volunteer managers to think through and plan the work of their volunteers
• Reduces risk of volunteers doing something inappropriate
• Helps prevent a major “no-no” – having volunteers stand around with nothing to do!
A Great Title Sums It Up
• The most important component!
• Describe the position and sell it
• Let it say what they are and what they do
• Omit the word “volunteer”
• Add a little humor to the title
Elements of a Position Description
• Duties• Supervisor• Location and Schedule• Commitment• Skills Needed• Training Provided• Benefits
The Least You Need to Know
• Don’t recruit volunteers unless everyone is clear about what they’ll be doing first
• A clear and catchy title for your position will help recruit people
• Good position descriptions make it clear who acts as they volunteer’s supervisor.
• Listing the benefits of volunteering sends a message that you value and respect your volunteers
• Have clear position descriptions for the short-term and spontaneous volunteers
Project Leader Position Descriptions
http://texas4-h.org“Projects and Programs”
Empower Yourself to Serve Others
• Be a volunteer yourself!• Recognized as a team player
and a community resource• Obtain greater knowledge of
your community• Expand your presence in the
community…with an opportunity to promote Extension/4-H
What can I do to empowermy volunteers?
• Understand the concept
• Set the rules
• Put your volunteers to work
• Reap the benefits
What can I do if my volunteers refuse to be empowered? • Take it slow
• Let them feel your passion and enthusiasm…It’s contagious!
• If they fail to feel empowered, other problems may exist.
Ideas that Work!
• Lobbying Efforts• Program Planning• Award Recognition• Public Relations• Utilize Special Talents• Evaluation• Courtesy
Leadership Roles to Empower
• Discoverer• Illustrator• Encourager• Enabler• Smoother
Discoverer
• Continually looking for new opportunities to accomplish the mission
• A visionary
• Flexible to change
Illustrator
• Remember, and remind others, about the goals, values and mission
• Show your commitment to group goals in the way you approach opportunities or deal with obstacles
Encourager
• Be supportive
• Offer reassurance
• Recognize successes
• Believe in your volunteers
• Take a vested interest in their achievements
Enabler
• Offer a helping hand to boost chances of success.
• Consider yourself a coach or team-builder
Smoother
• “Smooth the way” by providing necessary information to complete a task
• Network to build positive relationships
• Serve as a resource
Benefits of Empowerment
• To the followers:– Increased motivation– Higher degree of learning– Improved tolerance of stress
• To the leaders:– Increased organizational commitment– Less role ambiguity– Increased satisfaction with roles and organization
• To the organization:– More flexibility– Better sense of community– Requests/problems handled with roles and the
organization– Group coordination and development
Empowerment
“The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it.”
- Anonymous