Elliott County CES

Title:

Volunteerism

MAP:

4-H

Agents Involved:

4-H Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Volunteer Development

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Civic Engagement

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Leadership

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Natural Resources

Situation:

According to the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS), Kentucky ranks 48^th in Teenage Volunteer Rate and 39^th in Adult Volunteer Rate.  Kentucky’s Teenage Volunteer Rate was 17.9%, as compared to other states which ranged from 14.1% to 42.2%.  Conversely, 28.1% of adults volunteer.  Meanwhile, volunteer rates among teens, nationwide are increasing.  Finally, teens engaged in service activities during their high school years are twice as likely to serve as volunteers during their 20’s and 30’s.   Clearly, in order to develop the next generation of volunteers in Kentucky, Extension must be more proactive in engaging teens in volunteer service.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Social:Teens will become more active as volunteers; increasing the amount of unpaid service that they provide throughout their communities.   Adults will increase their rate of volunteer involvement in their communities and in Extension.

Economic: UK CES and non-profit organizations will experience an increased rate of volunteer involvement as more people select community organizations in which to contribute their time, talents and energies.   Additional volunteer involvement reduces the stress on staff and extends the outreach of the non-profit organization to individuals and audiences which would otherwise be unserved.

Environmental: Teens and adults will make a positive contribution as community volunteers.  This increased level of community involvement will continue throughout their twenties and thirties.  Additionally, communities will experience an increased retention rate as people who are engaged in their communities experience a heightened sense of belonging and are more likely to settle and reside in that community.

Intermediate Outcomes:

·Youth will develop a sense of belonging in their communities, as they become more strongly affiliated with the community through service to a non-profit organization.  

·Youth will master skills related to their specific volunteer role.

·Youth will experience a feeling of generosity as they serve non-profit organizations, their programs and clientele in a volunteer role.

·The number of youth and adults reported to be serving on 4-H Councils and Leadership Boards will increase by 2024.

Initial Outcomes:

·Youth and adults will increase their knowledge of the types of volunteer and service opportunities that are available to them in their communities.

·Youth and adults will increase their knowledge of the non-profit organizations in their communities and the services that they provide.

·Youth and adults will identify non-profit organizations in their communities and the specific types of volunteer roles which they aspire to fulfill and serve.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome

Indicator: Youth and adults will increase their knowledge of types of volunteer and service opportunities that are available to them in their communities. 

Method: Each club will have a civic engagement requirement for members to complete that includes volunteerism. 

Evaluation: Youth will complete before and after surveys. 

Timeline: July 

Intermediate Outcome

Indicator: Increased youth and adult participation on 4-H council and leadership boards. 

Method: Recruitment and retention of quality volunteers and volunteer orientation for youth and adults. 

Evaluation: Quantitative results will be measured at the beginning and end of each program year regarding council and board participation.  

Timeline: June 

Long-term Outcome

Indicator: Teens will become more active as volunteers; increasing the amount of unpaid service that they provide throughout their communities.   Adults will increase their rate of volunteer involvement in their communities and in Extension.

Method: Volunteer education through orientation that will feature volunteerism opportunities throughout the county. 

Evaluation: Volunteers will complete a survey at the beginning and end of volunteer orientation. 

Timeline: June 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Teens 

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Camp Training Manual 

Inputs: 4-H camp orientation, Multi-County Orientation/trainings and Extension Agents and Staff

Date: July 

Audience: Teens & Adults 

Project or Activity: Volunteer Orientation

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Volunteer Administration Academy 

Inputs: Volunteer binders with specific information related to their position description, UKY Volunteer Specialist and Extension Agents and Staff 

Date: September 

Audience: Youth, Teens, and Adults 

Project or Activity: Kentucky Volunteer Forum

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Volunteer Administration Academy and Extension Agents and Staff 

Date: February 

Audience: Elliott County youth attending 4-H camp

Project or Activity: 4-H Camp (several classes)

Content or Curriculum: several 

Date: July 2022

Success Stories